Where the heck did the 3,000 mile motor oil change interval come from? Changing your oil on that short interval has been the norm for a good 50 years.  It makes me wonder who was the first to establish oil changes had to happen every 3,000 miles .

Time has changed a few things now!  Gone are the days of short commutes living near your place of business. .  People continue to move further and further away from their place of employment.  Longer travel distances means more driving and more use of oil…

Traveling on dirt and gravel roads used to be more widespread than it is today.  The daily commute now is relatively dust free compared to years ago .  Engines have a hard time with all the dust and dirt.    A severe operating condition is created from all the abrasive particulate.  With most of the dirty commuting behind us as more and more roads are paved, gone is the need to change oil as frequently.

Do you remember when you were excited when engines lasted seventy thousand miles.  This is a recent improvement but seems like it was only the 1980s when vehicle longevity improved significantly.  Engine materials and manufacturing tolerances improved and when that happened it increased the capability of extending oil changes with the right oil.

Where is the 3,000 mile oil change now?  I don’t know because I am not seeing it suggested in the manual for any of my vehicles.  I am seeing a lot of oil bottles that have higher numbers than 3,000 on them.  So who is still behind this 3,000 mile oil myth?  It is hard to tell but I have to believe whomever is doing it has some money in the game.  Time may tell.

Are there some oils that will last longer than others… find out in the best motor oil review .