OIL CHANGE: 1 summarized thread for newbies

[dudafunk]

I've searched a bunch of times trying to find out when to get oil changes and what oils to use. There are varying opinions about the miles and types of oils, and additional components (magnets for example?) that some people have been using. This has left a newbie like me confused, and I would keep pushing my research to a later date each time just because of so much information available - but most of it looks like intended for more technical/track driver usage.

I want to know, for very basic non-track daily driver usage, what are the intervals? When should be the first change? I have put in 3000 miles so far. When should subsequent changes be done at? (It used to be 3 months / 3000 miles on my older Buick).

Also, I am not too keen on taking it to the dealership because I have a guy right across my office where I can leave it off and probably watch him work on it too. I want to supply him with the components needed.

SO.... after going through all those threads, is there a general summarized list of things needed for a generic oil change? Just the basics - I know there's no end to the extras, quality etc.. I don't track the car etc... just a normal average driver looking to do whatever it takes to keep things normal, you know?...