The rule of thumb when it comes to oil changes is once every 3,000 miles, as recommended by industry professionals. However, whereas some people believe that an oil change every 3,000 miles is the best possible thing for your engine in terms of its functionality and longevity, others will argue that doing just that will squander a lot of time, money and oil and create hazardous waste.
The actual schedule for oil changes depends upon numerous factors. A newer engine, for example, will require fewer changes than an older engine. When you buy a brand new car, the first fifty thousand miles are the easiest. However, as the miles increase, you may need to change the oil more frequently. Moreover, engine design can vary from make to make, and model to model. A dossier published by the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery shows the average recommended distance between oil changes to be roughly 4,800 miles for vehicles built by Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Mazda, Hyundai, Chrysler and Honda between 2005 and 2007. According to this document, a 2005 Honda Accord can go for 10,000 miles before an oil change, but a 2007 Toyota Camry’s oil should be changed every 5,000 miles.
Another factor is not just how often you change your oil, but what type of oil you use. Many industry professionals recommend that synthetic motor oils should be used in high-performance engines in the interest of reducing engine wear and deposit build-up as well as enhancing engine performance, increasing fuel economy and making it easier for the car to start up in cold temperatures. Moreover, many people who drive European cars made by such companies as Porsche, Maserati, Bentley, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lamborghini recommend against American-made motor oils, because they feel that these oils are inferior and harmful to the car’s engine. As a matter of fact, many manufacturers and dealers of vehicles made by Audi, Porsche and Saab state that if you do not use fully synthetic motor oil, your warranty will become void. This is because basic motor oil will clog the oil lines leading to the engine head and the oil pickup tube itself. Both of these situations will lead to oil starvation in crucial engine components, regardless of whether or not the oil is at its appropriate level. Naturally, this will result in needless damage to the engine.
To decide how often you should change your oil and which type of oil you should use, it is always best to consult the owner’s manual for your car, being that maintenance necessities vary between makes and models. The 3,000-mile rule will not bring any undue harm upon your engine, but it is still a good idea to use your own best judgment.