Ford has been studying the question of when to suggest oil changes, and they've hit upon 7,500 miles for 2007 and newer cars. Not only are modern oils better, modern engines are also better. You don't have carburetors metering poorly on winter mornings, tolerances are a lot tighter, and operating temperatures are typically a little hotter, helping to cook off the junk that accumulates in the oil. Some manufacturers use a sensor to monitor the health of the oil and light a service lamp when it calculates change is required. Ford contends that its customers prefer a set amount of miles between changes. The automaker also cites the environmental benefits that come from less waste oil, monetary savings, as well as extensive tests as positive aspects of the new recommendation. I'm convinced that the only reason to suggest changing the oil at 3,000 miles in a modern car is to sell more oil. Perhaps an air-cooled Porsche would stress dino juice more, and could sensibly require changes at 3K, but you can stretch to drain intervals that would make your father gasp and clutch his chest by running modern oils in your modern engine. Of course, your driving pattern has a lot to do with it, as well. If you're in town for short hops, you'll require a shorter drain interval than the guy running Mobil 1 for his highway commute and changing the oil at 25 kilomile intervals (raising my hand).

[Source: AP]

3,000K is a number the oil companies came up with to sell more oil IMHO. This number makes more sense. Especially with the technology in todays oil!

Interesting read...

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^May she RIP^
Rob
My Vehicles
TwoLOUDs myspace

I've noticed this new light they are talking about in 07 Hondas. It tells you how much life you got left in the oil and when you need a change

I wonder if it is tracking miles.. speed. length of driving and stuff like that to come up with their numbers. or if there is a sensor actually checking the quality of the oil.

I'm guess its my first thoughts

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If you Honda set up is anything like GM's it follows an algorithm to determine oil life. It monitors multiple things like run time, engine temp, air temp, miles, throttle position, average length of trips, etc. There is no sensors to check oil quality.

This is an excellent move as 3000 miles truly is not necessary.

Ken

I don't own a new Honda right now. But I was in my friends 07 Pilot the other day and noticed this light. It also told him % of life left in the oil.

How accurate is this. How does the computer know if the car has been filed with syn or dino?

I would guess that would make a big difference!

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No the car does not know if it is using dino or synthetic. They are programed for dino oil unless the car must use synthetic. Following the GM OLM has shown excellent results in oil analysis.

That makes no sense to me. Except for the initial factory fill... I thought most cars suggest synthetic oil with longer changes these days.

And what happens if your cars was not filled with syn at the factory and later you want to go with syn. Are you not supposed to follow the computer. If its 7,500 on dino how far can you go with syn?

10,000

I notice Mobil has a 15K oil these days

Well it is better to error on the side of caution when the factor programs from dino. This way if someone runs synthetic you know that they will be safe whereas if it was programed for running syn and someone ran dino you may not be so lucky.

That Mobil 1 oil may be marketed as 15,000 but if you read the small print you will find that they suggest following OEM recommendations. On the other hand, AMSOIL has recommended 15+K miles since 1972. They just released a new 0w-20 that will be excellent in the Ford's using 5w-20. http://www.modernoils.com/asm_0w20.html

15K since 72 :eek: I know there have been huge advances in oil technology. but what about the filters back then. Would a filter from 1972 go 15K

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A lot of the European car makers now have a 12,000 mile recommended oil change interval. They are even equipped with a oil quality sensor. I know that my Mercedes-Benz is equipped with what is called the Flexible Service System, which includes a very sophisticated oil quality monitor. "The system looks at driving speeds, cold starts, short-distance trips and other factors that can negatively affect oil life. It also monitors the quality of the oil – particles in suspension and other factors – and it can judge when the oil has deteriorated to the extent that it needs to be replaced."

It is possible that the other manufacturers have similar systems.

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the sharpest tool in the shed
1989 Mustang 5.0 GT (25th Anniversary Edition)
~hobby car~

What oil filters do you all use. Just curious. I've been buying the higher grade Purolator, Pure-One.

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46 1/2 ton with 56 292:thumbsup:

Those get good reviews. I use Napa Gold filters. Mobil 1 filters are good but expensive. I think those Pure-Ones you are using should be fine for just about anything

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