The 3000 Miles / 3 Months Oil Change Scam

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August 28th, 2009 | cashrunner | Posted in Frugality

The 3000 miles / 3 months oil change rule has got to be one of the most successful automotive scams ever. Don’t fall for it and save money.

If there’s anything most of know about auto maintenance, then it’s the notion that we are supposed to have an oil change every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes earlier. If you fail to get your oil change within the prescribed interval, then your car will break down pretty soon.

At least, that is what the oil change industry would have you believe. But just because they can put a little sticker on your windshield and tell you to come back in 3 months, does that mean you actually should?

It turns out the 3000 miles / 3 months oil change is just a myth promoted by the oil change industry. Of course, they would like you to have more oil changes than you really need because that just means more money in their pockets.

The yardstick they are using might have had a scientific basis forty years ago but certainly not now given all the advances in motor oil quality.

In its December 2006 issue, Consumer Reports had the following to say:

“Although oil companies and quick-lube shops like to promote this idea [that engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles], it’s usually not necessary. Go by the recommended oil-change schedule in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Most vehicles driven under normal conditions can go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Some models now come with a monitoring system that alerts the driver when the oil needs changing. Depending on driving conditions, these can extend change intervals to 10,000 or 15,000 miles.”

Consumer Reports recommends the recommended oil-change schedule in your owner’s manual. There’s no reason to think the schedule in your manual is less strict than it should be. If anything, it’s safe to assume that the manufacturer’s recommended oil-change schedule is going to be overly conservative in order to shield the manufacturer from potential lawsuits.

Photo Credit: modenadude

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