Should motorists change their vehicle's oil every 3,000 miles? This question has different answers, depending upon a number of different conclusions. The video shows why our views of the "3 month 3,000 mile" traditional oil change intervals need to be adjusted. You will have to sort out the information to determine what is best for you and your car. We objectively outline the 4 different perspectives:
1. What auto manufactures say in their owner's manual.
2. What your specific driving habits are.
3. The ecology and environment.
4. Your car repair and service economy.
Here is our explanation: 1. What auto manufactures say in their owner's manual.
A recent survey by CalRecycle indicates almost 15 million Californians change their motor oil every 3,000 miles or less. However, many cars can go farther. For example, Toyota recommends an oil change every 5,000 miles for a 2005 Tacoma pickup, while General Motors recommends 7,500 miles for its 2007 Chevrolet Malibu.
If you wish to follow the owners' manual (like you do for your oven, lawnmower, television and coffee maker), you need to read the suggested oil change intervals in the owners manual that apply to "severe driving conditions". What does this mean? 2. What your specific driving habits are.
Pay attention to the video portion from 1:20 to 2:35. Matt Snider explains for those GM cars equipped with instrument panel displays of oil life consumption, how these different driving conditions affect oil life.
Just as an athlete's metabolism differs from that of a pre-school student and a senior citizen, your car's engine (and thus, the engine oil that lubricates it) is affected by the driving conditions to which you submit your car. Severe driving conditions include:
Extreme weather temperatures. "Severe" driving includes extreme hot (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City, New York City, Dallas, Miami, gates of Hell-you get the idea) and extreme cold (Lake Tahoe, Salt Lake City, Boise, Montana, Chicago, New York City, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Canada, North Pole, Antartica, Superman's hideaway-you get the picture). Ambient temperatures-cold and hot-break down engine oil at a faster rate than moderate temperatures. So, unless you drive in Ecuador ( 65 degrees 12 months a year), chances are you drive in temperatures that fit severe driving.
Stop and go city driving. Yes, your average, every day, "go-to-the-mall/go-to-the-store/go-on-a-date/take-the-kids-to-their-games" kind of driving is considered "severe". Why? Because, you stop and go! Accelerating, braking, speeding up, slowing down-all of that produces undue strain on your engine (and engine oil), than cruising along at 65 MPH (or 85 MPH with your radar detectors) along the smooth open freeways and highways (LA and Orange County California freeways excepted) of America.
High RPM driving. Notice we (and Matt in the video) did not say MPH (miles per hour), but rather RPM (engine Revolutions Per Minute). Young people in their Camaros, adults in their Porsches and Lamborghinis, and wannabe NASCAR. Indy Car, and "Gone In 60 Seconds" drivers who rev their engines down city streets are considered severe driving conditions (but you already knew that!).
3. The ecology and environment. Reduced motor oil consumption reduces the risk of environmental damage. Changing your motor oil less frequently preserves natural resources. So, if you are focused more on "green, eco-friendly" than on car maintenance, extending the time between oil changes makes sense for you. 4. Your car repair and service economy. How long will you keep the car? Are you buying or leasing? Only have money for gas (2 gallons is a "fill-up" in your world)? Long term maintenance costs are reduced with regular oil changes-a little oil change bill several times a year prevents major engine repair bills down the road. So, if you want to keep your car for awhile, and not make new car or lease payments forever (Detroit would be happy if you did, though), then take care of your car's engine, and change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles.
But, hey, if you are leasing your car, will give it back to the dealer in 3 years, get another "new" one to lease, do you really care what the engine will be like for the next poor sap who happens to buy it at an auction or used car lot? Probably doesn't tweak you at all. Then, drive it into the ground! Forget the oil, anti-freeze, even windshield washer fluid (well, maybe not the washer fluid-that is only $1.99 a gallon)-you can save your money for more important needs (like the RedBox video rentals).
Don't want to look in your glove compartment for your owner's manual information? Wonder where the glove compartment is in your car? Then log on to http://www.CheckYourNumber.org to find recommended oil change intervals for popular vehicle models.
