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c/everyday-myth-debatesuma_johnsonuma_johnson1mo agoProlific Poster

Why do people still believe the 'old oil is better' myth for car engines?

I used to swear by that old saying that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles without fail. My dad drilled it into me since I got my first truck at 16. Last year I actually read the manual for my 2019 Ford F-150 and it says every 7,500 miles for synthetic. I asked my mechanic buddy Steve about it and he laughed, said that myth has been dead for years with modern engines and oils. Now I just follow the manual and check the dipstick every month. But my neighbor still insists he changes his every 3,000 miles using conventional oil. Makes me wonder how much money people waste on this. Has anyone else had a mechanic or dealer tell you the old rule is a scam?
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3 Comments
caleb_thomas93
@the_morgan nailed it, I wasted years and hundreds of dollars following that old rule in my previous trucks before I finally read the manual and switched to synthetic. My mechanic buddy set me straight too, said modern engines and oils are a completely different ballgame.
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grant_hart
grant_hart1mo ago
3,000 miles using conventional oil" yeah that's just burning money these days.
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the_morgan
the_morgan1mo ago
Conventional oil every 3k" is literally throwing cash into the engine bay.
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