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FYI: I just watched a documentary on CBC News Marketplace regarding oil changes on your car. According to car experts and your owner's manuals, your car can go one year until your next oil change or until your indicator light comes on. Now, I'm sure there may be some exceptions, but having oil changes more often is simply "upselling". It is also very expensive with these synthetic oils, so maybe it's time for us to read our car's owner manuals. It's more interesting than the bible, and we can learn something really useful!

DarwinistOne 7 Apr 16
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15 comments

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My car tells me when it wants to have its oil changed. ( Honda CR-V)

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I usually go about double the 3500 interval that is typically recommended. Synthetic oils go even longer. Wouldn't surprise me if that 30K interval mentioned in the comments is accurate. Changing oil every 10K is probably fine. Here's what Edmunds has to say about it: [edmunds.com]

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You are supposed to change the oil?????

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Years ago Click and Clack on Car Talk blushed (on radio) and admitted that most cars can go 30,000 miles. To be honest I NEVER change oil and have NEVER had an engine problem and I buy mine used and drive them for about 10 years. Maybe I am just lucky.

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I have an old Ford Taurus 2003...Valvoline has done me in with upselling with oil changes.I do think older cars burn more oil...have to watch that.

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Interesting conversation.

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Interesting, indeed. I think I'd be too chicken to push it much further than I already do. I usually stare at the "service" light in my car for a week or two before making time to get the oil changed. On my motorcycle, I would do it early or on time - not beyond.

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My vehicle recommends ever 5,000 miles. Personally I try to never go over 4,0000. Oil changes are much cheaper than a new vehicle or engine.

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I burned out an engine on my then beloved Marquis because the indicator light didn't come on. Noping that part from space.

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It still get it gratis at the dealership, It just takes a terribly long time there.
I am going in as they open on next appointment this Saturday, so it may be better. Have usually gone after work.

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I've owned my 95 Ford Ranger since 2000 and have the oil changed reliably at 3,000 miles since I bought it. At the time the standard recommendation was 3K but I'm not sure the synthetic oils were widely available then. Poor little truck has some rough spots, like the fender the deer ran into and the headliner that is in tatters. Couple weeks ago I replaced the idler pulley (standing on the roadside in freezing wind, no less) but otherwise, the old guy (why does my car have a gender??) keeps running pretty smoothly. Being a tightwad, I will continue to tell myself that the 3K oil changes pay off. (Plus they lube, check fluids, brakes, etc at the same time so all is good) 🙂

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Well if you drive every day for lots of miles then I advise more oil changes. really on average mileage like 10,000 per year one, every year is just fine. it's miles that matter and as the oil needs changing every 10,000 and that's average miles for a year it makes sense. oil gets less viscous over time and so much less effective.the manual actually tells you the truth so its a damn sight more relevant than a bible.

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Sure have, and thank you for sharing that.

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Myself, I use synthetic oil and change every 5000 miles.

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Yes you will learn that the oil captures alot of residue, carbon etc. Also you will learn that oil degrades. And finally that oil help keep other key parts of your engine from degrading. So when it turns black and not transparent like when it was filled, change it to avoid more costly problems further down the track.

You are exactly correct. My car is a 2004 Monte Carlo and the owner's manual says change oil every 4,000 miles. The car's computer is set for that and it cannot be set differently. In today's world most people say change oil every 3,000 miles. This last one is usually what I do using "pit crew" at the change station because my car takes the older oil and not the synthetics of today. I can use those but do not have to. This means I get an oil change for less than $25. It also means my old oil is most likely recycled.

@DenoPenno My friend you stated older oil and I thought 2004 is not old and subsequently realized that's almost 15 years ago, Oh My Gosh.

@Nomack I know. Time flies.

the oil will instantly go black or dark after an oil change because of the residue left by the old oil.

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