There are some outdated ways of doing things and this happens to be one of them. A very long time ago, way before synthetic oil was developed, there was a concept among mechanics to have your engine oil changed prior to the manufacturer’s recommended service interval. This was due to unsophisticated oil and filter technology and inefficient carburetors and injectors that dumped way too much fuel into the engine. These types of occurrences are no longer common thanks to modern technology and hard-working engineers.
When you should change your oil
So, are you personally convinced that you need to change the engine oil early? Or perhaps you’ve encountered a pushy shop owner or service adviser who says you have to do it? Whatever the situation is, here’s the deal… The manufacturer who designed your vehicle has a team of highly educated and highly experienced engineers who’ve been successfully designing engines for decades. If they have concluded the optimum duration to change your engine oil is 5,000 or 10,000+ miles you can trust them. It is in the manufacturer’s best interest to have your engine last as long as possible, specifically for the entire duration of the powertrain warranty. Additionally, the service interval for fluid changes, such as engine oil is printed in the owner’s manual. That manual is a legal document and it’s been meticulously checked for errors. So, you can trust what it says.
Make sure to check your oil level
Perhaps you just checked your engine oil and it looks very dirty. There’s no reason to be concerned, dirty oil doesn’t mean it lacks the ability to provide adequate lubrication. Plus, if you’re using the OEM oil filter you can be sure it’s designed perfectly to perform for the duration of service. The main thing you need to keep in mind is the importance of the engine oil level. I recommend checking it every 1,000 miles. Engine oil consumption is a normal occurrence but usually it should not exceed one quart per 1,200 miles. If you believe you are experiencing excessive engine oil consumption, please contact your dealership as soon as possible.
Now, with that said, it is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the engine oil level between services. If the engine fails due to a lack of lubrication (low engine oil), it is NOT the manufacturer’s obligation to be financially responsible for the repair. Please read your owner’s manual to be an informed consumer.
Final thoughts
We’ve covered a lot here. If you’ve been changing your oil early, I admire your dedication to your vehicle but now that you know the facts, I hope you’ll invest that money into something else that lasts longer than a car such as… Date night!
Professional tip: Set a monthly reminder in your phone to check the engine oil level.
