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Originally Posted by dbinc
That is not true....just for the people that may not know, reason to change the oil is due to breakdown (heat) and when companies say please change your oil either 3000 miles or 3 months is becuase, even if you don't reach 3000 miles and 3 months come up first you may get condensation in your oil especially in cold climates. If you already have condensation built up and you only drive short distances, your actually not buring the condensation, your actually building it even more.
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This is just a little extreme. Yes, I agree that condensation builds up in the oil as a result of short trips in cold weather, when the engine never gets hot enough to burn off the condensation. The solution isn't to change the oil every 3 months, rather it is to drive the vehicle correctly.
'Wayne's Garage' is an oil change outlet that includes your quotes on their website. They also suggest that if you want to go to 6000 miles it is a good idea to change to synthetic oil. Slightly outdated given BMW requirements for synthetic oil.
3000 mile oil change interval recommendations are based on traditional (non-synthetic) oils used in vehicles with 4 quart sumps. This interval is also promoted by the oil change industry (no surprise).
While BMW and many others recommend a severe service schedule (reduced oil change intervals) that includes extended idling or many short trips in very cold weather, at no point is there a reason to go down to 3000 miles/3 months, except for the feel-good factor.
At the end of the day, every owner has to decide what is right for them. However, scare tactics promoted by Valvoline and oil change shops don't help. If you want to be really good to your car, follow the severe service schedule which cuts the oil change interval in half (7500 miles), and remember the time limit if you don't reach the mileage limit.
Oil is still a finite resource, and there is also the disposal impact. Both good reasons not to waste it.