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A few cautions about the info in this. Before extending oil changes, check what the manufacturer specifies for “Severe driving” and check the conditions listed for “severe driving.” Most people actually should follow the “severe driving” maintenance schedule because most people fall into the conditions listed for “severe driving.”

With many newer cars, especially GM vehicles, there is an indicator for when the oil must be changed. You can follow these indicators as they take loads, temperatures and other things into account. Depending on how you drive, you might get 4,000 miles before it says "Oil Change Required" or, if you drive gently, you could get 9,000 miles before the indicator says an oil change is needed.

I used to work in a car dealership. Some of our vehicles had the smart oil change indicator systems. The ones that came in at 12,000 miles for their second or even third oil change were the ones who abused their cars. They often needed brake pads and other wear items (tires) by this time, where others who were in for their second oil change after 15,000 to 18,000 miles often had hardly any wear at all on these items.

As for tire pressures, you will wear a set of tires out in a hurry by over inflating them to maximum pressure (as shown on the sidewalls). Go with the auto manufacturer’s recommendation. A few extra PSI will save a bit of gas, but could cause the center of the tire to wear quicker, reducing tire life. Things vary based on the individual car and driving style. Watching tire wear closely (with a tread depth gauge) can get you tuned in to where it is best.

From the desk of
cc2k:

Candidates I support: Doug Hoffman for Congress, NY 23rd (PayPal), David Harmer for Congress, CA 10th (website for info).

Please, spread the word about these important special elections on November 3, 209: New York’s 23rd congressional district and California’s 10th congressional district.

Get more life out of your 0wn a$$ as well by not havin' too much air in the tire, each pound up saves gas, yes, but a harder tire grips less in a panic stop.

Sometimes even a few feet can save you from becoming part of a pole.

They ride nicer on the softer side as well.

I change the oil as often as I feel like it, water is the only thing this palnet(new freeper word) has more of than oil.

There's a reverse exponential slope to the detergents dirt handling (read holding) ability and during the lower part of the slope the dirt abrades and gooks up things, I'd rather get rid of it and replace with fresh and clean.

So far so good (23 year old Toyota w.231,000 miles).

It's nice not having car payments since well into the previous century ( one less thing).