VEHICLE OIL CHANGES – TOO OFTEN CAN BE A WASTE OF MONEY

There are many quick oil changes places.    The establishments make money by changing oil.   Watch out.

Traditionally, it was recommended that oil be changed in a vehicle every 3,000 miles.  The rules have changed.

I have gone for oil changes at a major oil change center.  I have been told that I can choose to change the oil every 3,000 miles for synthetic oil.  I told the attendant that I will wait the 5,000 miles for the oil change;  the oil change business has changed with the new oils.  Frequent changes means more money for these business, so they are often selling a more frequent service which you don’t need.

Remember that an oil change includes changing the filter.  One reason not to wait more than 3 months for an oil change is that the filter may not last longer than 3 months.

I have a car with an oil monitor, which is supposed to have a light come on when the oil needs to be changed.  I don’t trust the monitor.  Even if the oil is still “good,” the filter may be too old and need changing.  Furthermore, motor vehicles are driven under different conditions, city driving as compared to highway driving, or short trips as compared to long trips.  My concern is that different driving conditions can affect oil quality.  An engine is simply too expensive to repair, if the monitor doesn’t work effectively.

For a website discussing oil change intervals, go to

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/UsedOil/OilChange/

I have a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu and the site indicates that the change interval is every 7,500 miles.  I use synthetic oil and still change ever 5,000 miles.   I am being a bit conservative, but the car is often driven short distances.

Attorney Robert M. Singer

Law Offices of Robert M. Singer, LLC

2572 Whitney Avenue

Hamden, CT  06518

203-248-8278

rsingerct@yahoo.com

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