oil change question

RichieZ

Diamond Member
Jun 1, 2000
6,551
40
91
So is it really necessary to change my oil every 3000 miles even if I just drive all highway miles

I have been doing it, but I just started a new job and I drive about 100mi roundtrip everyday, so I reach 3000 pretty fast.

Whats the rule of thumb? This isn't a high performance car or anything, its just a regular old camry
 

bootymac

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2001
9,597
0
76
If you're using synthetic, then you can change it closer to the 5000mile mark (to actually make use of the synthetic)

If you're using regular oil, I'd do it ever 3000m to be on the safe side
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Use the new 10w30 Mobil oil...

Mobil 5000 4-5k
Mobil 7500 6-7K
Mobil1 10-12k


Also don;t use a fram oil filter and you will be fine.
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,032
125
106
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.
 

GimpyOne

Senior member
Aug 25, 2004
302
1
0
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.

Yup, in fact the owners manual of my car recommends 7.5k for 90% highway driving.

Most synthetics are now for ~15k depending on the vehicle and the brand.

The 3k crap is for the oil companies to try to get more money out of you and to keep the 20minute lube places in buisiness.
 

cjgallen

Diamond Member
Jan 20, 2003
6,419
0
0
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.

Yep. According to the owners manual printed in 1965 for my Mustang, oil changes should be done every 6000 miles. Think about what kind of oil they used back then . . .

3000 mile changes are an absolute waste of money.
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,368
418
126
Originally posted by: cjgallen
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.

Yep. According to the owners manual printed in 1965 for my Mustang, oil changes should be done every 6000 miles. Think about what kind of oil they used back then . . .

3000 mile changes are an absolute waste of money.

For me walmart changes my oil for $11.88. I look at it as cheap protection for my engine. It will never hurt to do it more often but will hurt if you dont. Your wasting money if you take it to a iffy lube joint and pay $30 or more to get it done. Do it yourself and save a ton or go to walmart for an extra $3 and they will do it for you while you shop around.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,124
912
126
Originally posted by: funboy42
Originally posted by: cjgallen
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.

Yep. According to the owners manual printed in 1965 for my Mustang, oil changes should be done every 6000 miles. Think about what kind of oil they used back then . . .

3000 mile changes are an absolute waste of money.

For me walmart changes my oil for $11.88. I look at it as cheap protection for my engine. It will never hurt to do it more often but will hurt if you dont. Your wasting money if you take it to a iffy lube joint and pay $30 or more to get it done. Do it yourself and save a ton or go to walmart for an extra $3 and they will do it for you while you shop around.

Are the techs at Walmart certified? Any idea how much they would charge for a Mobil 1 change?
 

pray4mojo

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2003
3,647
0
0
Originally posted by: funboy42
Originally posted by: cjgallen
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.

Yep. According to the owners manual printed in 1965 for my Mustang, oil changes should be done every 6000 miles. Think about what kind of oil they used back then . . .

3000 mile changes are an absolute waste of money.

For me walmart changes my oil for $11.88. I look at it as cheap protection for my engine. It will never hurt to do it more often but will hurt if you dont. Your wasting money if you take it to a iffy lube joint and pay $30 or more to get it done. Do it yourself and save a ton or go to walmart for an extra $3 and they will do it for you while you shop around.

I wouldn't trust walmart with my car.
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,368
418
126
Originally posted by: Muadib
Originally posted by: funboy42
Originally posted by: cjgallen
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
People you don't need synthetic to go more then 3k miles. Oil has improved a tiny bit since 1963. Driving mostly highway 5k to 6k miles is no problem on plain old dino oil.

Yep. According to the owners manual printed in 1965 for my Mustang, oil changes should be done every 6000 miles. Think about what kind of oil they used back then . . .

3000 mile changes are an absolute waste of money.

For me walmart changes my oil for $11.88. I look at it as cheap protection for my engine. It will never hurt to do it more often but will hurt if you dont. Your wasting money if you take it to a iffy lube joint and pay $30 or more to get it done. Do it yourself and save a ton or go to walmart for an extra $3 and they will do it for you while you shop around.

Are the techs at Walmart certified? Any idea how much they would charge for a Mobil 1 change?


For me, since I change my oil every 3k, oil is oil. When I get mine changed its just starting to change color so I have never felt the need to do mobile. Look at the ratings on the back of the bottles. If the ratings are the same so is the oil. As far as them being certified I would guess no because were talking oil changes and tires not engine over hauls or tranny rebuilds. I been going to walmart when I can for as long as I can remember and never had any problems with them at all. And for $12 oil is the life blood of the engine so for that price I will keep doing what I been doing :D


LOL at the above comments. Do you honestly think that the people at the other fast lube chains are really any better. When I was a kid I worked for one (lightning lube) all we did was get high all day long. Were talking about oil changes. Pull a plug, unscrew and replace a filter, fill it back up. I mean if you got a high dollar car by all means take it to the dealership but if your an average joe walmart is the cheapest place to get it done at :p
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Originally posted by: RichieZ
So is it really necessary to change my oil every 3000 miles even if I just drive all highway miles

I have been doing it, but I just started a new job and I drive about 100mi roundtrip everyday, so I reach 3000 pretty fast.

Whats the rule of thumb? This isn't a high performance car or anything, its just a regular old camry

/high five

i drive 170 miles roundtrip each day :)

I plan on doing it every 3k miles even though it is highwayre
 

dirtboy

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,745
1
81
Follow the manufacturers specifications for your car, which you will find in your owners manual.

Mobil 1 may be rated 10-12k, which is the brand my car requires, but the manufacturers says to change every 7k.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,124
912
126
Originally posted by: dirtboy
Follow the manufacturers specifications for your car, which you will find in your owners manual.

Mobil 1 may be rated 10-12k, which is the brand my car requires, but the manufacturers says to change every 7k.
What car do you drive?

 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
Originally posted by: dainthomas
It would be a cold day in hell I let some knuckle-dragger at Walmart dick with my car.

I let them balance my wheels - but I jack the thing up myself, remove the wheels themselves, and put them back on myself. I just can't afford the fancy pants balancing machine thing.
 

AtlantaBob

Golden Member
Jun 16, 2004
1,034
0
0
Originally posted by: dainthomas
It would be a cold day in hell I let some knuckle-dragger at Walmart dick with my car.

Tom Clancy uses that phrase in his novels a lot.... I don't think I'd ever heard someone use it in real life: a :beer: to you. /end useless trivia thread.