The regular oil change I went in for at the new place turned into a bill of $700! My vehicle has just 70,000 miles on it and the mechanic told me I am getting sludge in my engine due to not changing the oil enough. He told me it should be changed every 3,000 miles. I felt the oil he drained from the engine and it did feel a little gritty.
I purchased this car with the intention of driving it for a long time. Because of the sludge that was starting to form, he suggested a $150 ‘oil flush treatment.’ He suggested a brake fluid flush and bleed for $72, and two-part fuel injection cleaning for $128 (‘every 30,000 miles’), transmission flush and fill every 30,000 miles for $153.
According to this mechanic, these services should have been done at regular intervals, which are not laid out in the service guide for the vehicle owner.
When am I supposed to change the oil of my car? Other cars I’ve owned I have always changed it at 3,000 miles. But I thought oils and engines have changed over the years and a car can go longer between oil changes.
Does this mechanic just want me to bring my car into his shop more frequently? Is he pulling shenanigans with me because I am a female?
I also own a 2007 Honda Civic which does not state in the owner’s manual when to change the oil; a computer tells the driver how much oil life is left on the car. I have put more than 5,000 miles on the car since I purchased it and the computer is still telling me I have ‘40 percent oil life’ remaining. How does a proper oil change schedule apply?”
Halderman: You have been doing everything correctly. Changing the oil every 7,500 miles according to the recommended interval and if using the specified oil will NOT cause any engine problems.
The oil life monitoring system uses either a sensor or a computer program to calculate the oil life based on the number of cold starts, length of time the engines was running and many other factors.
Many of the suggested services may be helpful, but I usually only recommend service procedures and intervals that are recommended by the vehicle manufacturers.
Therefore, I suggest that you continue to have the oil changed in both vehicles based on the oil change light for least amount of expense.
James D. Halderman is an ASE-certified master technician. Submit your automotive care questions to Halderman via e-mail at jhalderman2@juno.com, or write him in care of: Wheels, Marketing Publications Department, Dayton Daily News, 1611 S. Main St., Dayton OH 45409.
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