The latest hot automotive topic online revolves around the new 10,000-mile oil changes manufacturers are touting for their engines. Critic’s question: How could this do any good for their engine? I asked Jason Head, senior engineering manager for Valvoline Global Services about this and other oil-related items.
Traditional oil-change intervals
Years ago oil change intervals were based on either mileage or time. In those days, the industry standard was 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever occurred sooner. This recommendation was based on the oil technology not being very advanced at the time.
Many people also changed their oil within the first 500 miles of the vehicle’s life during the engine break-in period.
You’ll still see people promoting these oil change intervals and engine break-ins requiring oil changes online.
Why have things changed?
The simplest answer is the advancements made in oils and new engine development breakthroughs pushed forward by the industry and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations. Those regulations push for both better fuel economy and a reduction in carbon emissions.
These days, engine oil is infused with additives, making it last longer, and offer better protection than heavier weight oils. Also, the push for better fuel economy has driven the need for lighter oils that create less friction inside the engine. Plus, engine design has gotten better with tighter tolerances between mechanical parts necessitating the need for thinner oil.
Automakers and oil companies, like Vavoline, have worked hand-in-hand to develop these new oils. They have also tested and validated their long 10,000-mile oil-change intervals, and third-party laboratories have verified those results.
Furthermore, new engines no longer have break-in periods. According to numerous owner’s manuals from a variety of brands I’ve read throughout the last few years, this is a thing of the past.
Finally, this new oil has even changed color over the years. Sorry Hollywood, it is no longer “black gold.” After refinement, the oil color is clear and turns a darker golden color after additives are added. Valvoline’s Head said this is specifically the case when “Base Oil” gets refined into Group 2 or 3 oils, which have higher viscosity ratings through refinements.
Engines carry more oil
After the video posted, Head reached out to say another change deals with how engines now hold more oil than before.
“GM LS/LT engines for example went from 6 quarts in the early 2000’s up to 8.5 quarts now (41.7% increase),” he said. “That extra capacity allows the oil more time to cool as well as more oil/additives to prevent oxidation & wear.
“For oil drain intervals, my guidance is to follow your manufacturer’s recommended oil drain during your factory warranty period. Outside of warranty, with a good used oil analysis sampling program you can determine if your specific duty cycle & oil selection allows for a longer drain interval. It’s a case by case data driven process to extend.”
Companies like Blackstone Laboratories, whom I’ve used on numerous occasions, can provide you with a detailed report on your oil and a good idea on your engine’s health.
Criticism of 10k mile oil changes
After publishing our video interview, the comments started flowing criticizing the information and suggesting other sources as more accurate.
The criticisms suggest automakers get CAFE credits, automakers set intervals for oil changes based on their warranty period, excessive oil changes are bad for the environment and longer oil changes actually cause damage to engines.
There was also a dizzying array of different oil-change intervals suggested by numerous commenters. For example, some change at 1,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 7,500, etc.
The reality is people have been indoctrinated with a set oil-change interval, and change is hard.
Also, the CAFE rules are constantly changing making the credit claim inaccurate now. However, if you heard someone say that today, you could easily believe that to be factual information with today’s highly politically charged view on the EPA’s emissions rules. Plus, most oil these days is recycled and synthetic oils are seen as good for the environment over traditional oils.
Longer intervals damaging the engines is a debatable topic with numerous laboratories like Valvoline and automakers themselves disputing these claims. Anecdotal stories from mechanics also counter these claims.
Then again, you may also hear oil-change places like Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers recommended a different, likely shorter, oil-change intervals, which creates more confusion. To be clear, Head pointed out the oil-change business is now a different entity than Valvoline Global Operations.
The bottom line
The reality is nobody is dictating to you when you should change your oil. That’s still your choice.
What automakers and oil companies are saying is that oil is good for 10k miles for most people. They have tested it and stand by it.
However, if you tow a lot, drive like a sports car driver or simply hold onto the idea that oil changes are cheaper than replacing an engine, you will want to change your oil sooner.
It really does come to the vehicle’s duty cycle and how well it is maintained. It doesn’t really matter how long the oil is good for if you never change it and put the vehicle through a rigorous duty-cycle.
Opinions will simply vary, and there’s nothing wrong changing your oil sooner.
