How Often Should I Change My Oil?
"How Often Should I Change My Oil?” is a question that often has the unclear or inexact answer, “it depends.” When you read excerpts from the Lubes'n'Greases article below, you’ll understand why. Despite its age, this trustworthy article on oil change intervals remains highly relevant, accurately reflecting what is still happening in the oil industry today.
Consumers are “Suckered” into Frequent Oil Change Intervals Because of the “Industry-Coerced 3,000-Mile Strait Jacket”
Lubes'n'Greases Automotive Editor David McFall, who once spent five years at the American Petroleum Institute (API), wrote an in-depth article (February 2003) about extended oil change intervals. McFall writes, “Wrapped tightly inside the industry-coerced 3,000-mile strait jacket, consumers get suckered into frequent drain intervals and millions of unnecessary oil changes.”
McFall revealed that U.S. motor oils only need to meet minimum performance standards. While the “starburst” certification decreases the likelihood that consumers would get substandard oils, it only provides consumers with a "one-size-fits-all" approach to quality rather than tailored options.
U.S. vs. Europe Oil Change Frequency: Factors Behind the Huge Gap
In a subsequent Lubes'n'Greases column (March 2003) McFall reported, “U.S. vehicle manufacturers have expressed interest in lengthening drain intervals. General Motors has stated it wants to compete on drain intervals, but the current lowest-common-denominator system offers little incentive or opportunity for technical enhancements.”
Meanwhile, in Europe, with a tiered motor oil system and car manufacturers that encourage longer drain intervals if higher quality oil is used, McFall reported that the average oil change is 10,000 miles. In his in-depth article, he pointed out several differences between the two continents, such as who owns the engine oil’s technical specifications. In the U.S. the oil industry owns them, whereas in Europe the car manufacturers do. He also noted that Europeans have no oil licensing system and no instant oil change outlets as in the United States, many of which are owned by the major oil companies.
AMSOIL Applauded for Extended Oil Change Intervals
McFall examined how three U.S. oil companies (ExxonMobil, Shell Oil and AMSOIL) are tackling the controversial issue of oil change intervals. He labeled ExxonMobil “shackled” for telling U.S. motorists to follow the oil change intervals recommended by their car manufacturer for one of their motor oils that claims to meet European specifications – specifications that are intended to extend oil change intervals. McFall expressed, “Here, in a nutshell, is this observers’ take on ExxonMobil’s and the oil industry’s ‘owner’s manual’ position: It is designed solely to increase motor oil sales.”
McFall labeled Shell, owner of Pennzoil-Quaker State, “semi-shackled” and gave them credit for offering an API unlicensed oil formulated with substantially enhanced protection capability and selling at a premium over conventional motor oils, but adds, “Pennzoil declines to assist consumers in any way in identifying how long this product should be used before it should be replaced.” He also pointed out that Shell has worked closely with European auto makers on extending oil change intervals there, but here in the U.S. they continue to promote their Jiffy Lubes and saturate the media with their 3,000-mile advertising blitzes.
McFall labeled AMSOIL “unshackled” for never conforming to industry norms and standards! “Amsoil, which claims to be the world’s largest independent marketer of synthetic engine oil,” McFall writes, “stakes its reputation on longer drain intervals … and backs it up with a full replacement engine warranty. Moreover, it has done so for three decades without a single proven case of oil-related failure in an engine covered by its warranty.”
McFall added, “Purists can sniff that Amsoil’s data isn’t derived from a controlled field study, but the sheer mountain of vehicle miles over three decades, and the absence of any confirmed performance, wear or maintenance issues, speaks volumes.” McFall labeled AMSOIL, “a flat-out bargain” and credited AMSOIL for providing an environmental bonus.
Does Oil Brand Matter When It Comes to Recommended Oil Change Intervals?
In summary, over two decades ago, it was documented that the U.S. lacked standards to distinguish premium synthetic oils, such as AMSOIL, from conventional motor oils. The Lubes’n’Greases author highlighted how European vehicle manufacturers use a tiered motor oil rating system to enable longer oil change intervals, contingent on using higher-quality oils. Unlike U.S. standards, the European system categorizes motor oils based on performance quality and their ability to extend oil drain intervals. But, because U.S. motor oils are only required to meet a MINIMUM industry standard, consumers face persistent uncertainty as to how often you should change your oil. This has not changed; it is still true today!
While the old 3,00-mile oil change standard is slowly becoming obsolete, it doesn’t change the fact that the U.S. still abides by the same-old minimum-quality standard for engine oil. Because of this, recommended oil change intervals in the U.S. varies significantly based on vehicle, oil type, and driving habits. If you often make short trips, stop-and-go driving, or drive in extreme heat/cold, you may still need to change oil every 3,000 miles, depending on the motor oil brand you’re using. To further complicate the issue, it was recently discovered that some motor oil brands have cut corners to save a buck, resulting in nearly 50% of engine oil samples failing to meet minimum licensing standards ― this leaves consumers even more uncertain regarding oil change frequency!
AMSOIL continually researches new technologies and chemistries that others will not touch because of the cost and has a billion miles worth of oil analysis and over 50 years of satisfied customers. AMSOIL premium 100% full synthetic motor oils surpass even the most stringent European volatility standards, providing superior protection for extended oil change intervals. But, perhaps most importantly, unlike the major oil companies, AMSOIL stands behind each of their products with the AMSOIL guarantee and consumers know right up front how long their products are formulated to last. With AMSOIL, customers no longer must be “suckered” into the 3,000-mile oil change myth!
U.S. consumers deserve the same motor oil rating system that Europeans have! Until that happens, you can rest assured knowing that since 1972 AMSOIL has been manufacturing long-life premium full synthetic motor oils and countless motorists have successfully used AMSOIL at the oil change interval recommendations of AMSOIL, Inc.