Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by jliptzin 1839 days ago
Ive always been told I need oil changes every 3-5,000 miles, if that’s not true it’s news to me. Also, my state mandates annual inspections so I assume a professional is checking for those things during the inspection.
2 comments

It is not that it isn't absolutely true, it isn't true anymore with many (most) engines and lubricants, and unless "special" cases.

Lubricating oils have changed a lot in the last 30-40 years, as well as materials used in the engine construction.

The differences between mineral oils and semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oils is huge, modern oils are simply not comparable.

A related old discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14969605

The manufacturer is the one that knows (obviously) the most about the engine so you should stick to the recommended type of oil and recommended oil change interval, doing it more often than that is simply a waste.

I think that stopped being the rule in the 1970s; if not, at the latest in the 1980s.