Do you still need to follow the every 3000 mile oil change rule?

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Only people who are making money off oil changes or people stuck in the 1950s will recommend an oil change at 3,000 miles. During the later part of the twentieth century, engine technology, filter technology, and oil technology have advanced requiring less frequent oil changes under normal driving conditions. Open and read the owners manual on almost any vehicle today and you will quickly see that almost none of them recommend an oil change at 3000 miles. It is common to see 5,000, 7500, or even 10,000 mile recommendations. Some vehicles even come with a monitoring system that tells you when you need to change your oil. You can never go wrong following the manufacturers recommendations. I personally change my oil/filter every 5000 miles.