# Oil Change **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2001, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736 "2001-10-21T20:35:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Big\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@Big\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/41 "2001-10-25T17:15:13Z")
I know, I know, I said brake fluid twice. ---
**Author:** ![Dilbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58f4c7/32.png) [@Dilbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilbert)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/42 "2001-10-25T17:20:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cheezit \* > Having worked in a Chevrolet Dealership Service department for 14 years, (not as a mechanic, though) I can tell you without a doubt that the “Service Engine Soon” light has nothing whatsoever to do with changing the oil. It has to do with the emission system. \*\* I was mistaken about what light is lit. There is a “message center” that will indicate that the oil needs to be changed. Apparently this light knows more about my truck than I do. It will light for 15 seconds after my engine is started if it believes the oil needs to be changed. However the recommended interval is 3000 to 10000 miles. It does say that the oil life monitor will not detect dust, so if it is operated in a dusty environment a 3000 mile oil change is recommended. To reset this sensor the key must be set to the run position and the accelerator must be depressed 3 times in a 5 second interval. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/43 "2001-10-25T17:40:04Z")
I guess I’ll chime in here. I ride my motorcycle, a lot, as in 20k+ a year. I also know other people who ride a lot more than that. I’ve ridden as much as 11k in two weeks without changing the oil. Changing the oil has a lot more to do with how much time the oil sits than how many miles are on it. After my two week adventure the oil was still in ok shape, it was black but not sludge. I know plenty others who do pretty much the same thing, ride a 10k+ then change the oil with no side effects, and these are bikes with 150-200k on them From what I remember it’s not the oil braking down that does the damage it’s more the acids that build up in the oil. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/44 "2001-10-25T18:47:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Edward The Head \* > \*\* > From what I remember it’s not the oil braking down that does the damage it’s more the acids that build up in the oil. \*\* BINGO. The ability to lubricate goes well beyond the point at which the oil loses it cleaning ability, it’s conditioning ability and the acid level. Lubrication ability lasts longer than other oil abilities. Also, when you drain your oil, you still leave behind a fair amount of oil, so the older oil leaves behind contaminents on top of more contaminents, etc. You could change you oil every 10k and not have any lubrication issues, but you would have placed yourself in a very high risk category for failures of seals and gaskets. Your poor seals with result in pollution, poor drivability, a messy driveway, poorer MPG, a dirty driveway, and dirty hands from needin’ to top off the oil that has leaked out. Yep, you can drive that puppy to 150 or 200k, all with no major engine parts failing. But you’ll have a leaky, stinky mess, or just be lucky that none of the gaskets or seals in your engine failed. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/45 "2001-10-25T21:38:21Z")
All recent BMW’s tell you when it is time to change the oil. They mainly use engine hours, rpms, and throttle position to decide as opposed to mileage. However, the change interval usually averages out to 9-11k miles. ---
**Author:** ![phartizan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@phartizan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phartizan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/46 "2001-10-25T22:34:58Z")
We don’t drive that much, mostly weekly shopping with one long trip a year. (Car is 16 years old, but has less than 90,000 mi. on it). So is there even less reason to change oil every three months? ---
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/47 "2003-01-03T16:13:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doctor Jackson \* > \*\*I have seen research in Consumer Reports, Car Talk, and several other reputable media outlets which all state that there is no difference in engine wear between 3000 mile oil changes and 6000 mile oil changes. > > \*\* hmmm Interesting thread… I would sure like to see those reports. Oil changes at 3,000 miles have always seemed like cheap insurance to me. .02 ---
**Author:** ![mrcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@mrcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrcrow)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/48 "2003-01-03T16:32:05Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by JAPrufrock \* \*\*In fact, of the three cars I’ve owned, 2 Japaneese, one German, they all say to go in to your local dealership for a nice, costly oil change. \*\* [QUOTE] my new VW golf is on a once a year service schedule of 10,000 miles max i used to change on my old car at 6,000 imho there cant be many new car manufacturers insisting on shorter periods for oil changes.?? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/49 "2003-01-03T18:38:55Z")
I used to change my oil whenever I needed a haircut. Worked great. I did drive app. 4k/month, though. ---
**Author:** ![hammerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hammerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hammerbach)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/50 "2003-01-03T19:27:16Z")
I have oil problems in my bike this time of year. With the temperatures this low, I get a LOT of moisture buildup and foam in the oil. Fortunately, it leaks, and I top it up continually. AArgh! ---
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736/51 "2003-01-09T17:55:03Z")
Does anyone have any experience using Mobil 1 oil? I was offered it at my last oil change, but declined it. Now I’ve read up on it a little and am going to put it in one of our other vehicles today. It sounds very good. It better be! About $5.00 a quart… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-change/88736.md?page=2)