When to Change Your Oil and Why

    GRANBURY, TX, June 24, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- We've all heard the saying "Change your oil every 3,000 miles." Well times have changed, and the old "3,000 mile" adage may or may not apply to your vehicle. The 3000-mile oil change is a conservative approach to maintaining your vehicle that, according to General Motors, dates back to 1968. It's also an oil change interval that the automotive oil change industry continues to encourage.

Automobile manufacturers cite modern oil and engine technology as the reasons why oil change intervals can be extended. Numerous factors come into play when determining the oil change interval you should follow including: the vehicle you drive and how you drive it, oil and filter selection, and if your vehicle has an oil life monitoring system.

Every manufacturer establishes recommended oil change intervals for each model they produce. Oil change intervals are now 5,000 - 7,500 miles for many new cars. If you're not sure where your vehicle fits in this range, consult your owner's manual or ask your oil change professional at your next service appointment.

Understanding the Oil Life Monitoring System
A relatively new technology impacting oil change intervals is the oil life monitor. Many people are unaware that oil life monitor systems are simply computer software algorithms that determine when to change oil based on engine operating conditions. An oil life monitor considers mileage, speed and idling time to calculate when you should change the oil. A better name for the oil life monitor would be "oil life predictor."

There is no actual oil condition sensor. No chemical analysis of the oil takes. In fact, you could drain the oil and replace it with any fluid and the oil change monitor would have no way of knowing it. Additionally, the oil life monitor does not check how well your oil filter is filtering the oil in your system. Contaminated oil is just as, if not more, harmful than oxidized motor oil. The bottom line is that an oil life monitor is a useful tool that should be used in conjunction with common sense and good judgment. Whether or not you have an oil change monitor, if your car is still under warranty, continue to follow the car manufacturer's recommended oil change intervals.

Extend Your Oil Changes by Upgrading to Synthetic
If your car is no longer under warranty, you can extend your oil change intervals by upgrading to synthetic motor oil. This will reduce the number of oil changes saving you time and money, and reducing the amount of oil purchased and disposed.

There are a number of quality synthetic motor oils available to choose from. Most lubricant manufacturers will give a recommended number of miles you can drive between oil changes under normal conditions. The number of miles you can allow between oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidation stability (useful oil life) of the motor oil.

Oxidation stability is measured by the ASTM's rigorous Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT). The test is so severe that it lasts 1300 minutes. Conventional motor oils typically last less than 300 minutes. Synthetic motor oils typically last less than 500 minutes. One high performance synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple has been shown to outlast the duration of the test. Royal Purple motor oils are recommended to extend oil changes intervals to 12,000 miles under normal driving conditions. It has also been shown to improve fuel economy and performance, while reducing emissions. You can find out more at www.royalpurple.com or ask your oil change professional at any quick change place that carries Royal Purple.

Upgrade Your Oil Filter with Your Upgraded Oil
If you elect to upgrade your motor oil, you should also upgrade your oil filter. Low quality filters are often made with the 3,000 mile interval in mind and may go into 'bypass' mode shortly thereafter. There are premium oil filters on the market from manufacturers such as Royal Purple, Wix, Purolator and K&N. Check the recommended filter change interval on any filter your purchase (each filter will be rated for a different mile interval) or ask your oil change professional during your next service.

Royal Purple makes synthetic products for numerous automotive and consumer needs. For more information about Royal Purple or its products, contact Royal Purple Inc., One Royal Purple Lane, Porter, TX 77365, 281-354-8600, www.royalpurple.com.

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