Changing your vehicle's oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid bringing large bags of money to your auto repair technician later on.
Oil is a magical substance. Oil is used in everything from plastics to fertilizers to fuel and, of course, lubrication. When it comes to your engine, oil is the key to making it last. Without lubrication, the metal parts would just grind together and seize up in a matter of minutes.
So, what is it that engine oil specifically does for your car?
1. Keeps the engine cooler. It does this as a matter of design. The design of the engine and the layout of the oil system allows it to actually cool and draw heat from the engine. It does this because the oil collects in the oil pan. The oil pan is located at the bottom of the engine. As the car is moving, air rushes by the oil pan. The cooled oil then circulates up through the engine and siphons off some of the heat being produced. A car still needs a coolant system, but oil definitely plays a part in the process.
2. Oil in your engine cuts down on friction. Oil is a lubricant. You only need to rub it between your fingers to know this. (Try rubbing your palms together as fast as you can for one minute-how does it feel? Now, put hand lotion between those palms, and try it again-notice the difference? Your car’s metal parts react the same way).
The engine is essentially a mechanism of controlled explosions. The energy produced in the explosion propels metal parts. Oil sits between those parts and cuts down on the wear and tear caused by the back and forth movement. It is this lubrication that keeps the engine parts from heating up and melting into one block of metal goop.
Why do I have to change my engine oil?
Oil is amazing, but even oil will begin to break down after a while. Modern car engine oil is particularly helpful to cars because it contains detergent. What does detergent do? It breaks down the gunk found in an engine. This means that you can effectively take an old car and "revitalize" the internal engine parts by using modern oil. The oil will effectively clean up the gunk within the engine and help the engine run cooler. A cooler running engine is an engine that lasts longer. That means fewer repairs and less money spent.
Oil undergoes thermal breakdown due to high operating temperature. When this occurs, the oil becomes less effective as a lubricant. And without a good lubricant, parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out.
Oil also contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective.
Finally, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and also hold them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated with this stuff and can't absorb any more. Then that stuff remains in the engine and can cause corrosion.
The clearances between metal engine parts can be as little is .0010". The oil keeps the metal parts from touching. But even with oil between the metal parts, the spinning creates heat. In addition to lubricating the parts, the oil also carries the heat away.
Does it really matter when I get my oil changed? There is much discussion about exactly when engine oil gets old and how often it should be replaced with new oil. Because there are many factors at work — how you drive, the condition and age of the engine, the external environment you drive in, and stop-and-go versus highway driving — it's an inexact science. Owner's manual recommendations for oil and filter changes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 miles, while most manuals say 7,500 miles.
We recommend that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. That may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last a long, long time-several hundred thousand miles. You may want to consider changing your oil more frequently (3,000-4,000 miles) if:
You drive like you are in NASCAR: jackrabbit starts, heavy acceleration or high-speed driving;
You live in Utah, where the climate gets extremely hot and cold;
You often drive on dirt roads;
Your engine is old and burns oil;
You frequently carry, pull or haul heavy loads (from your children’s soccer team to your prized horses, boat or camper trailer).
But the really important benefit to changing your oil every 3,000-4,000 miles is to have drivers routinely visiting a mechanic every 3,000 miles or three months to do a check up on their cars.
Most drivers don't even open the hood anymore-or check around their car or truck for obvious repair signs-a tire that is showing steel, a water hose swollen and about to bust, a leaking radiator, expired state inspection stickers, etc., etc., etc. In the old, old days, gas stations had attendants to check these every gas tank fill up (and they would pump your gas, wash your windows (see the movie “Back To The Future”-the first episode). With today’s “gas and goodie” stores, nobody checks those things-not even you!
Since the average American driver drives 12,000 miles a year, that is 3 or 4 oil changes a year. At $35 an oil change, that's about $100 a year to have your cars looked over and make sure things are okay. Now, compare that to a tow bill...the alternate price you'd pay if that radiator hose bursts on you in the summer, or tire blows on an icy road in the winter, leaving you on the side of the road with a car load of kids, groceries, missed appointments, and headache medicine.
