3000 Mile Oil Change Is A Myth

This same scenario no doubt repeats itself across the country. Besides wasting money, this translates into unnecessary consumption of a lot of imported oil.

Using 2005 data, the California Integrated Waste Management Board estimates that Californians alone generate about 153.5 million gallons of waste oil annually, of which only about 60 percent is recycled.

Used motor oil poses the greatest environmental risk of all automotive fluids because it is insoluble, persistent, and contains heavy metal and toxic chemicals. One gallon of used oil can foul the taste of one million gallons of water.

It has been a misconception for years that engine oil should be changed every 3000 miles, even though most auto manufacturers now recommend oil changes at 5,000, 7,000, or even 10,000 mile intervals under normal driving conditions.

Greatly improved oils, including synthetic oils, coupled with better engines mean longer spans between oil changes without harming an engine. The 3000 mile interval is a carryover from days when engines used single-grade, non-detergent oils.