How often should oil be changed?

Q: Greg, please help. My owner’s manual says I should change my oil every 7,000 miles, but everything I read says I should change it every 3,000 miles. Who am I to believe? — Virginia in Ohio

A: Virginia, I just received this information from Meineke Master Mechanic Joe. So I’ll pass it on to you.

Joe says: “Clean oil is the life-blood of any engine, and changing it and the filter is what keeps your vehicle’s engine running smoothly, mile after mile. The oil lubricates the high-speed moving parts of the engine and keeps them working together without friction. The filter plays the equally important role of sifting out the harmful dirt particles or contaminants such as metallic shavings, condensation and even anti-freeze that threaten to enter the oil system, clog the engine and cause premature wear, and in extreme cases, failure.”

Thanks, Joe. You are correct.

Meineke, along with just about every other car-care center out there from Sears to your independent mechanic, advises car and truck owners to follow the guidelines in their vehicle owner’s manual as to selecting the correct grade of oil. However, most mechanics will tell you changing your oil every 7,000 miles is not the best practice, because you probably drive in “severe” mode.

Driving habits are considered “severe” by most mechanics if you make lots of short trips, drive daily in stop-and-go traffic, frequently warm your car up for 10 minutes or more on cold mornings, drive in areas where the air is dirty, live in a colder region or do any type of towing. If so, it’s better to change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles.

The key word in this column is “severe.” The way I interpret it, we ALL drive in severe conditions in some manner, that’s why I change my oil every 3,000 miles.