Why are the new cars asking for 7500 mile oil changes???

[V6UnderPressure]

Just a question that seems to bug me. We are talking over twice as long as the 3000 mile mark I am used to. 2 and a half times! Why is this? Just curious if anyone out there knows.

Scott

 

[KEVINS]

My guess is that they have a lot better oil control these days along with better cooling. All this keeps the oil from getting contaminated and breaking down...

ks

 

[blackbuick87]

Its not that new. My 1988 K5 Blazer had a 7500 mile interval under "normal driving conditions"
For me that was sand dunes, trails, 2 ft of snow, etc.

 

[Black Car]

Also it make it seems cheaper for maintainence for PR.
I wouldn't go that far on any newer car.
2000-2500 max for the Buicks.
Now for straight highways miles I have gone 4-5000 on Mobil 1 synthenic.
just my 2 cents

Gary

 

[timothydog]

Maybe so your brand new car won't last as long and you will have to bend over and buy a new one more sooner than later.

 

[strikeeagle]

Short hair, long hair.

Short skirts, long skirts.

It's called fashion.

 

[gofstbuick]

Also, fuels are cleaner and fuel injection is more efficient than carburetion (notice I have a 830cfm gas toilet on my chevy motor), so there is probably less of a chance for fuel contamination (of the oil). Jus my 0.02

 

[Jeff]

Fuel injection and computer controls have come a VERY long way, along with lubricant quality and additives. The oil is lasting longer because there is less unburned fuel contaminating it, due to ignition control, fuel control, combustion chamber design, etc. Also, cars run hotter which gets rid of the water in the crankcase more quickly.
The other thing I've noticed is that most of the "non-car" people (get in, turn the key, and go) change their oil pretty religiously, then trade the car off in 3-5 years, so it doesn't really matter anyway, except to the lucky sap that buys it from them and gets another 150K miles out of it!
Jeff

 

[BLACK6PACK]

I think it also has to do with the cheap a$$ dealerships. A friend of mine bought a 325i BMW and along with the price of the car came free oil changes. They said, bring it in every 15k miles and well change the oil for free. I told her, if she had planned on driving it for a while, I would come out of pocket and at least double that rate.

 

[6=8]

Not New

Take a look at the GN's DS visor... Flip it down, and the recommended oil change interval lists every 7500 MI "Under Normal Driving Conditions" on my 87... 3000 mi for heavy duty use.

I'm sure the Owners Manual states this too...

So, this is not really a new fashionable thing, but it may be more commonly known.

Maybe all those gimmicky motor oil adds for "Active Lubricants" and "Anti-wear Additives" and "Resists Thermal Breakdown" actually allow you to run an oil longer?

I'm not advocating 7500 mile oil changes, just stating that maybe the oil, possibly the filters, sold today ARE more advanced than what was available back in the 60's or whenever the first 3000 mile interval was cooked up!

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by Scott4DMny
Just a question that seems to bug me. We are talking over twice as long as the 3000 mile mark I am used to. 2 and a half times! Why is this? Just curious if anyone out there knows.
Scott

There have been a number of surveys showing the 3L mile change is just to make the oil co.s richer.
7,500 miles is fine for most types of on highway driving.

 

[gn4u2c]

the new 4200 inline 6 can 12,000 between changes I know we sell them here ....crazy !