The oil companies would like you to change every 3 months but going 3000 miles or 6 months is standard pratice. Allthough I fell this only benefits the place that is selling you the service or the oil. The 3000 mile oil change is, in my opinion, one of the biggest scams on the American public ever.
Our fleet at work has been going for 5000 miles and no time limit for the 30 yrs I worked there. each driver was responsible for havign the work done, we had no company shops to go too. We had 1000's of vehicles and changing oil at 3000 miles was an unnecessary expense. My 1999 Subruban K2500 was in severe service, it idled 8-10 hrs a day, pulled trailers all the time, yet whe I retired in Oct it had 95,000 miles and no one engine problem. It never used any oil between oil changes. Due to time contraints and budget issues I was forced to use the quick lube places 99% of the time. They gave us a fleet price, could drive in and be out in 15 min. without any hassel. Had to watch them like a hawk though, they sometimes would not lube the chassis, not change the air filter or change it every 5000 miles etc. btw-No synthetics were allowed, I always insisted on Havoline 5W30 and one place kept it in stock just for my trucks (had 2, 1999 Subruban and 2001 Dodge E. Cab 2500, both 4WD)
[ January 09, 2003, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: Mike ]