(AP) – Major automakers agree that the conventional wisdom of changing oil every 3,000 miles is outdated due to oil and engine technology improvements. Here are the recommendations from the largest automakers for normal driving conditions:
General Motors Corp.: Sensor determines oil life on 95 percent of models; 7,500 miles for models without sensors.
Ford Motor Co.: Recently increased to 7,500 miles on new models, up from 5,000.
Toyota Motor Corp.: Decreased from 7,500 to 5,000 in 2004.
Chrysler Group: 6,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.
Honda Motor Corp: Sensor determines oil life on all 2007 models and many in prior years. Last recommendation before sensors was 10,000 miles.
Nissan Motor Co.: 7,500 miles or six months, whichever comes first, but 3,750 miles or three months for vehicles used for towing, frequent trips of up to five miles in normal temperatures or up to 10 miles in freezing temperatures, stop-and-go driving in hot weather or long-distance driving at low speed.