For many drivers, the 3,000 mile oil change has gone the way of the 8-track and they are now using condition-based oil changes in conjunction with following the manufacturers recommendations.
But here in California, where IntelliStick is based, 73% of California motorists believe they should change their oil more often than the manufacturer recommends. We are pleased to see that the State’s Integrated Waste Management Board has exposed the 3,000 mile myth and officially recommends that drivers follow the manufacturer guidelines - not the stickers provided by the dealers and quick-lube service providers. Here is a link to the site http://www.3000milemyth.org/
A little bit of education about today’s engines, and oils, can go a long way to saving money and eliminating waste. You can use the money you save to offset the price of gas.
IntelliStick
You may find that 3000 miles is actually too far to go between oil changes in California, and that the 73% of California motorists who believe that are right on the money. Stop and go rush hour driving in high temperature environments can be particularly harsh on engines.
Here’s something else: ZDDP quantities are changing (downwardly) in some oils, and older engines that do not have the right metallurgy are going to suddenly find that they have accelerated wear on those components that were just fine with oils using older formulations of ZDDP-based additives. Sulphur and phosphate components of ZDDP are at odds with emissions goals, and some oil companies are changing the formulations without warning consumers of the consequences, even though they’re raising prices on those oils because of the higher prices of the replacement additives.