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Here’s a secret that mechanics don’t want you to know: You really don’t need to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles. It’s a waste of a precious resource — not to mention money — to take your car in every 3,000 miles or three months, experts say. On average, most cars don’t need an oil change for 7,500 miles.
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“Most repair shops will lose money or at best break even on a $25 to $28 oil change,” he said. “The whole idea is to get you to also buy an air filter, rotate your tires or buy something else while you’re there.”
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Because car manufacturing has become so sophisticated and less reliant on human intervention — more computers and technology are producing and installing parts, for example — the car-repair business isn’t as robust as it was 10 and even five years ago.

“The easiest way to make up for money that you’re losing or to increase profits is to turn up the up-sell button on all your services,” said Philip Reed, senior consumer-advice editor for Edmunds.com. “Mechanics want you to get brake jobs earlier than you need them or change oil filters more frequently.”

Sometimes, however, we are our worst enemies when it comes to explaining what is wrong with the car and giving away too much information. “Never reveal your budget,” said Mr. Davis. “If there’s steam pouring out of the hood of your Mercedes, don’t tell the guy ‘I hope this isn’t going to cost me $2,000.’

“He’ll be thinking, ‘How about $1,995,’” he said.
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