Once again, our lawmakers fail us. Their intent is good, but their execution sucks.
If they REALLY wanted to help the environment and the consumer, then they should start an
oil analysis program.
The military uses an
oil analysis program where they test a sample of the
oil to determine if it needs to be changed or not. This can also be a preventative measure for diagnostics such as metal shavings in the oil, water in the oil or other items that indicate serious engine troubles.
The other point that I would make is that MANY times, you need not change the oil, just the filter. If you drive your car from LA to NYC, the oil is fairly clean and healthy, and even though you've put 3k+ miles on the oil and filter, it's highway mileage, rather than stop and go city mileage and so it's a perfect example of where a simple filter change is sufficient.
The most effective way to go about this would be to provide a state (or private) oil analysis center where you can get gravimetric analysis of your oil done. THEN you'd have to protect such an agency again lawsuits (lord knows how many bloodsucking kalifornia lawyers would be chomping at the bit to sue such a place because it caused them to run their car off a bridge or something).
And I'll close by saying that anyone who would listen to Jiffy Lube on when to change their oil oughta give me a call. I have tons of ocean front property in North Dakota to sell you, along with some great stock parts from a mustang GT.
