Christina - I get oil changes done at the dealership. This is what my ex husband used to do and he swore by it. He also swore by:

- using Chevron and the highest grade for gas
- using techron for Chevron (I asked the guy at the gas station and the guy told me to use Techron every quarter)

The car is a 1996 infiniti G20 (the compact, low end Infiniti). Ex had a 1993 infiniti G20 himself until it was totaled in 2010. It did last that long. Way over 200K!!! So I do not know whether his rules (oil change at dealership + the priciest gas) really helped him to drive his car for so long. It sure is pricey so I do not know whether that's right...

...but do not want to take risks either - I drove my car from 2008 to 2009 using his rules, and then he drove this car from 2010 through 2012 using his standards as well, and - knock on wood - it is working fine.

So I do not know.

Sorry for being tangential - I wanted to ask whether using a synthetic oil is something I ask of the dealership, or...?

Thanks. Let me get to the other tips tomorrow, they sure sound great, since I know that you are the queen of having the house in order!!