Are car manufacturers conservative in recommending “normal” oil change intervals and can I safely extend my “normal” car manufacturer change intervals?
“Normal” oil change intervals referred to in owners’ manuals are not conservative today. Engines are running hotter and have become more demanding of the oil. Although some manufacturers have lengthened their oil change interval recommendations based on recent upgrades in oil quality, most manufacturers have maintained their previous recommendations. By the definitions in most owners’ manuals, the majority of us drive our cars in “severe” service for which change intervals are about half as long as the normal change intervals. Stop and go, short-trip and around-town driving create very severe conditions for engine oil. We advise against exceeding the vehicle manufacturer engine oil drain interval recommendations for your particular type of service.
