# What manufacturer's recommendation do you completely ignore? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 18, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818 "2025-06-18T21:05:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/21 "2025-06-19T11:17:58Z")
Food expiry due dates. It’s smell-test all the way for me. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/22 "2025-06-19T11:31:01Z")
I eat Greek yogurt even if it’s a few days past the “best by” date, as long as nothing fuzzy is growing along the top. If I tested my smoke alarms weekly my dog would hate me. Besides, my wife makes pizza every week or two. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/23 "2025-06-19T11:57:50Z")
You’ll love Ol’ Steve, he of the 'Nice Hiss". Even if it doesn’t smell edible, the odds are he’ll still taste it. > **[Steve1989MREInfo](https://www.youtube.com/@Steve1989MRE)** > > Military, Rations, Entertainment, and History. Reviews from the distant past to current! I only post my videos on YT. This is like a virtual museum at times, opening hard to come by shelf stable food relics that many times have not been filmed, or... ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/24 "2025-06-19T12:16:02Z")
I do soak the Brita filter before using. But I don’t fill up the pitcher and discard the contents. I just use it. And I change it about every 3-4 months. Not montly. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/25 "2025-06-19T12:40:50Z")
I do pretty much the opposite. When I go to the oil change place, they put a sticker for the next change something like 3000 miles down the road. I use synthetic, I don’t even start thinking about changing it untill 8000 miles at least. Never had a problem so far as I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/26 "2025-06-19T12:59:09Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Food expiry due dates. It’s smell-test all the way for me. My mother asked me last week If I had some baby powder she could use. So I looked and found some in the back of my bathroom cupboard. So I gave to her and she has been using it. It smells fine and everything. Then I thought to myself I have had this powder for a LONG time I wonder what the expiration date is. So I looked… > **ANSWER** > > **AUGUST 2003** ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/27 "2025-06-19T13:08:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I do pretty much the opposite. When I go to the oil > change place, they put a sticker for the next change something like 3000 miles down the road. I use synthetic, I don’t even start thinking about changing it untill 8000 miles at least. Never had a problem so far as I can tell. One reason I sold my GTI was the pricey service, when I was barely putting any miles on it. So I was pissed when I replaced it w/ a freaking appliance, and they recommended oil changes every 6 months! Now that it is out of warranty, I’m definitely dtretching that. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/28 "2025-06-19T13:16:34Z")
Yeah, for me it’s about 12-18 months that I go on my 2014 Mazda 3. I did the same with my 2004 Mazda 3 that I ran for about 10 years (bought it two years used). I do the same with all my wife’s cars (she’s had three different ones since '04, IIRC). Never any issue. Never any loss of mileage. Never any mechanic saying “HOLY SHIT!! YOUR OIL LOOKS LIKE MUD!” It’s just one of those things I don’t stress about. Which reminds me, I am way overdue even for myself for getting my wife’s oil changed. I think I was supposed to do it around last July. (ETA: Oh shit, I’m _way_ over on this one, even on my schedule. Sticker says 3/24, but I usually add around six to nine months to that. Mileage is more like 12.5K since my last chage, so I had better get on this one.) ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/29 "2025-06-19T13:19:35Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > I never flush flush-able wipes that the manufacturer says is OK to do. as someone who’s brother is a plumber, this is sound advice! ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/30 "2025-06-19T13:28:11Z")
One thing to keep in mind is that there are at least three recommended oil change intervals for a vehicle, and they usually differ: 1. Oil change interval recommended by vehicle manufacturer. 2. Oil change interval recommended by mechanic or service facility (independent garage, quick oil lube place, dealer, etc.). 3. Oil change interval practiced by… you, the car owner. As mentioned above, I tend to ignore #1 and #2. For all my vehicles, I change the oil & filter every 5K to 6K miles. YMMV, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/31 "2025-06-19T14:00:43Z")
> [@rsat3acr](#): > > I never change the oil in my lawn mower and they still last about 10 years. Change the oil in my cars religiously, a much bigger investment. I haven’t changed the oil in my Honda mower for a couple of years at least. I was thinking it was about due, so before I mowed the other day I pulled out the dipstick, expecting the oil to be thick and black and maybe a little low. Nope, it’s full to the top of the stick and looks like I just put it in yesterday. I think I can go another couple years at least. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/32 "2025-06-19T14:09:28Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > YMMV, of course. No, I’ve kept track of that. My mileage hasn’t varied. 😉 d&r ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/33 "2025-06-19T15:31:24Z")
When cooking things in a microwave oven, I usually read the instructions, then set the oven for twice the time at half the power. Or thrice the time at one third the power. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/34 "2025-06-19T15:39:51Z")
I do both. But then my filter is not Brita, it’s a cheapo version with cheapo filters that i get from Amazon, and the water for the first 1 or 2 jugs can be a bit grey ! ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/35 "2025-06-19T15:57:18Z")
I don’t think I’ve run a table saw with a guard on it since, well, as long as I can remember at least. Riving blade, absolutely. Guard, no. All fingers are still intact, last time I checked. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/36 "2025-06-19T16:33:58Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I still stick Q tips in my ear canal. If ever a product warning was given with a broad wink from the manufacturer, that’s the one. They know. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/37 "2025-06-19T16:36:31Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I often place brand new dishes and utensils into service without washing them first. I once became deathly ill after using a brand-new water bottle without washing it out first. So this is now something I do religiously. Like @Crafter_Man I ignore both my vehicles’ manufacturers’ recommended oil change interval (8k miles) and my mechanic’s recommended interval (3k miles – WTF?) and simply change the oil in all my cars every ~5k miles. I’m somewhat more religious about it in my '23 Kia as (a) they’re prone to oil consumption problems and (b) it’s still under warranty. My other cars – a '14 GMC Terrain with 50k miles, an '03 F150 with 155K miles, and a '11 Mustang with 95k miles – I fret less about if the oil change interval runs closer to 6k miles. I run full synthetic in all of them. The F150 has the Triton V8 but is not the problematic 3 valve design so early (3k miles) oil changes aren’t needed. For many of my kitchen appliances I will remove the power cord, which is invariably about 8" long, and replace it with a nice l-o-n-g cord that makes the damn thing actually useable. I’m sure the manufacturers’ lawyers would frown at me for doing so. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/38 "2025-06-19T17:05:52Z")
Lancia, do you have any Lancias? I love the 1300HF and the old Flaminias (Apologies for the sidebar) Edit, its the 1600hf, the V-4 one. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/39 "2025-06-19T17:11:27Z")
My method for testing smoke detectors is when they go off for no reason (and this is inevitable), I wrench them off the ceiling and throw them into the snow (if winter) or a bucket of water outside (if summer). This quiets them. Wish I were kidding. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/40 "2025-06-19T17:11:51Z")
In business this isn’t one to skip. Our floor vendor is replacing a deck for $14000. (Not my deck, a clients). Their hardwood installer set up his cutting station on the deck without protecting it. Got glue and dents all over it. Their site tech went to remove the glue with the recommended solvent but didn’t test in an inconspicuous spot. There are bleached out spots everywhere he used the solvent. I could have had a touch up specialist fix the dents for a few hundred bucks. Now they have to replace the whole deck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818.md?page=3)