What happens if I don’t change my oil? Your engine won't last as long as it could-plain and simple. Oil serves many crucial functions, and clean oil performs those functions better than dirty oil.
The benefits of oil changes are not so great as the drawbacks of not getting your oil changed, which are catastrophic. While you do increase the life of your engine and keep your horsepower maximized by getting your oil changed regularly, these are not as significant as the problems that can arise if you do not change your oil when it is recommended to do so. First, not changing your oil often enough can cause significant damage to your engine, as the oil is necessary to keep all of the moving parts lubricated. By not having enough oil or by using oil that has outlived its usefulness (is filled with dirt or has low viscosity), you run the risk of allowing parts to not work as efficiently as they possibly could.
Squeeze too many miles out of your oil and you will find black gooey sludge at the bottom of your engine. Since the anti-friction additives will be gone, you'll see burned oil on all the engine parts (just like burned butter in a frying pan).
In the long run, such parts grinding together without lubrication in such a stressful environment as an internal combustion engine could eventually lead to such parts fusing together, jamming up or altogether failing. This is catastrophic to your engine, as the engine could simply stop working or actually explode if enough parts refuse to work.
If you break down the engine of a car that has not had its oil changed regularly, you will see what essentially looks like a scorched earth surface. Everything will be black, and there'll be balls of burnt oil everywhere. It's generally known as gunk. Gunk kills cars. It makes it difficult for parts to work efficiently, but it also acts as an insulator that causes the engine to heat up-and heat kills engines.
Can I change my own engine oil?
Sure, there is no law against it. That is, until you try and bury your old oil in your backyard. Oil disposal has become a hot issue in the last decade or so. Remember, it is illegal to dispose of used motor oil improperly. The EPA now levies a huge fine ( yes, HUGE-as much as six figures) for improper or illegal oil disposal. The days of digging a hole in the back yard and pouring dirty oil into it are long gone.
Are you ready to properly dispose of your used engine oil? Smith’s, Harmon’s, Target and convenient stores sell motor oil-but they do not accept your used oil back. You will have to find auto parts stores (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, O’Reilly, Wal-Mart) who will accept old oil from do-it-yourselfers. (And, make sure it is in a container that will not spill inside your vehicle-that would blow all of your well intended DIY savings!)
Answering Yes to the questions below means changing your engine oil will not become an all day marathon project:
Do you enjoy tinkering around the garage?
Do you own your own hand tools?
Are you okay with getting a little grease under your fingernails?
I've fixed things on my car that involve removing more than 5 bolts.
I've built a time machine out of wood.
Why do I have to check my oil level between oil changes?
Yes, you need to check the oil levelevery few hundred miles. With your car parked on a level surface, remove the oil dipstick, wipe it off on one of the fast food napkins you have stuffed in the glove compartment, and then reinsert it. Remove it again, and check the oil level.
Ideally, it should be right at the full mark. If it's at or below the add mark, that means you're a quart low and should add a quart of oil to the crankcase. If it's in between the two marks, you can add part of a quart to bring it up to the full mark (the distance between add and full represents a quart, so use that to estimate how much of a quart you need).
At some point, every engine starts to burn oil. Get in the habit of checking the oil from time to time, and you just might avoid having your engine melt down one day.
If you regularly run low on oil, be sure to report it to your mechanic. You may have a leak or may be burning oil — signs that you might be gearing up for a major boat payment to your mechanic.
Be careful not to overfill your car's crankcase with oil. If you put in too much oil, the engine's crankshaft can actually come in contact with the oil. And because the crankshaft is turning at several thousand revolutions per minute, it can quickly whip your oil into a froth — like the steamed milk that sits on the top of your Starbucks cappuccino. Why is that bad? Well, the oil pump can't pump froth very well, and as a result, it can't get oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication. The result? An unplanned and expensive visit to your auto mechanic.
