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.

 

Yea, the 3 month 3000 mile oil change interval was conjured up over a half century ago. Numerous advances in oil refining and production, as well as highly advanced detergents and polymers make it no longer necessary for the 3K interval. Unless the vehicle is driven in the most extreme circumstances and conditions. Ford changes the oil on my girlfriend's Fusion, and they do it every 5K, with a 5W20.

I work for a fleet management company, and the interval for oil changes on the fleet is 4-5K, as the condition warrants, or 200 hours of run time. Even broader intervals for synthetic. And we all know how fleet vehicles are driven (with the utmost regard and care, yea right!) We seldom have any issues with that interval.

And, yes, I plan to change my own oil in the Challenger. I bet it will have that plastic splash guard underneath like the 300/Charger/Magnum do, and it needs to be removed to change the oil and filter.

 

RLSH, absolutely. I've never gone longer the mfgr says. And until recently, I never went past 3. The research I've done indicates doing @ 3 is just wasting $.

I've had two cars that lasted over 230K one I gave to a friend who killed it (Camry...that had to be changed every 3k cause it was actually burning and a car that old isn't getting new rings) and a Subaru approx 240K (went into a entrance ramp a little hot on a rainy night...when you're in it....you're in it).

I would certainly never go longer than what is stated, and I don't rag my cars out....from time to time I'll clean the carbon deposits out and take the tach up a bit...but for the most part, I'm a low rev, easy going shifter....

I just can't get over the oil weight 5w20....

 

MoparNut, argh....I hope they don't have the plastic splash guard...why make a relatively simple job more complicated...maybe get one of those crank pumps they sell no JC Whitney....