I have a 04' Ford Expedition. All the places I have had the oil changed say to come back after 3k miles. I have heard that this is not really necessary and you can go 5k. Is that recommended or should I stick to 3k. Just looking for ways to cut spending in this economy!

If most of your driving is highway miles then 5k oil changes shouldn't be a problem but if most of your driving is stop and go with many start ups or you travel dirt or dusty roads regularly then I would suggest staying with the 3K factory recommended change interval.

Follow the recommendations in your owners manual. They generally have 2 charts by the type of driving and conditions you drive in. Follow the one that's closest to your habits/conditions. The "3000 mile oil change" has been generally around as a means to generate revenue for these quick change places. With modern oil having been improved over the past ten to fifteen years, they can go longer intervals between changes than their predecessors. Some vehicle manufacturers have increased their recommended oil change intervals over the years, so it's best to check your owners manual.Make sure you use a good quality oil filter as well as the recommended weight oil.