3-5k Oil Changes are a Scam, Here's Why

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[ryanroland]

You're just simply wrong. Yes, oil lasts longer these days, but it is about ridding your engine of contamination in the oil with every oil change.

[brianherndon]

The question is why push it though when it's an easy, pretty inexpensive process to ensure a good life of the motor?

[frankv]

The Car Care Nut has taken countless engines apart I think I’ll take his word for 5k intervals

[Mt-zexe]

The “Im a Jeep fan” shirt explains a lot.

[randomgoodies]

3-6k oil changes make 200k+ mile motors. Seen it myself many times. Bought multiple vehicles that were changes religiously every 5k miles and I’m still driving them at 230, 247, and 248k miles

[pineychristian]

Changing oil above 5000 miles is a scam from the manufacturers. There is a video on youtube where i guy changed his oil every 10k on his Toyota from the Toyota dealer. It blew up around 130k. He should easily get 200k plus out of a Toyota with proper maintenance. They found because of his lack of maintenance and changing oil so long is what cause the issue. Oil is cheaper then blowing up an engine. They have never figured out how to keep oil from breaking down with very long maintenance intervals. Thats because the oil gets contaminated with fuel over time. Change your oil

[hasani]

Cars with 10, 000 mile oil changes will never last to over 200, 000 miles engine will end up with alot of blow by

[Concepts]

*Ford 3.5 Ecoboost enters the chat*

The longer interval has been linked to the phaser and chain wear issues.

[BRONZE_ROCK]

I do mine every 5000 miles just because it give me time to inspect and do maintenance

[ohhaiJess]

🤡🤣 people just come online, and suddenly they're experts. If you want your engine to last DO NOT listen to this guy

[kevintucker]

Turbocharged engines need more often oil changes. Direct injected engines need more often oil changes simply because of the fuel mixing into the oil fairly quickly.

[markalexander]

I change my oil and rotate my tires every 5, 000 miles. 3, 000 seems a little excessive unless you run your car/truck really hard. Changing oil is not that expensive nor difficult, so even if I can stretch it to 10, 000, I would rather be safe and do it every 5, 000.

[mckreations]

Its not the oil breakdown that is the problem. Its the contamination of water and excess fuel accumulating in the oil and never getting burned off because people tend to drive short distances of only a few miles and the engine never gets a chance to heat up and burn off the excess fuel and naturally occurring condensation. The oil itself is fine its the build up of fuel that naturally gets past the rings into the oil and the water tha build up in the oil and contaminates it there by compromising the lubricity of the oil. If you do highway driving and longer distances than 2 miles to the store and back then you can go longer. Easiest way is pull the dipstick and simply smell the oil for excessive smell of fuel!

[freddyhollingsworth]

the issue is most cars over 10-12 years old with 150, 000+ miles will burn 1 qt of engine oil every 1, 500-2, 000 miles and if you go 10, 000 miles, your engine will be so low on oil, it will blow up....NO ONE CHECKS OIL LEVELS ANY MORE!!! at least at the 3, 000 mile oil change-it was only 1-2 quarts low.

[MtnBadger]

This BS propaganda and basic misunderstanding of what the job of the oil does is why so many people have *early engine failure.*
The first thing that should always be discussed/disclosed is the fact that a "10, 000 mi." oil change is based on *ideal driving conditions." If you hardly ever engage in stop and go driving (city driving), only operate your car in moderate climates (40°f - 80°f temps, max), never pull trailers and or don't drive on steep grades (stay out of the mountains) and don't use your car for commercial purposes (taxi, Uber or food delivery) then you can *possibly* get by with 10k mi. changes, as outlined by the oil manufacturers. An oil analysis will confirm the serviceability of the oil.
Great, the oil lasts longer and cleans better *but, * the oil still manages to pick up and contain all the contamination, carbon and metal particulate mater...
The oil, itself may not break down as fast as old tech oils, lasting longer in service life, etc. *but...* This does not mean that the oil magically dissipates all of the engine contaminates, carbon build up and metal particulate that accumulates in the oil, which inturn creates negative effects in the engine's functions.
It's the *wear of the engine, * not the ability of the oil to "keep going without breaking down" that determines when your oil should be changed. Oil breakdown is only *one element* to consider in its function to protect the engine.
Regardless of what the oil manufacturers and car manufacturers try to tell you, countless certified, independent automotive technicians, like myself, after years upon years of experience (I started working on cars in 1974) and observing the results of different oils and the milage and type of service the engine is used for, the vast majority of techs will agree that more frequent oil changes (much less than the 8k-10k mi. recommended life) is the *number one thing* that a vehicle owner can do to lengthen the service life of their vehicle, *period.*
There is too much imperial evidence to deny this and people keep looking at the wrong thing when trying to figure this all out. Don't look at the predicted life of your oil, look at the wear and tear on friction surfaces and carbon deposit build-up in your engine. With modern oils, great as they are, *5, 000 miles* IS the best service cycle for an oil change in modern, combustion engines, 3, 000 in older vehicles because the components aren't as durable as modern production parts and design. And if nothing else, why not err to the side of caution and spend a few dollars more to *guarantee* your best engine life rather than try to hope and gamble that the oil will miraculously last 2-3 times longer *without allowing any extra wear* and not allow any wear/damage to your engine. Why save a few bucks just to possibly end up spending *thousands* in premature repair costs?? That makes *no* sense.
Just put all the questions and debates and arguments aside, listen to the thousands of experienced (I'm talking decades, not people in the business for a few years who still function on what they are told is right) technicians who have learned from *hard observation* and just change your damned oil!! 😊

[connor]

Direct injection is tougher on oil, and higher temperatures may shorten oil life as well. Cant go wrong doing synthetic every 5k. If i was gonna go longer i would run amsoil signature and do oil analysis. Also dont use diesel oil in direct injection gas engines, it can result in preignition. Theres a good video on here somewhere that talks about gas direct injection oil differences.

[kiefershanks]

5000 mile oil changes are the sweet spot between protecting your engine and economy IMHO. Sure you can go longer but there are plenty of people with proof that 10, 000 could create more problems long term.

[bighomieJX]

U forgot to mention the oil filters, that plays a huge role in oil change intervals.

[Crunchifyable]

A lab tests cost the same as an change. With fuel dilution becoming a bigger problem nowadays I don't think better oil is a solution.

[petrolhead]

With diesels, maybe otherwise change your oil frequently people!!!! 10-15k km/mile oil intervals are for frequently used highway driving vehicles. Frequent stop&start, city driving, vehicles that sit idle or/and unused extended periods of time will need 3-5k miles/ 7-10k km 6 months-1 year intervals.One last thing even tho oil is way more robust than before it still cannot with stand common contaminants like moisture(cars that sit unused alot are especially at risk), fuel( gasoline is a strong solvent that will breakdown your oil and with direct injection its even worse) and combustion gasses(especially CO2, it will drop your oil's pH and if you keep your interval long, your oil will become acidic and accelarate wear inside the engine)