Taking on the 3,000-mile drain interval

Lubes-n-Greases automotive editor David McFall recently took a cynical look at the standard 3,000-mile oil change.

In his February 2003 column, David McFall explored the issue of API certified oils and 3,000-mile drain intervals. He explained that automotive and lubricants industries joined forces a decade ago to form a new quality program for gasoline motor oils.

Oils meeting a set of minimum requirements were allowed to display the API Certification Mark, or starburst. Automobile manufacturers favored the new system because it provided a simple, almost foolproof way to ensure their customers use the correct oil for their engines, while significantly decreasing the likelihood of customers purchasing substandard oils.

The lubricants industry also became a strong supporter of the system. "It leveraged the starburst's single, one-size-fits-all quality level to deflect attention from the feasibility of technically sound quality tiers," explains McFall. "After all, such tiers might lead to premium, higher-performing products with extended drain capabilities."

By avoiding specific motor oil quality tiers during the oil quality upgrade process, the industry has avoided the issue of extended drain intervals and concentrated its efforts on promoting 3,000-mile oil changes. McFall, once employed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), sees the 3,000-mile propaganda as a disservice to consumers.

"Wrapped tightly inside the industry-coerced 3,000-mile straightjacket, consumers get suckered into frequent drain intervals and millions of unnecessary oil changes," explains McFall. "The environmental cost of short drain intervals is measured in the tens of millions of wasted gallons of used engine oil, much of it dumped untreated into the environment annually."

In Europe, extended drain intervals have flourished under a quality tiered engine oil certification system, averaging 10,000 miles. In fact, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Europe encourage extended drains if higher quality oil is used.

AMSOIL synthetic motor oils are formulated to exceed not only the one-size-fits-all minimum quality standards of API, but also the most stringent worldwide specifications.

AMSOIL has been providing the ultimate in wear protection and performance for drain intervals of up to 35,000 miles or one year for the last 30 years.

AMSOIL is the undisputed leader in synthetics... AMSOIL is Proudly Made in the U.S.A.

JP Synthetic Technologies 22 Locust Rd Bordentown, NJ 0850 1-800-305-2688 Email Us Today with Any Questions