http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/yo...cuts.html?_r=2

 

Indeed. The wastefulness of changing so often is what keeps me from doing it. Many reports of the oil isn't 'done' yet at 3000 miles by far.

I go by the book, and I expect it to be fine, especially with the synthetic stuff, with my overall driving habits.

3000 is pushed by the oil changers, because guess what? More money. Naturally.

But please, everyone use their own (educated, mind) judgement on this.

 

I've always changed at 5000 because I'm not severe duty and I'm cheap.

But my F150 is used sporadically during the summer but needed in the winter, so it falls under the once/year rule (even though it may only have 2000 miles on the oil).

But until they devise perfect sealing rings so there is zero blow-by contaminating the oil, I'm not going out any further.

 

They rarely make it to 5K mi. though.
Some years my truck was done twice in one year if I hit 5K (severe duty).
I don't think I've done a vehicle more than twice in a year in my life.
Of course, I've always spread the driving over more than one vehicle.
I think the last time I had only one car for a year was the year 1990.