When I do a Google maps search on New York to Los Angeles–the quintessential trans-American journey!–I get a minimum distance of 2,777 miles.

What is the first thing you think of when putting on that many miles? Oil change. That’s both time and money out of your pocket!

As I was pondering this issue, I began pondering another issue: How often should I change my oil? Personally, I am in the habit of changing it every 5,000 miles (as my owner’s manual recommends). But I questioned this assumption and did a little research online.

An About.com article says,

Ford recently increased its official service interval between oil changes from 5000 to 7500 miles. You may not consider the Ford Motor Company to be the end-all authority on engine care, but considering how safe they’re forced to play things, I consider this announcement a huge stride. Hopefully other auto makers will follow.Was it a scam all along? No! At least I very seriously doubt it. But the original oil change figures were come up with quite some time ago, and both engines and engine oils have changed for the better since then. Newer oil formulas can reach insane temperatures without breaking down, and the newer detergent additives in oil continue to reduce build-up inside your engine.

This article was apparently from back in 2007, although I had not heard the 7,500 mile figure until I read this.

Let’s not rely on a single source, however. Here’s Car Talk in 2005:

However, there’s a lot of controversy about exactly when engine oil gets old and how often it should be replaced with new oil. Because there are many factors at work – how you drive, the condition and age of the engine, the external environment you drive in, and stop-and-go versus highway driving – it’s an inexact science. Owner’s manual recommendations for oil and filter changes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 miles.

We recommend that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. That’s our best estimate. It may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last to a ripe, old age.

Finally, Wikipedia has an article on the 3,000 mile myth:

The 3,000 mile myth refers to a common belief that all cars should have their oil changed at least every 3,000 miles to maintain their car engine correctly. Efforts are under way to convince the public that this is not necessary, and that people should follow the advice given in their owner’s manual rather than the advice of the oil-change businesses.

So what is my advice as your responsible auto transport blogger? Check your owner’s manual and go with that figure.

OK, back to auto transport (and you know that Nationwide is your best choice for an auto transporter, right?). Your NY-LA journey is going to cost you about 1/2 an oil change and, in any event, 2,777 miles of wear and tear on your vehicle.

That’s why shipping your car with Nationwide makes so much sense. You avoid the all the costs and time required for that long journey! Want to start saving? Talk to a Nationwide Auto Transport Specialist today!

Chip Shipt
The Nationwide Auto Transport Blog Team

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