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HOUGHTON -- Three thousand miles used to be the standard drivers used to determine when to change their oil.

Now, newer cars with built-in monitors and the popularity of synthetic oils have added to the mix of methods leading, and some might say misleading, car owners to wait a bit longer.

"Why take a shortcut on one of the least expensive things you can do for your car?" says Dan Sayen, manager of Sayen’s Auto.  "Oil can break down differently with town driving or highway driving.  Those are things that can't be monitored by your engine."

Dozens of oil changes are done through Sayen’s Quick Lube service every day, and the most popular motor oil among customers is the partially synthetic Mobile 1.

Synthetic oils cost more--you'll pay about $25 for regular oil versus $45 for fully synthetic--but mechanics say it allows drivers to wait at least 5000 miles between changes.

"I’d say about half of our customers still do it every 3000 miles, but a lot of our newer customers, especially the younger generation, just go by what they're vehicle says," says Sayen’s Quick Lube Manager, Shandon Reed.

So why don't younger drivers follow the 3000-mile rule?

"I don't know when to change my oil.  I have a lot of friends that do, but I really don't know," said one young driver.

"My car manual says to change it every 7500 miles," said another young driver.

Of course the cheapest and easiest way to prevent any problems is to see for yourself.  If your oil is gold, it's still good, but if it's starting to look dirty, it might be time for a change.