Oil changes: How often do you need them? (Marketplace)

How often should you change your engine oil? In a hidden camera investigation, we test what you're told at the dealership and then actually test your engine oil in a lab to see who's right.

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[jessejess]

For anyone that’s thinking “oh hey I don’t have to change my oil for a year” please do not forget to check your oil level between intervals

[joshuabower]

For everyone who thinks that oil lasts 20k miles or once a year needs to remember - oil is cheap, engines are not

[catlover]

The manufacturer does NOT have your best interest in mind. They just want it to last to the end of the warranty period. Extended oil changes and lifetime transmission fluids were all about lowering the "cost of ownership" I had a 2004 Toyota Camry and was following the maintenance schedule. Then at the 90, 000 mile service, some services like transmission fluid change were now check fluid. When I questioned the change, they said to lower the "cost of ownership." Probably because Toyota's appeared expensive to maintain. Manufacturers really don't want you to keep your car 300, 000 miles. They need to sell you a new car. 😅

[mrbriancandoanything]

GM always said to wait for the oil light to come. I waited like it says and it never came on until 11k miles each time and then, I immediately got the oil changed. Come to find out, it ruined the timing chain on my Chevrolet Cruze because the oil needed to be changed more often. Cost me $2790! What is cheaper, an oil change every 5, 000 miles or $2790 for a timing change? You do the math! Waiting that long always gummed up the engine! I’ll stick to every 5, 000 miles!

[LGrice]

“The oil they use in the beginning is so pure” lol

[elmo]

It also depends on the type of driving you mostly doing. If it’s mostly short journeys there’s more cold starts than mostly long journeys so the oil will degrade quicker.

[chadwaller]

It's not an "oil change monitoring system". There's no sensor measuring the oil. It's just the computer calculating when it should be changed.

[txryder]

Extended oil change intervals are due to government regulations imposed on new car manufactures and are driven by the environmental concerns and not the wear concerns. So, of course the owner's manual will reflect that.
The new car dealerships are branded independent businesses and can recommend what they feel is best for the engine.

[pindiwal]

Depends on how the car is driven. Can be anywhere from 3, 000-10, 000 miles. Stop n go delivery cars change at 3, 000 miles, whereas everyday highway driving cars change at 10, 000 miles. Also depends on which kinda oil and filter.

[robertmiller]

Don’t trust a mechanic that drives a dodge nitro

[yiranjack]

2:42, "the oil they use at the beginning is so pure." Lmao. You should be fired sir.

[erichartke]

What the owners manual also states is that the oil change intervals is based on ideal driving conditions.

[addy]

Oil is cheap. Engine costs a ton. The choice is yours. Quoted from scotty kilmer

[davoexile]

I change my own engine oil - fraction of the price. It's really not hard folks.

[Marc]

I owned a 1972 442 with a 455 that had dual exhausts and the W-31 camshaft. I changed the oil every 3 months. I ran it from 1971 to 2000. It eventually actually fell apart because of rust, But the engine was running just as good at that point as the day I got it.

[piecar]

As a mechanic, all I can say is.. IT DEPENDS. If you do alot of extended highway driving you can go longer on oil changes(no more than 10000 miles) If you short trip or do alot of in town driving then definitely change sooner(3000 miles).
You also have to keep in mind the quality of the oil filter which is just as important if not MORE important than the oil. Oil is tightly regulated and tested and most oils perform really well, filters not so much .Do not put quality oil in your car with a cheap filter. Filter quality roughly matches price so its difficult to go wrong.
The goal is to change the oil when it reaches below an optimum performance level. Better to change sooner than later. Why risk pushing the oil past its limit?

[kylecubel]

The manufacturer only warranties the powertrain for 60, 000 miles. Following the oil life monitor will ensure the powertrain at least makes it this far. I could not say how many engines I've seen have an internal lubricated part failure at about 100k. When quizzing the customer about oil changes, "when the car told me to". Keep your oil clean it's less expensive than a new engine.

[MiMiOrt]

When u're NOT from Canada but still watch because they're more informative than where u live...

[danielsprouls]

I am a bit old school when I went synthetic I went all the way up to 4000 miles. I know it cost me quite a bit over the life of the vehicle and I am good with that. Currently I have a small local mechanic doing the work. If he finds something wrong we fix it. The chain establishment I went to before had a lot of recommendations for service. You kind of had to sort through them. My hemi engine has small oil galleries and is known for burning out lifter rollers and eating cans. $1500 over the life of my truck seems cheap.

[germanzamarripa]

You can tell a difference in performance and fuel use when you change the oil. Huge difference. I’m a self employed truck driver and I can tell a difference on my rig. And using the right oil on your vehicle matters