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"Oil changes every 3,000 miles: not for everyone"

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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 03:02 AM
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Default "Oil changes every 3,000 miles: not for everyone"

Has anyone read this article in the "L. A. Times" HIGHWAY 1 section, 02/27/08?


http://www.latimes.com/classified/au...04,print.story

(sorry mods if I'm not allowed to give link)

My favorite quote: "A yearlong survey of motorists, concluded in January 2006, found that 73% of California drivers change their oil more frequently than recommended by their vehicle manufacturer. I wonder whether these folks get their teeth cleaned more frequently than recommended by their dentist."

Gist of the article: think green before your next LOF change. ("...the state of California has a different message: Unnecessary oil changes are wasting money for consumers and creating millions of gallons of hazardous waste in the form of used oil. [...] state officials are asking motorists to follow the recommendations of vehicle manufacturers printed in the owners manuals, which often specify oil changes at 7,000 miles or more. The officials say this would save 21.6 million gallons of oil waste a year.")

Let the debate begin...
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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 04:33 AM
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This is why I like pure synthetic, the stuff I requested was for 7k oil changes. This also makes getting the tires rotated more convenient.

My pops basic Silverado truck has an oil computer. It basically, by using calculations of engine conditions when the vehicle needs the change. Usually, on regular oil, it tells him to change at 7.5k.
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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 05:19 PM
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Always follow your owners manual for oil change. 5k is the new 3k for most engines running conventional oil.
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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 10:26 PM
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3k is OVERKILL. I'll stick with the 5k - Synthetic Oil change
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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 10:27 PM
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I might add that unless your engine is under extreme working conditions..constant towing and off-roading..it probably isn't necessary to do 3K oil changes (unless it's your FIRST oil change)
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 12:46 PM
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i do it whenever the car tells me to do it. which is like 4500. but i read the manual it says 5k miles or 6 months. right now i drove only 2k and its been over 6 months. should i change it or just wait till 4500-5000 miles?
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by wolverine
the manual it says 5k miles or 6 months
I think the answer is obvious.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 01:25 PM
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3k is a nice minimum, but it depends on where and what you are using. Vehicles driven here in Mexico City will see greater shearing effects with the same oil than they will say in Los Angeles. We've got hills, lower oxygen content, not to mention driving habits that make my uncle and I happy because we wind up getting a lot of business at the shop after vehicles are driven into the ground.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by BDSL
I think the answer is obvious.
man i drive the damn car like 1500 miles in 6 months. im just gonna leave it till 5k miles.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 01:52 PM
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If you can't afford to do a simple oil change, you shouldn't even own a Lexus.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 02:57 PM
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LOL wow, cant afford is different than dont want to bub
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 04:29 PM
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I only change my oil every 10 to 12 months. But then again i only put less then 3k miles a year.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by BDSL
If you can't afford to do a simple oil change, you shouldn't even own a Lexus.
So, if someone owns a Lexus, they should throw their money away doing oil changes at 3K miles to prove they can afford the car, right?

Interesting.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by link13
So, if someone owns a Lexus, they should throw their money away doing oil changes at 3K miles to prove they can afford the car, right?

Interesting.

yes it is interesting. personally I'd rather spend money on mods.
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 08:51 PM
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Reguardless of miles, you should still have your oil changed twice a year. Id stick to 5k oil changes, or 6 months, whichever comes first.
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