In conclusion, the combined effect of leaving dirty oil around a car’s engine can significantly decrease the life of vehicles while also making the vehicles less safe to drive. Basically, regular oil changes as part of routine car maintenance plays an important part in accident prevention.
Here are some good tire care and maintenance tips to extend the life and mileage of your tires, and get the best value and safety from your set of tires.
Check tires once each month for wear:
It’s a good idea to check your tires once a month for visible damage and excess wear. Here are two ways to tell if your tires are worn out:
1. Look for wear bars
Narrow bands may appear in the grooves across the tire’s tread. See the wear bars? When the wear bars are even with the tread depth, only 2/32” of tread remains,1 replace the tire.
2. The penny trick
Place a penny in the most shallow tread groove with Lincoln’s head down. See the top of his head? The tire should be replaced.
If the tread is worn below 2/32 of an inch, water can’t be channeled away from the tread. This can cause hydroplaning at high speeds. Snow traction is also reduced as well.
Air Pressure The Benefits of Proper Inflation With the right amount of air pressure, you will achieve optimum tire performance. This means your tires wear longer, save fuel and help prevent accidents. The "right amount" of air is the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer, which may be different on the front than the rear tires on your particular model car or light truck. The correct air pressure is shown on the tire placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door. If your vehicle doesn't have a placard, check the owner's manual. Please feel free to stop by Quick Lube, and we would be happy to check your tire pressure for you-free of charge.
Tire Rotation Tips Regular rotation helps extend the life of your tires, saving time and money in the long run. For rotation, each tire and wheel is removed from your vehicle and moved to a different position. This ensures that all of the tires wear evenly and last longer. If no period is specified in your vehicle owners manual, tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. If you have a full-size spare, it should be included in the rotation process.
Tire Balancing Tips Balancing compensates for the weight of the tire and wheel assembly after the tire is mounted. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This can cause eccentric treadwear and
vibration, plus increase the stress on the front-end parts, causing them to wear prematurely .
Wheel Alignment A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when the tire and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering. Uneven front-or rear-tire wear, or changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (i.e. pulling to one side) can indicate misalignment.
Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle may need a "front-end" alignment or a "four-wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of or a having your vehicle aligned can more than pay for itself in tire mileage, performance and comfort.
Proper Repair There is a good chance that your tire can be repaired if:
1. The tire has not been driven on when flat
2. The damage is only on the tread section of your tire
3. The puncture is less than 1/4".
Come in to any of our 5 Salt Lake Valley tire stores: Salt Lake City (Cottonwood Heights), West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy or Draper for tires, alignments, brakes, and complete auto repair services.
We have oil change specials and oil change coupons for full service lube and oil changes. We also offer tires, wheels, alignments, brakes, and complete auto repair services.
Proper tire care extends the mileage and performance of your car tires. Watch this tire care video, as Hillside Tire show you how regularly checking tire air pressure, balancing and rotation, and alignments all help get the best value for your vehicle tire.
Need Lift Kits For Your Truck? Do not go cheap-it will affect your truck's performance-for the worst! In this video, Albert at Hillside Tire and Service shows how to properly lift a truck, using appropriate lift kits and suspension modifications.
Come to the lift and suspension experts at Hillside Tire and Service. Our technicians have extensive truck lift modification experience-they have their own trucks to show you! Get truck lifts done the right way-the first time, and keep your truck’s performance in tact!
Come in to any of our 5 Salt Lake Valley locations: Salt Lake City(Cottonwood Heights), West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy or Draper for lift kits, suspension modifications, tires, alignments, brakes, and complete auto repair services.
Check Engine” Light on in your car? Not sure if it means trouble? Let Hillside Tire perform a FREE Check Engine Light computer scan of your car or truck. We have the diagnostic tools and equipment for any make or model. We’ll tell you why it’s on, and what to do to fix it-all at NO CHARGE! Why? We want to be your auto repair service provider for years to come!
Come in to any of our 5 Salt Lake Valley locations: Salt Lake City(Cottonwood Heights), West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy or Draper for tires, alignments, brakes, and complete auto repair services.
