Is The 3,000 Mile Oil Change a Scam?
When you get your oil changed, they put that little sticker on your windshield to remind you when it’s time to get your next. The sticker always tells you to get your next oil change at the earlier of 3 months or 3,000 miles.The old standard used to be 3,000 miles, but newer cars are built to need less maintenance. Do you really have to have an every 3,000 miles?
Modern car manufacturers usually recommend an oil change every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. However, they recommend oil changes every 3,000 miles or 3 months if you drive in “severe” conditions. What’s “severe” driving? “Severe” conditions include driving in hot, cold, dusty, and ocean-side environments, towing a trailer, making many short trips and city driving. That’s a lot of us!
We all know that over-maintaining your car is a waste of money, but oil change are cheap. An oil change only costs about . If you drive under any of these “severe” conditions, it’s definitely worth the extra a year. If you err on the side of under-maintaining your car, it’s more likely to need expensive repairs later. If you maintain your car well, it should last 200,000 miles or more. The longer you can make your current car last, the more money you’ll keep. Wouldn’t it be great if you could pay your car off and then save the money that you’re no longer using for car payments. You could get your next car free and clear!
No one enjoys taking their car in for any maintenance or repairs. But an oil change should take less than an hour if you go when the shop isn’t busy. Since an oil change is such a simple matter, every repair shop does them. Oil Changes are offered at so many places, including your dealership, a service station or even Wal Mart. If you can get an oil change done while you’re shopping, you’ll save time. There are even specialty shops that will guarantee to have you out in less than an hour! And many shops offer pleasant and convenient waiting areas. Many make the wait time seem shorter with amenties like coffee and snacks and free wi-fi.
I recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles for most cars. It’s cost effective, easy and a very good idea. So pick a shop and get into the habit. When you’re still driving a reliable car at 200,000 miles, you’ll be happy that you did.
New Cars Montclair, Orange County Ford Dealer, Bay Area Luxury Cars
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