With the right oil that's a non-issue. Europeans have been going much longer than us on intervals, and they're OCD on MPG.

I don't think the Euros have CAFE...

I just have a hard time believing mileage drops that much to cover the cost of the more frequent oil changes. It kind of like someone saying synthetic will pay for it's self with gas mileage increase alone. I doubt it. And we have some very credible sources saying oil reduces friction after 3k miles of use. And I'm saying this as a person who favors shorter OCI.

Got to get those big wheels turning again..whatever it costs.

But we have high fuel and oil prices.

Only thing i see shortening OCI is the increasing use of ethanol in fuel.

No, but at $5 to $9/gallon, we'd be wise to see what they are doing. I'm sure they have their own CAFE-like stuff.

From wiki: "The United States and Canada have the weakest standards in terms of fleet-average fuel economy rating among first world nations, e.g. 25 mpg in the U.S. versus 45 mpg in the European Union and higher in Japan (2008)"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_Average_Fuel_Economy

Who can learn from who?

I don't think there's anything to learn. They are driving a lot more smaller cars with smaller engines, turbos and manual transmissions. No big secret that will cause higher gas mileage.

They also have perhaps different fuel and emissions regulations. For instance, they use diesel more, maybe don't formulate gasoline for emissions as much, might have different guidlelines for fuel trim tuning. For instance cars in the US run richer at stoichiometric than best lean economy mixture due to emissions, catylist and the EPA and whoever else's setting the regulations.

what? nothing to learn? now i know why we are in so much trouble.

In addition, they can drive smaller vehicles due to less stringent crash requirements than cars here have to meet -- why do people think we can't get those microcars here?

And let's not forget their mass-transit systems help to minimize their need for personal vehicles. I take the train to work, but still have to drive to the station. There is a bus service available from the regional authority, but I have to drive 3 miles to get to the stop. That's halfway to the station for me. In addition, the authority runs the bus only 3-4 times morning and evening, and if you miss the bus, you're SOL. So what's my incentive to use the service?

But I'm getting off-topic here. As to the original post, I find it ironic that anyone is even considering this....think about it; more frequent oil changes = more oil use. And why are we doing this? To help us conserve fuel, which is made from.....oil.

A prime example of why one should feel chills down their back whenever they hear "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you....".

I think any minor fuel efficiency gain is partially offset by fuel used to drive the car to get the oil or the oil changed, dispose of the used oil and have it recycled. Shortening the OCI by 1000 miles to improve MPG 1% saves 0.4 gallons if you get 25 mpg. If you drive the equivalent of 10 miles to get the oil changed, you use up the benefit of the savings.

Exactly. Lengthening of North American Oil Change intervals is thretening the old business model.

"But I'm getting off-topic here. As to the original post, I find it ironic that anyone is even considering this....think about it; more frequent oil changes = more oil use. And why are we doing this? To help us conserve fuel, which is made from.....oil."

BUT, if the oil is re-cycled properly, that loss is minimized.

nO TRANSPORT COST EAT US ALIVE.