Summary of "We Are Adjusting Our Oil Change Intervals At The Shop!"

Adjusting Oil Change Intervals: Insights from Industry Experience

The video explores how an automotive shop is revising its oil change intervals based on extensive industry knowledge and evolving vehicle trends. It highlights the challenges of modern engines, manufacturer recommendations, and the shop’s new maintenance strategy aimed at improving engine longevity.

Historical Oil Change Intervals

Traditionally, oil changes were recommended every 3 months or 3,000 miles due to older engine designs and lower-quality oils.
With advancements in engine technology and oil formulations, intervals extended progressively to:
- 5,000 miles
- 7,500 miles
- 10,000 miles
- Up to 25,000 miles in some cases
However, extremely long intervals have correlated with increased engine problems, including premature engine failures.

Current Problems with Extended Intervals

Modern engines face several issues related to extended oil change intervals:

Increased Oil Consumption:
- Engines with low ring tension (to meet EPA mileage standards) tend to burn more oil.
- Carbon buildup on piston rings causes them to bind, allowing oil to enter combustion chambers and burn.
Damage to Emission Systems:
- Burning oil harms catalytic converters, leading to costly repairs.
Manufacturer Perspectives:
- Many manufacturers consider significant oil consumption as “normal,” which can be misleading for vehicle owners.
Turbocharged Engines:
- Smaller turbocharged engines generate more heat, accelerating oil breakdown and consumption.

Why Manufacturers Recommend Long Intervals

Several factors influence manufacturers’ recommendations for longer oil change intervals:

Reduced Perceived Maintenance Costs:
- Longer intervals appeal to buyers focused on lowering cost of ownership.
Environmental Incentives:
- Manufacturers may receive carbon credits for recommending fewer fluid services, helping offset emissions elsewhere.
Potential Downsides:
- These incentives may discourage recommendations for more frequent oil changes, despite concerns about engine longevity.

Shop’s New Oil Change Strategy

In response to these challenges, the shop has adopted a revised maintenance approach:

Oil Change Interval:
- Returning to a 5,000-mile oil change interval, regardless of oil type (synthetic or blend).
Focus on Mileage and Driving Habits:
- Less emphasis on time-based intervals; more on actual mileage and driving conditions.
Engine Oil Flushes:
- Recommending engine oil flushes approximately every 30,000 miles to remove carbon buildup.
Adjustments for Severe Conditions:
- Tailoring recommendations based on severe driving conditions or geographic factors such as salt exposure.
Customer Education:
- Emphasizing the importance of more frequent oil changes for engine health and longevity.

Additional Notes

The shop prioritizes vehicle longevity over manufacturer cost-saving measures.
Transmission fluid services, often neglected by manufacturers, are also recommended to maintain vehicle health.
The video encourages viewer interaction through comments and subscriptions.

Notable Mentions

Automotive Test Solutions and BG products are cited as effective for cleaning carbon buildup.
Specific engines, such as the Chrysler 3.6L and various Honda models, are noted for oil consumption issues.
The shop is nearing 200,000 subscribers and plans a giveaway to celebrate.

Conclusion

The video advocates for:

Shorter oil change intervals
Proactive maintenance strategies

These practices aim to extend vehicle life and help avoid costly repairs associated with modern engine designs and extended oil change recommendations.