Originally Posted by Thooks
The engine in basically any automobile built today will last virtually forever if:
1. Change the oil and filter regularly (3-4,000 miles.)
2. Change it atleast every 4 months.
3. Do not "race" the motor. Do not abuse it. Despite the claims that many of the manufacturers post 4500+ rpm HP figures, keep it under 4,000 rpms also.
4. Crank the engine and let it run atleast 60 seconds before touching the throttle. This will allow the oil to be pumped into all the ports and crevices. Just keep off the throttle immediately after cranking and it will be fine.
All of those tips are overkill and pointless. Changing your oil every 3k miles would make any oil company shareholder giggle. If you keep your car under 4k RPMs its entire life, not only are you wasting your car's potential but the rings and seals are designed for use well beyond the redline. They don't just build these things and throw them into production...they're tested exhaustively.
I read your post and I said to myself 'that's basically like saying any motor will last forever, if you never drive your car and leave it in the shed for 50 years.'