Scam or Legit? Oil change

...Take into consideration that the majority of people working at lube shops (take-5,jiffy-lube,kwik-kar,Walmart) have only had a few hours of training & by no means are "mechanics" when deciding where to take your vehicle for more invasive maintenance/service. Originally Posted by MarcellusWalluz

^^^^^
Thread winning comment

You should get your transmission fluid changed if you haven't already but not at a lube shop. Go to the dealer or a qualified mechanic that will use OEM products. Originally Posted by MarcellusWalluz

Agree with going to a qualified mechanic (and not one at those transmission rebuild shops as my experience is they'd charge 3-5x more than a mechanics shop for a transmission rebuild). That said, as long as the transmission fluid is the recommended type (eg Dexron III, Type F, etc.) and from a reputable brand, it's not necessary to use an OEM fluid (which generally they charge more for). Most, if not all, OEM fluids are manufactured by one of the major oil companies and would likely use the same additive package and base oils as the oil company branded product.

A few things to consider (some mentioned earlier)
How hard do you drive?
Type of driving? (short intercity hops or long drives)

oil companies tend to recommend to the car companies that you change your oil every 3,000 miles because that means you change your oil more often.

The average yearly mileage driven by a user is 15,000 - going by the 3,000 oil change that is 5 changes a year at whatever cost. So I ask why is it I can buy oil that states it is good for 20,000 miles before change? If Big Oil wanted you to change every 3k miles they would not have oils that are tested to last 20k.

What I do is out 20k mile life full synthetic oil in my truck (2012 F150 V8 I inherited from my late father that has less than 80k miles on it) I use a high mileage filter (good for 20k miles) but change it at 15k miles of wear. I have done the oil sample testing to see if I have any metal in the oil, last 3 times ZERO.

I knew a guy who when he bought a new vehicle from the showroom he would run it the 1000 mile break in, then change the oil & filter out to Royal Purple oil & filter and that was ALL he used.

Spend the coin to get high quality oils and filters.

Look at this, had to replace it & installed new spark plugs. Also, changed coolant/ 50-50 mixture. Seemed a tad watery while the other old coolant that was drained out was definitely thicker.

The coils will start going out 1 by 1.
Fresh coolant is translucent, thickens over time.

I learned early on to never go to places like brake check and jiffy lube. The one time I went to get my brakes done at brake check and they ended up hammering my control arm causing it to be damaged. I ended up having to replace that part and some other (even though it was their fault). I still don't know why that was even necessary! Bunch of incompetent donkeys.

I have a Toyota(84,000 original miles)and it takes full synthetic,very little city driving, mostly highway at night & my oil change sticker has every 3 thousand miles.
Sometimes the young employees gets the milage wrong or he's doing it on purpose. I thought full synthetic oil was 5,000 miles before your next oil change? Originally Posted by Busty

That 3,000 mile oil change is both a myth and true. Modern oils can last 5,000 (I put 20,000 in my 2012 F150 w/V8 engine)

It does depend on how hard you drive it, if you flooring it off the line, that will cause it break down faster, use a standard filter instead of the higher dollar filter? the oil will break down faster.

I routinely use 20,000 oil with a matching Fram oil filter good for 20,000 plus Fram air filter.

The reason all the vendors want you to change oil every 3 k miles is because it adds $$$ the seller & oil companies.
Oils have gotten better since I started driving back in 1981 - then you did it every 10k miles.



I change the oil at 15,0000 and on the air filter since its a waffle style I blow it out with an air hose 1 time.

Do start keeping a notebook on these things. My late father kept 3 ring binders on every vehicle he owned starting with mileage on it when he drove it off the lot. He even jotted down mileage on it if he put it in the shop for work for comparison.

But track oil / air filter changes with mileage between them & date done.

Any maintenance done to it track when and what.

I learned early on to never go to places like brake check and jiffy lube. The one time I went to get my brakes done at brake check and they ended up hammering my control arm causing it to be damaged. I ended up having to replace that part and some other (even though it was their fault). I still don't know why that was even necessary! Bunch of incompetent donkeys. Originally Posted by lynx23

Which Brake Check did you take it to? I have taken vehicles to the one on 610 loop on the north side by Ella, as well as my late father... no issues.

The coils will start going out 1 by 1.
Fresh coolant is translucent, thickens over time. Originally Posted by MarcellusWalluz

depends on the color of the coolant. Now days most cars use the yellow stuff and the 50/50 is what is recommended

Big lawsuit overseas against auto manufacturers. If you follow their recommendations as in the manual, it is only to get you through the warranty. If you use the 'harsh driving ' recommendations study found 60% less issues to 100k. This also goes for brakes, transmission and coolant . Frickin Nazis.
Change fluids way more often and have lots less issues.
Cheers

Just had my oil changed at 8k. I have a German made sports car with turbo(.)(.) ..I get mine done when it tells me too . A notice pops up for service and then ask me to call to make appt and it will call for me if I push call..

This here 100%
..Take into consideration that the majority of people working at lube shops (take-5,jiffy-lube,kwik-kar,Walmart) have only had a few hours of training & by no means are "mechanics" when deciding where to take your vehicle for more invasive maintenance/service.

Just had my oil changed at 8k. I have a German made sports car with turbo(.)(.) ..I get mine done when it tells me too . A notice pops up for service and then ask me to call to make appt and it will call for me if I push call..

Originally Posted by LustyBustyGina38FF

Sounds like something designed for stupid, lazy, MuthaFkers,
I wouldn't take a German car if it was free.
Hitler learned his lesson

Nobody can tell you how long and this thread is filled with anecdotal information. The ONLY way to tell is to get the oil tested, if it REALLY bugs you get it tested every oil change. Several large fleets do this regularly because downtime is loosing money.

Realistically, nobody does this on their personal cars. So oil change intervals depend on the engine and driving habits. If you drive a turbo/hybrid/direct injection/auto start&stop. Basically anything modern realize it's A LOT more harsh on motor oil. So CERTAINTLY don't run conventional oil on those. Yes motor oil has gotten "better" but realize nearly everyone in Houston drives under the severe schedule which usually halves the "normal" interval. Also realize that several "modern car problems" are due to lack of frequent maintenance. Typically if you want to take REALLY good care of you car, follow the severe schedule and use QUALITY filters, oil, fuel (top tier). Take5 does not sell any of those.

I traded my German SUV in and bought American. It's higher up from the ground and thanks for reminding me to make an appointment for an oil change.

Staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance is vital, keep up with the age of your oil but also check dipstick regularly, twice or at least once a month minimum . Weekly pretrip inspection is a good rule of thumb, check under the hood, below the vehicle, tires etc.