Posted on 01/06/2012 3:07:32 PM PST by Michael.SF.
When was the last time state tax dollars went toward telling you not to do something?
Ads against drunk driving, certainly. Perhaps ads against smoking cigarettes.
But now, California is embarking on a campaign to persuade its citizens not to change their oil so much.
More modern motor oils, better control of the combustion process through vastly more powerful electronic circuitry, and the persistence of generations-old auto advice have combined to lengthen oil-change intervals.
Yet many of us change our oil more often than we need to.
In California, in fact, roughly half of all drivers change their oil every 3,000 miles—or even more often!—despite manufacturers' recommended intervals for new cars that may be a multiple of that number.
And that, says California's Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, wastes oil that could potentially have a far longer life.
According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, the department has launched an ad campaign to encourage owners to be aware of the recommended oil-change interval for their car.
The tagline "Check Your Number," is also the domain name for a website that links owners to a website that gives the the carmaker's recommended interval—these days, often 7,500 to 15,000 miles—for their specific vehicle.
That links to some general advice about what the number means, along descriptions of unusual driving patterns that might require more frequent oil changes. Other more standard advice: Keep your tires properly inflated and switch off the engine if the car is stopped for more than a few seconds.
If every driver moved to the recommended oil-change interval, says a department spokesman, 10 million gallons of engine oil could be saved each year.
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
add some Duralube
In California, in fact, roughly half of all drivers change their oil every 3,000 miles—or even more often!—despite manufacturers’ recommended intervals for new cars that may be a multiple of that number.
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I’m calling BS on that. I’m in the automobile remarketing industry. It’s common to see cars that are 5 to 10 thousand miles past the oil change due date.
I see fleet lease cars, rental cars, you name it. NO ONE changes their oil at 3,000.
I once encountered an official-looking sign over the TP roll in an Army data center bathroom that read, "Why Use Two When One Will Do?"
I once had a 1992 Ford Escort wagon. I got 123K miles on it and only changed the oil once at about 65K miles. The engine ran like a champ and was getting over 36 mpg on trips just before I sold it. I loved that little car.
"If everyone would inflate their tires, and get regular tune ups, we could save as much oil as they want to drill for." Speaking of drops in the bucket...
And that, says California's Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, wastes oil that could potentially have a far longer life.
This is BS. The builders started recommending longer intervals back about 1970(a little sooner I think)because they knew most people traded a car in before it wore out. They did it as a selling point, since it was recommended, when I was a boy and young man, that cars changed oil every 1,000 miles. Stating that you could change oil every 6,000 miles made a good selling point. The fact is however that changing oil every 3,000 miles will make your engine last longer. The only time you should go longer intervals is with synthetic oil.
It is none of the governments business how often someone changes oil. Besides, the oil can be recycled and usually is. No one throws oil away these days what with the EPA waiting to throw your butt in jail if you are caught doing it.
To read this article one would think the oil is just dumped instead of recycled.
Being cheap helps. I never change oil until 5000 miles. Over the years have saved lots of money....
I religiously change the oil on my Silverado 8.1 gas engine before 2000 miles, in the winter some point just after 1500 miles as that is when the oil will break down faster from cold starts and getting a richer fuel content.
And I always use Rotella T-6 full synthetic 5-40. During the winter months I do add one quart of Amsoil 5-20 and a half pint of Marvel Mystery oil to help starting when it gets down below -20F.
Are there any advantages to synthetic?
Yes.
There are several grades of synthetic.
Synthetics have the parrafin filtered out (wax) that will still be in regular motor oils. This helps prevent burning/carbon deposits from building up in the engine. Also the chains of hydrocarbons in synthetics are more or less the same size, versus a lot of varying lengths in regular motor oil, so there is less breakdown of the oil over time and less ‘engine gunk’ created by the breakdown. This can help the oil perform better on startup, and at both temperature extremes.
And if you go over the recommended oil change miles, because of all this, synthetics will offer greater protection and better protection than regular motor oil will.
Overall yes, especially in cold climates and extreme hot climates, you really want the straight dope on oil go to
www.bobistheoilguy.com
‘Change your oil,’’Inflate your tires’ and ‘wear sweaters.’ Gad, the president’s a JERK.
‘Change your oil,’’Inflate your tires’ and ‘wear sweaters.’ Gad, the president’s a JERK.
But admit it, you were adding a quart every 1000 miles or so. It simply isn't possible, even with the best oil for there to be ANY oil left in the crankcase after 65k miles. It will break down and boil off.
My 2 cents-Rotella T6 synthetic 5W-40 in the diesel, Mobil 1 synthetic 0W-20 in the Miata, 10W-30 whatever in the old F150. 5,000 mile intervals. The Sportster gets straight 50 weight, changed in spring and fall, regardless of mileage.
Oil is cheap (and it does get recycled) compared to parts and $80 an hour shop rates. Suit yourself.
The Army does not do oil changes based on time or mileage anymore. Oil is sampled and the samples lab tested for contaminates (metal particles in particular). Only when the quality of the oil falls below a certain threshold is the oil changed.
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