Oil Change Myths – Fact or Fiction

As most people can attest, an oil change is vital to the continued
functionality and performance of a vehicle. Over time, a variety of
myths have come to light involving the process which require attention
and correction. In this article, we will outline a few common old wives
tales regarding this time honored maintenance task.

1 – Oil must be changed every 3000 miles
Fact – Lighter oils have been seen to contribute to engine health, resulting in an extension between an oil change.

Back in the day… before oils consisted of detergents, emollients, and
other types of additives, 3000 mile maintenance marks were necessary.
With oils becoming lighter, they are able to retain viscosity. As such,
engines will remain cleaner for longer. These days, it’s rarely an issue
for newer vehicles to go 5,000 or even 6,000 miles between routine
maintenance. However, vehicles that use oil to lubricate additional
components, such as the dear timing chain should continue to stick by
the 3,000 mile rule.

2 – Darker Colors In Oil Equate To It Being Unsafe and Dirty
Fact – It is normal for the fluid to darken. In fact, darkening generally occurs as soon as a week after maintenance.

Fluid darkness does not mean that an oil change is required. Drivers can
check out a detailed analysis of the fluid in order to find out about
the composition and contamination percentage, though the process is
often quite costly and rarely necessary. Take a look at the
recommendations outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and follow the
instructions provided there. This will help you keep your vehicle
functioning properly for years to come.

3 – Maintenance should be performed on the same schedule that you drive
Fact – Maintenance schedules will generally depend on your gasoline’s composition.
In the U.S. oil refiners manufacture a gasoline grad with a much higher
sulfur content than Japanese and Europeans. As such, drivers may be
required to have their maintenance performed more often when driving in
the United States than in parts of Europe and Asia.

4 – Seasons Change and So Does The Oil
Fact – 10W40 is best for warmer climates, whereas 5W30 is safe for year-round use.

In the vast majority of cases, drivers will be safe using 5W50 year ‘round, even in places where the temperature is much colder.

5 – Synthetics are best at preventing sludge buildup
Fact – There is not an oil in existence that can prevent sludge

The formation of sludge is the natural result of the combustion process
inside the engine. While fresh fluids are much better at picking up left
over particles, as they age, they will become less effective. When this
happens, the fluids will drop particles, resulting in sludge. Though
synthetic brands have been shown to hold onto these particles for longer
periods of time, there is not an oil in existence that can prevent
sludge completely.