Change Your Engine Oil Every 3000 Miles ?

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the oil once a year or every 7,500 miles in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines. For diesel engines and turbocharged gasoline engines, the usual recommendation is every 3,000 miles or six months.

If you read the fine print, however, you'll discover that the once a year, 7,500 mile oil change is for vehicles that are driven under ideal circumstances. What most of us think of as "normal" driving is actually "severe service" driving. This includes frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially during cold weather), stop-and-go city traffic driving, driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.), and driving at sustained highway speeds during hot weather. This type of driving, which is actually "severe service: driving" means that the recommendation is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or six months.

For maximum protection, most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do. A new engine with little or no wear can probably get by on 7,500 mile oil changes. But as an engine accumulates miles, blowby increases. This dumps more unburned fuel into the crankcase which dilutes the oil. This causes the oil to break down. So if the oil isn't changed often enough, you can end up with accelerated wear and all the engine problems that come with it (loss of performance and fuel economy, and increased emissions and oil consumption).

Synthetics or Conventional ?

• Myth One: You can run synthetics longer. Some you can, some you can't. Check with the oil manufacturer. One company coined the phrase "Extended Drain Intervals" in 1972. This was the First company to produce an API Rated Synhetic oil for automotive use and are the leader in Extended Drain Technology.
• Myth Two: You cannot switch once you use synthetic. Totally false. You can switch at any time.
• Myth Three: You cannot/should not switch to Synthetic oil in a high mileage vehicle. If the vehicle is mechanically sound, including seals and gaskets, you can switch.
• Myth Four: Synthetic oils cause leaks... No, they don't... What happens is that some of your better synthetics will be a PAO/Ester Base Stock. Esters are superior cleaning agents and will clean dirt and sludge from cracks in gaskets therefore leaking. The gasket was the problem, not the synthetic oil. Use of a High Quality "True Synthetic" will net you better fuel mileage, smoother running,  ... cooler oil temps which help take the load off the cooling system and other benefits. Oil, is the Lifeblood of your engine. The oil filter is the Kidney that keeps it clean.

Whether you choose conventional oil, synthetic blend or fully synthetic, know that your auto care specialists at HIS automotive can help you choose which is the right fit for you and your vehicle while only using top-notch quality products to keep your vehicle on the road longer and you enjoying your journey.