Oil Changes: 3 months or 3,000 miles

[s9marti7]

I drive a 99 Taurus. I live in a small town so I don't drive 1,000 miles a month. In the past I have been getting oil changes every 3 months, but if I don't drive 3,000 miles in those 3 months do I really need to get my oil changed?

I drive my car everyday just not a lot. How frequently should I get oil changes regardless of miles driven?

[rivguy]

there is 2 schedules for oil changes - 3/3000 and 5/5000 depending on service use. if you do short drives you need to stick to the 3/3000 whichever comes first to prevent engine failures due to condendstion in the engine and moisture buildup in the oil.

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

It also depends on if you use conventional oil or the newer more advanced synthetics. The synthetics can go for much longer. Around 7-8000

[e_powers]

i ignore the 3 month option especially since i routinely drive my cars long enough to get water evaporated out of the oil. but i make sure every 3000 miles it is changed

[Huney1]

123

[rivguy]

guess again that depends on the climate and driving style - I'm in michigan and with our temp changes and humidity - you would have a milkshake instead of oil by then.

[way2old]

We have about 1300 vehicles in our fleet and use 15w40 and change at 4 months or 4,000 miles. We have had no oil related engine failures. We don't even have the famous Ford timing chain noise. Must be doing something right .