ORIGINAL: DamnSkippy
With you Jeremiah. I used to be a believer in every three thousand miles, until I researched oil. Mfgr's were saying for normal driving conditions, 7500 miles is OK. I have hunkered down on the 5K myself for ease of remembering. Plus, if I go over (right now I'm at 6) I can just pick throw it on their and get on schedule at the next interval. Last changed at 60K, now at 66. I will change it this weekend and just put 4 on it this time at 70K.
The only thing that concerns me is 5w20? Being that thin, I've never been a sythetic oil believer, but maybe I go with that.
Right now I use Shell Rotella T 10w30 (you have to order it as they don't keep that weight in stock 15w40 -what I put in my bikes- is what they keep in stock). 5w20, that' just seems pretty close to 3 in 1 to me....
The issue is that if the manufacturer requires it as is common in performance engines, you might have to do it. I tend to have mine done at 3K because I would like to play it safe and since I want my engines to last past 200K, I'm willing to spend the extra money to ensure that happens. 5K I think you can get away with, but +7K on conventional motor oil isn't a safe idea if you ask me. Ask 2.7L owners how well their engines responded to waiting that long.