The only comment I'd add to this is to get a regular air filter. The K&N air filters have been known to allow more dust through than a regular paper filter, and it's not uncommon for dusted turbos on diesel engines. Gas engines don't have turbos to dust, but letting in more particulates will eventually cause serious problems. I'm not a fan of oiled filters at all.

Secondly I completely concur with the above consensus regarding oil additives. And DSMMH, it's folks like you that terrify me of buying used vehicles!

While you're not harming anything with 3,000 mile oil changes, you're wasting lots of oil and money in the process. The need for oil changes that often is a myth perpetuated by the service industry who stands to profit greatly through unnecessary maintenance. The auto manufacturers have been advising extended intervals for many years now, and I have never heard of anyone having a problem with going 6-8,000 miles on an oil change interval as long as the conditions aren't severe.

My current oil was used to drag 15,000 lbs on a 1,500 mile trip, and I'll be changing it at 5,000 miles.

 

Crazy001, you mention extended oil change intervals if conditions are not severe. All manufacturers I see listing conditions as severe pretty much include any form of normal daily driving, IE, stop and go traffic, short trips, dirt roads, etc. That is why I have continued to do the 3000 mile oil changes.

 

The k&n's also tend to oil the maf sensor with adverse effects.
Some German car makers go as far as 15k miles between changes. They use good synthetic oils. Seems to work although most people change it sooner if they hold the cars long term. I personally wouldn't go 15k either, but 7500 is a nice trade off.
I'd use synthetic and change it at 5k. IF you are worried, send the oil in for analysis. Blackstone labs is one of them. Costs about 20 bucks last time I checked.

 

But how do they define severe service?

Below you'll find the related page from my '00 Manetenance guide, you'll notice that shorter oil change cycles are only required if the vehicle is primarily used under certain conditions. Daily driving for the vast majority of people isn't anything like what's described below.

I've driven other vehicles with systems designed to monitor the way the vehicle is operated and determine when the oil needs to be changed based on how the computer calculates usage. General Motors, Honda, and now Ford have gone to this technology and have been very successful with it; cars with these systems don't have a specified maintenance interval in the owner's guide, they simply tell you to go by when the vehicle tells you to change the oil. My wife's Honda would go nearly 12,000 miles before asking for an oil change, and the GM cars I've driven at work typically will go 6-7,000 miles before asking for an oil change.

My 2011 Mustang had 59% oil life remaining when I hit 10,000 miles on the factory fill; I changed it and ran a Blackstone report on the oil. Everything was well within spec and the Blackstone tech even suggested checking back after the break-in period to see about going even longer than 10,000 miles.

Changing every 3,000 miles is a waste of money for the vast majority of us. Short of those in law enforcement or emergency services who idle almost continuously there are very few situations that require 3,000 mile oil change intervals. To read more check out - Bob is the Oil Guy.

 

personally i've been using synthetic and changing at 7-7500 miles.

 

I change it when it gets black.

 

It seems I may have to re-evaluate my oil change interval!