Comments on: Use the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule (35/365)

By: Kai

Kai — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:17:13 +0000

“Kevin @ 7:03 am February 6th, 2012
I’m confused. The tip *immediately* before this one was “Don’t Get an Oil Change Every 3,000 Miles (34/365).” Now you say we *should* follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule (which usually prescribes an oil change every 3,000 miles).
Which is it?”

The point there was that the maintenance schedule *for each car* is often not every 3000 miles, so you should check what your own car needs instead of using an outdated rule of thumb. No conflict.

By: Leah W.

Leah W. — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:48:19 +0000

Kevin: Andrea is right. I drive a 2002 Honda. My car’s manual recommends an oil change every 7,500 miles or 1 year (whichever comes first). I don’t change my oil more frequently than that, even though the sticker that the Honda Service Center puts on my windshield says to come back in 3,000 miles.

By: AnnJo

AnnJo — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:01:56 +0000

It never hurts to take a look at your oil once in a while. If it’s dirty, change it and the oil filter no matter what the manual says.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:06:27 +0000

The last time I took defensive driving, it included a bit on maintenance of cars, and the course instructor made a joke that went something like: companies that sell the motor oil suggest you change it at the lowest believeable number of miles, or lowest believable number of months, whichever comes first.
I have an 09 that suggests 6 months, 5k miles and a 2010 that says 6 months, or 7500 miles!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:41:07 +0000

Kevin- Trent says in this article that most manufacturers recommend an oil change every 5000 miles. It’s places like jiffy lube, that make money off you coming in for an oil change too often, that say 3000. But if your car owners manual actually says 3000 (rare) then by all means, you should get your oil changed every 3000.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:03:42 +0000

I’m confused. The tip *immediately* before this one was “Don’t Get an Oil Change Every 3,000 Miles (34/365).” Now you say we *should* follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule (which usually prescribes an oil change every 3,000 miles).

Which is it?

By: dugsdale

dugsdale — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:47:01 +0000

Somewhere in this rat’s-nest of an apartment I have an old maintenance schedule from one of the enthusiast car mags–and when I had a car, I followed it religiously, right down to when it’s time to change the timing belt, the spark plugs, the spark plug WIRES (yes, they wear out), how often to use silicone renew-it on the door gaskets to keep them sealing and pliable, or flush and replace the brake fluid and transmission fluid, and the rear-axle lubricant, and this is all apart from the obvious stuff (oil and filter changes, brake pads, fan belts, filters, wiper blades, coolant replacement). It’s actually fun, kind of like maintaining a pony in the back yard–periodic attention pays off in worry-free driving, and even a sense of pride that everything on the car is just as it should be. Also, checking the car over visually helps you (and/or your mechanic) spot potential trouble before it can disable your car on a dark, deserted street.