15 months without an oil change

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dporter177

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I own a 2010 Highlander, 4WD with a V6 engine. I was going back through paper work on my oil changes and it appears I missed an oil change between 44k miles and 51k miles. That time span was 15 months (I don't drive my car much and when I do it's mostly highway). I've never missed any other oil changes. Highlander currently has 57k miles.

To summarize, a couple years ago I went 15 months and 7k miles without an oil change. This was using a synthetic blend oil (Pennzoil Gold I believe). At least the shop (Tires Plus) listed a syn blend, let's hope they are being honest and it wasn't straight conventional. Do I need to worry about any long term damage to the engine? The car sounds great and runs great. I want to keep this one as long as possible. All thoughts welcome.
 
Damage doubtful. I have gone longer on older little used trucks with no issues. My limited experience is that Tires Plus actually put in the oil you pay for. Get it changed and move on.
 
17 months and only 3k miles in my car here. It's a weekend ride that sits, but luckily when it gets driven the car is on the freeway at speed for at least 1 hour each way so the oil gets a chance to get to working temperature. Like the OP I missed my 1 year mark and do not plan on doing that again.

I do plan on changing the oil this month and having the oil tested. Will post the results I'll post again here pointing to the results thread when I get it.
 
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You damaged your favourite oil company's margin by a few dollars, but otherwise, 7000 miles is nothing.
Sleep well
smile.gif
 
All good points. Unfortunately I have already changed the oil since this happened so I can't do a UOA. Guess I was just worried about issues down the road with the engine. I know TiresPlus said they used synthetic blend, but this was their "standard oil change" for awhile, so I'm guessing it's not that far off from conventional.

Thanks for all your comments.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Why would there be damage?


User manual says 5k miles or 6 months for the OCI. Was worried since I waited 15 months and 7k miles while NOT using synthetic oil.
 
I just changed oil on my friends explorer. It had been over a year and probably close to a year and a half and that truck did not sit. The oil and filter was filthy but was fine. No sludge or anything. I just made him buy a fram ultra filter to put on there and I will help him remember to change it early this time.
 
Damage highly unlikely. The oil I drained out of my '85 GMC in February had 6,400 mi./14 months on it and I never worried a bit. If your driving habits to accumulate that mileage in that time frame are less frequent, longer drives vs. just a few miles every day, I'd agree that making that the norm shouldn't hurt a thing.
 
I like the Fram Ultra recomendation, do that.

Its far more important to keep the oil level between add and full than what happened here (long OCI). Hope you checked it once a month or so.

Still, its a bit long, and your pistons got too black, but not irreversible with normal oil changes going forward.
I'd feel better about it if it was Mobil1 Extended Performance or Castrol Edge Ext Perf (gold jug). Certainly the expensive-as-gold new Mobil1 Annual Protection would be nice here.
 
Originally Posted By: E150GT
I just changed oil on my friends explorer. It had been over a year and probably close to a year and a half and that truck did not sit. The oil and filter was filthy but was fine. No sludge or anything. I just made him buy a fram ultra filter to put on there and I will help him remember to change it early this time.


Was it conventional oil he left in there for a year and a half?
 
Originally Posted By: dporter177
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Why would there be damage?


User manual says 5k miles or 6 months for the OCI. Was worried since I waited 15 months and 7k miles while NOT using synthetic oil.
You should have worried before the fact not after the fact . Change the oil and filter and let the waves of guilt keep you from not maintaining the vehicle. Do a trans oil change for penance! We are a tough crowd here.Your engine will be fine. Welcome by the way. The engine will be fine. Today's oils are very very good.
 
Originally Posted By: oil_film_movies
I like the Fram Ultra recomendation, do that.

Its far more important to keep the oil level between add and full than what happened here (long OCI). Hope you checked it once a month or so.

Still, its a bit long, and your pistons got too black, but not irreversible with normal oil changes going forward.
I'd feel better about it if it was Mobil1 Extended Performance or Castrol Edge Ext Perf (gold jug). Certainly the expensive-as-gold new Mobil1 Annual Protection would be nice here.


Thanks. I've since switched to synthetic oil. Unfortunately during the 15 month/7k situation I was using non synthetic oil. Oil level remained good though!
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
Originally Posted By: dporter177
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Why would there be damage?


User manual says 5k miles or 6 months for the OCI. Was worried since I waited 15 months and 7k miles while NOT using synthetic oil.
You should have worried before the fact not after the fact . Change the oil and filter and let guilt keep you from not maintaining the vehicle. Do a trans oil change for penance! We are a tough crowd here. Welcome by the way.


I agree! And thank you
 
Most people outside of BITOG would consider it normal. Pretty sure my co worker's mailbu sees an oil change a year, and I would guess at 12-15k at whoever has the cheapest oil change. Car still runs fine, still gets her around....

Now it might depend on the engine (wouldn't try it with a turbo'd/DI engine), but most will take what you throw at it...
 
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