On Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:17:49 -0500, Steve Barker
wrote:

On 8/26/2011 11:57 AM, ed_h wrote:
On Aug 26, 10:53 am, Steve wrote:
On 8/24/2011 9:02 PM, Metspitzer wrote:

All the oil change places still put 3000 in the window sticker.

Good advice. Oil SHOULD be changed every 3000 miles.

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

What is the source of this wisdom?


dirt. The basic design of the engine has not changed. Aluminum
bearings (basically) aluminum pistons, and cast iron crank and
cylinders. Oil gets dirty., doesn't matter how much the oil costs, or
how fancy the vehicle is. The oil still gets dirty in about 3000 miles.
(given an approximate 5 quart capacity). Larger sumps can go
proportionally longer.

The big killer is combustion byproducts. Since engines are a lot cleaner
burning than they once were, this is reduced somewhat. The manuals on my cars
recommend 7500mi for light service and 3000mi for severe duty. Look up the
meaning of "severe duty" and it includes pretty much everything except
non-stop interstate driving in 70F, dry, weather.