Filed under: Maintenance
7,500-mile oil change becoming new standard
As more vehicles come with synthetic motor oils from the factory, oil change interval recommendations have begun to increase. It looks like 7,500 miles is the new adapted standard. The synthetic oils experience less thermal breakdown and evaporative loss over time compared with conventional oil, which allows for less frequent oil services. Some vehicles have even forgone the traditional dipstick in favor of sensors that determine oil level and adjust the service interval in real time based on your driving habits. However, the decrease in oil changes also means a decrease in service business for dealerships. Dealers rightfully fear a reduction in customer retention and are unsure of the long run effect. Many have found solutions in prepaid maintenance contracts and complete service package deals such as combining tire rotation with your oil service. Also, despite their fears, dealerships won't completely lose out on regular customers as there will always be those reluctant to change their 5,000-mile oil change habit. Plus, there are many people who know the abuse they put their engine through, or don't trust electronic sensors and like to ride on the safe side with frequent oil changes.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
SOhp101 3:38PM (12/03/2007)
What do you mean 5k old oil habit? I know plenty of people that are still convinced 3k is necessary.
I stick with 5k (even though I have synthetic) just because of all the stop/go traffic and short drives I take in LA. If I lived in the suburbs, I probably would up it to 7.5k, or maybe even 10k.
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seoultrain 3:54PM (12/03/2007)
my god, my mom told me some person on the radio recommended changing oil every 1500 miles. Wasn't a commercial either.
People are ridiculous.
Torben Busk 3:55PM (12/03/2007)
This sounds nasty. I feel for you americans. My Skoda Octavia TDi (2001) calls for service every 30-50.000 kilometers (18.441 to 31.068 miles) depending on how nice I drive.
Since I commute about 62 miles a day, most miles are slow and steady, and normally the service indicator goes off at about 30.000 miles. Since the Skoda shares engines with VW Passat, Jetta and Golf, this should be the same over there. -Or what
raz 1:06PM (12/04/2007)
Ten gears copied an article from Wall Street Journals top car guy...he says go with what the car says..
http://www.tengears.com/home/2007/12/2/should-you-rely-on-car-computer-for-oil-change.html
Also check out this diesel fuel article
http://www.tengears.com/home/2007/12/3/will-new-diesel-fuel-harm-older-engines.html
Nitro 7:33PM (11/23/2008)
I have been using Amsoil since 1974. I change oil and filter once a year and have between 18,000 and 22,000 miles on my vehicles at year end. I trade at 100,000 miles usually. I have never had an engine issue or oil consumption problems. I had an increase in mpg on all but one vehicle. Ditch to old stuff and don't believe those who insist you need to change at 3,000 miles. They haven't kept up with the times.
compy386 3:44PM (12/03/2007)
I told a friend who just bought a new Focus that oil changes are only required ever 7.5K miles. She told me though that her family mechanic changes her oil for free every 3K and that's what he recommends. I don't quite know why he'd do it for free unless he personally feels it's better for the engine. Does anyone want to chime in on this? Is he wrong?
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k.w.a 3:48PM (12/03/2007)
giving free oil changes makes him sound crazy enough. but i'm used to changing it every 7.5k so i don't know whether every 3k is better or not. sounds like u'd be getting your oil changed pretty often
Judy Zik 7:09PM (12/03/2007)
That's an old trick. Some car dealerships do it too. The whole idea is they get her to come in every 3 months for her "free" oil change and then while she is there I am sure the "nice" mechanic always finds something that needs to be fixed. Mechanics don't hand out oil for free.
We change my oil every 3 months or 3000kms. I don't do that much driving anymore so it is generally the 3 months and we only use Synthetic. I would rather be cautious. My cars last longer than my interest in them and I have never blown an engine so I would say it works for me and by the time it is due for a change the colour is changing.
Hooper 9:07PM (12/03/2007)
Judy, I recall hearing Tom & Ray say on Car Talk many years ago that in their opinion, you can wait six months to change your oil if you don't put a lot of miles on your car. The manual of my sister's '04 BMW 325xi says it can go a year between oil changes.
Bryan 10:45PM (12/03/2007)
There is no harm done in changing your oil more frequently than the recommended mileage. In my 2001 Hyundai Sonata manual it also recommends that I change my oil every 7500 miles. I change it between 5000-7500 miles. I'm not sure if there's any benefit from changing your oil so frequently but it won't hurt for sure. If you have money to spend (waste), then change it every 3000 miles.
3000GT TwinTurbo 3:44PM (12/03/2007)
synthetic can break down just as fast depending on the weight. The digger difference between the 2 viscocity numbers, the quicker its gonna break down...especially if your at all aggressive.
I change my oil every 3000 miles, and use only Mobil 1 15w50. Oil is not something you wanna gamble with.
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3000GT TwinTurbo 3:49PM (12/03/2007)
*Bigger*
ESPECIALLY for any forced induction vehicle (turbocharger, supercharger).
taipeileviathan 3:47PM (12/03/2007)
i'm sorry, i hate to have to do this...
... just kidding, i love it. the phrase is "new adOpted standard", not "new adApted standard". bite me. :P
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oil oil man 3:47PM (12/03/2007)
It is cheaper to change your oil every 5k miles with the cheapest dino oil you can find and install a new engine at 100k miles than to use synthetic oil every 3-5k.
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Guenther 4:08PM (12/03/2007)
If you plan on buying a new motor at 100k, don't bother with oil changes- just keep 'er full. It'll hold that long no problem.
oil oil man 3:49PM (12/03/2007)
Porsche recommends every 20,000 miles for the 911. (no typo)
But it has a dry sump with gallons of oil in it. (16 quarts I think?)
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Gil 3:56PM (12/03/2007)
Porsche cars/SUV use anywhere from 9 to 9.8quarts of oil depending on the engine.
07 and older cars regular maint duty schedule is 20000 miles and severe maint duty sch is every 10k or 1 yr.
For 08 they cut the reg maint sch to 12000 miles or 1yr .
paul34 6:42PM (12/03/2007)
Plenty of higher-end cars have even bigger service intervals. For example, the Mercedez S-Class has a 15,000 mile service interval.
Mallory 3:49PM (12/03/2007)
It's nice to see service dealers putting the bottom line before doing what's right for the customer. Of course what business truly puts the needs of the customer before it's own.
The 7500m interval is great, but there are still lots of companies and advisors out there that latch onto the 3k mile oil change interval with a death grip when it comes to warranty claims and the fact that you use Mobil 1 makes no difference to them.
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Whiplash 3:51PM (12/03/2007)
My dad has always changed his own oil every 2500-3000 miles. I asked him why he does it so often and his reply: "Oil is cheap, why shouldn't I?". I can't really argue with him. Both of his Toyotas have over 225k on them.
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