Quote:
Originally Posted by Tcoat
My last 4 cars all went 350k to 400k with oil cahanges pushed to the last minute. Not one of them ever had a single engine issue and they were Mitsubishies. I have never once changed transmission oil in a car and have also never replied a tranny or clutch.
I think many many people over change fluids based on the archaic schedules that were required with old lubricants. There are many experts that agree.
Dealers also have a vested interest in getting people to pay for oil changes so if anything they would be expected to say do it more often than not.
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Assuming you're talking 350k-400k kilometers, then we're talking about the same lifespan, and I don't doubt you for a second. My point isn't that changing your oil every 3000 miles is a necessity, it's that it isn't a very expensive thing to do and it sure can't hurt. In my experience, it helps. The cars I neglected in my youth (a Datsun B210, a '73 Olds Delta 88, and a Plymouth Colt, and a Plymouth Colt Vista (the last two were Mitsubishis, too, as were the cars T cited) all died early engine-related deaths (in miles, 90K, 130K, 95k, and 120k, respectively). I used to go up to 15k miles between changes because I was lazy and broke at times. Granted, they were all less-than-gently-used at the time I acquired them, too, except for the Colt Vista; the early demises may not necessarily be linked to my poor maintenance schedules. However, since then, I've been very careful with oil changes and it's paid off tremendously. Heck, maybe it's just coincidence, but I kind of doubt it. My two pro mechanic friends (one's the head mechanic at a very respected shop in the area, and the other's an independent European specialist.. the local Mercedes dealership calls HIM when they can't figure something out), both absolulute top notch guys in their field, are very adamant about 3000 mile oil changes. I believe them.
No arguments, T... I don't know enough personally to state scientific and physical reasons for my opinion. Just going by personal experience and people I know and trust. For me, frequent oil changes are worth it rather than saving $60 and hoping/trusting that it doesn't matter. That's all. If your experience is different and what you do works for you, there's certainly no reason for you to change either.
Best,
Barry