Longer Waits Between Oil Changes Are Okay

Dick Zeitler, during AutoTech 101 on Rochester Today Monday Morning, said improvements in automotive technology and oil refining are allowing vehicle owners to extend the number of miles between oil changes significantly above the tradition recommendation of 3,000 miles.

While I was growing up, my grandfather often repeated his mantra that the key to longevity for a car was changing the oil every 3,000 miles. Grandpa started his lifelong profession as a mechanic working on Model T's as a teenager and I took his advice seriously. That's why it's going to be tought to ignore the odometer when it reaches that magical mark between oil changes and allow the same lubricant to remain in the crank case for a few more miles.

Dick, with around 40 years of experience, has long resisted the automakers' claims that oil changes every 3,000 miles are wasteful, but now says he feels comfortable going 4,000 to 5,000 miles between oil changes.  He says even longer waits are possible for those using 100% synthetic oil in their cars.

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