Lubrication Intervals

I am a member of the Automotive Oil Change Association (yes, I know, yawn) and we have the same on-going debates about motor oil. Do we change at 3000 miles? 20,000 km? Never? Whenever?

There is no industry consensus on this, and we have hundreds of millions of automobiles driving around. You would think there would be some common agreement, but NO.

The oil-changers (read: watchmakers) say 3-5 thousand miles. That's in the US where bulk oil is no more than $1.00 per litre.

The manufacturers say "Change when our reminder light comes on" which is about 12,000 miles or 20,000 km.

The actual customer seems to be changing oil about 5500 miles, or near 10,000 km.

I predict this is a discussion of value that will never be decided.

I have 9 cars; I change their oil about once a year each, whether that's 2000 miles or 12,000 miles. I have 50 watches and overhaul them when they stop keeping good time.

Cheers

Mike