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New Technology May Mean Fewer Oil Changes and Increased Environmental Efficiency


June 2008 (Medialink) - Everyone knows you need to change your car oil every 3,000 miles, right? Well, maybe not. The traditional oil change recommendation was based on decades-old engine and oil technologies. Today's engines are built using advanced technology, reducing or eliminating contaminants and increasing the recommended time between oil changes.

According to organizations like the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the need to reduce waste oil is significant. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 185 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of each year, dumped onto the ground, thrown in the trash, or poured down the drain. And the CIWMB says that just one gallon of used motor oil can contaminate a million gallons of drinking water.

New in-vehicle technologies, like GM Oil Life System, can reduce the frequency between oil changes by calculating each engine's oil "life." The system is a sophisticated technology that determines the optimum oil change interval for each vehicle, based upon how individual drivers have used it. This can add up to two or three less oil changes a year, saving more than 100 million gallons of oil annually. Less motor oil consumed helps to reduce environmental impact and saves drivers money.



Source: Medialink  

I usually go about 5,000 mi between changes with Mobil 1 on my car.  

I usually just follow the manufacturer's recommended change interval, however I haven't had a car that tells me to change my oil in less than 7500 mile intervals. Stick with a good oil and new filter every time and don't let Jiffy Lube do it, and don't forget the crush washer.