I took my car to pick up a pack of drain plug washers at my local honda dealer. Simple thing, really. While I was there, one of the service writers told me that I should be changing the oil more frequently since my car is "old and has a lot of miles".
My first thought is that it's a bunch of crap. Yeah it's old (er) but it's never been to this dealer and he only knew the mileage because he asked me.
It did get me thinking though. Is there any benefit to more frequent oil and filter changes? I'm usually a twice a year or every 5k miles type, but since I can do oil and filter for around $20, it wouldn't hurt financially to do it more often.. is there a benefit, or is it the same frequency no matter the age. It's been every 3-5k miles since it was new. Original owner did every 3k and I bumped it to 5k. Synthetic blend 5w20. I feel like it's fine, just wanted some extra thought.

 

I would maintain 3-5K, unless its been driven hard...lots of stop and go etc. or in really hot or really cold conditions. But I dont know if i would run 5w-20...assuming it is asking for 5w-30. Unless yours asks for 5w-20.

 

Only real way to know what condtion your engine and oil are in is to have the oil analyzed. Blackstone Labs
Standard Analysis

You would want to do at least three tests to verify. A single test may be a fluke and indicate high wear or no wear. This can be exacerbated if there was recent work done on the engine.

 

Yup. Book and the oil cap say 5w20 on mine. I'll stick with that, then.
Thanks

 

Oil mostly get black because of blow-by. Older cars will have more wear and will exhibit more blow-by which causes the oil to go bad earlier.

I like mike's idea, as usual, you can have them send you a free kit, and you pay $20 to have em test a sample after an oil change. It will tell you what kind of condition your oil is in which can tell you if you can go longer or need to go less.

 

He's wrong.

None.

Use a quality oil and filter and stick to your OCI,youre doing fine.