The topic of how often a driver should change their oil is a contentious subject in the automotive industry. For many years, the standard was a 3,000-mile interval between oil changes. However, new technology has resulted in cars that are able to go much longer - some up to 10,000 miles without needing a swap.
Yet for years, many quick lube shops were still sticking to the 3,000-mile mantra - no doubt because it meant more oil changes for them. That's slowly starting to change, reports The News-Press. For example, Jiffy Lube recently abandoned the 3,000-mile rule and now seeks to get information from the driver, factoring in the model's owner's manual recommendation with their driving habits.
For example, hot weather or stop-and-go traffic can make oil changes more frequent and necessary. Those who drive mainly on highways or in colder weather will be able to stretch their oil a little bit longer.
"Oil-change intervals are determined by operating conditions and driver habits, not by miles driven - busting the 3,000-mile oil-change myth," GM spokeswoman Pam Flores told the news source.
Drivers should look to their owner's manual for a recommendation, then modify it based on how they drive and where they live to know how often they should be bringing in their vehicle.