Courtesy MEMA   

The 3,000-mile oil change is part of the American automotive culture. Not everyone follows it, but everyone has learned the 3,000 mile number. However, there are parts of the industry that now openly challenge that convention. In previous years, manufacturers have published oil change intervals other than the 3,000 mile schedule, however, it has been done in a passive manner that required the owner to find the appropriate interval.

Today, oil drain intervals are being stretched further than ever and the impetus is not just from the car manufacturers. In January 2005, Exxon-Mobil launched three new lines of Mobil oil: Mobil Clean 5000, Mobil Clean 7500 and Mobil 1 Extended Performance. These oils are warranted for oil drain intervals of 5,000 miles, 7,500 miles and 15,000 miles, respectively, even on engines that have a shorter factory service interval.

• New oil technologies have allowed the manufacturers and refiners to create more stable oils that will endure longer service.
• European car manufacturers through the ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) have long sought the ability to reduce oil use, consistent with the European emphasis on fuel economy.
• Decreased frequency of traditional tune-up services such as spark plugs and transmission oil have led to less frequent visits for service and a demand by consumers that oil changes follow suit.

What is an extended drain? While the 3,000 mile interval has been most heavily publicized, manufacturers have long been putting 5,000 and 7,500 mile oil change intervals in their service schedules. These are considered regular service drain intervals, not the severe service interval called for in certain conditions. For this article, an extended drain is defined as one that is performed at 10,000 miles or longer.

There are implications to extended drain intervals that go beyond the oil that must be noted. Maintaining a three month or 3,000 mile oil change schedule helps to ensure that automobiles are given attention regularly. Along with the oil change, many fast lube establishments perform other services such as fluid level checks, wiper blade changes, tire pressure checks and tire rotation. Extending the oil drain interval extends the time that these services are performed.

Considering the recent re-emphasis on the importance of tire pressure as a critical portion of vehicle safety (evidenced by on-board tire pressure monitoring systems becoming mandatory in new cars), the extended interval could have implications beyond vehicle maintenance. Furthermore, quick lube businesses generally perform any other routine maintenance such as air and fuel filter replacement, and transmission and gear oil service. While the service interval for these items is as long, or longer, than even the most aggressive extended oil drain interval, the danger that regular checks will go neglec...