In Europe, they look upon the 5000km oil change as another example of
American waste. 16,000km oil changes are rather normal there. Of course,
they also have the oils to support it. So do we, but you won't find 'em on
the shelf at Wal-Mart, and they don't cost $2/qt.

I've never changed my oil ever 3000 miles, nor have I ever owned a car
that recommended it in its owner's manual.  The only people that think
I should do 3000-mile oil changes are the ones selling the oil change
service.  See their motivation?

My PT Cruiser recommends a 7500-mile oil change interval for normal
driving.  That's what I do.  The Turbo version of that car specifies a
5000-mile interval -- turbocharged cars will typically have a shorter
oil interval.  But it's all in the manual.

If you fit the manual's description of "severe duty," it will usually
specify a shorter interval.

In short, listen to the manual, not the oil salesman.

I had my 2001 A6 2.5 tdi serviced today. I'm doing the long life
service, which means that the engine management systems tell me when
to change oil. The previous oil change was 25000 km, or 15kmi +. That
requires specially approved 0W-30 oil. Depending on driving habits it
may run up to 30000 km between changes. Audi has some models that can
run up to 50000 km between changes.

10kmi is old stuff here in europe. Has been like that for at least ten
years.

3kmi sounds like the 60:s to me

Cheers,
Thomas (in Sweden)

You must be kidding? Every 10,000 miles? Surely not?
Most of their engines now run up to 20,000 miles with diesels up to 30,000.
So why would you even consider less than 10,000 miles between oil changes?

Huw