Why does the change engine oil light come on?
A study done by General Motors estimated that drivers who use any of the two systems above have in average, 2-3 times fewer oil changes each year. Changing oil when the system recommends vs. the 3,000 miles rule could result in reducing pollution with as much as 100 million gallons per year.
When do I need to change the oil in my car?
Their tests exposed that for example, a Honda Fit Sport driven around 90% in town conditions… requested an oil change at 5,500 miles vs. the same car driven around mostly on highways at 7,600 miles. Another test on a Pontiac G8 GT managed to go 13,000 miles before the system indicated that there is a need to change the oil.
Is the 3, 000 mile oil change too early?
Since every situation is different with driving style, operating temperatures, operating environment and vehicle loads in general… in real life, the 3,000 mile rule would mean for many engines that the oil change is done too early. This leads to a waste of resources or money that could have been better spent elsewhere.
A study done by General Motors estimated that drivers who use any of the two systems above have in average, 2-3 times fewer oil changes each year. Changing oil when the system recommends vs. the 3,000 miles rule could result in reducing pollution with as much as 100 million gallons per year.
Their tests exposed that for example, a Honda Fit Sport driven around 90% in town conditions… requested an oil change at 5,500 miles vs. the same car driven around mostly on highways at 7,600 miles. Another test on a Pontiac G8 GT managed to go 13,000 miles before the system indicated that there is a need to change the oil.
Since every situation is different with driving style, operating temperatures, operating environment and vehicle loads in general… in real life, the 3,000 mile rule would mean for many engines that the oil change is done too early. This leads to a waste of resources or money that could have been better spent elsewhere.