The state says you’re probably changing your car’s oil way too often.

The state Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery is pushing the message that the idea of changing the oil every 3,000 miles is a myth for most cars, especially newer ones

“With significant advances in auto technology, it’s important for drivers to understand that changing motor oil every 3,000 miles is an old default that may not be relevant for their vehicle,” department Director Caroll Mortensen said in a statement. “Frequent oil changes do not necessarily mean better performance or longer engine life. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you will not only do right by your ride, but you’ll also benefit the environment by using fewer resources.”

The department found in a recent survey that almost 15 million Californians change their motor oil every 3,000 miles or less even though many cars can go farther between oil changes. For example, it noted, Toyota recommends an oil change every 5,000 miles for a 2005 Tacoma pickup, while General Motors recommends 7,500 miles for its 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. Ford suggests oil changes at 10,000 miles for most of its new cars.

The department says if your car or truck doesn’t need frequent oil changes, you’ll help the environment with less used oil. It said that if Californians changed their car’s oil based on the manufacturer’s specifications, the demand for motor oil in the state  would be cut by about 10 million gallons a year.

You can find the manufacturer recommendation in your owner’s manual or by going to CheckYourNumber.org to get the recommended oil change intervals.  CLICK HERE to go to CheckYourNumber.org.

To see more info from the state, CLICK HERE.

If you want to read more about this, the Los Angeles Times recently ran a story and you can read it by CLICKING HERE.

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