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- Aug 15, 2024
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- 374
personally, I think it’s a waste of time and resources. Like a previous poster mentioned, getting to 500k miles is more dependant on the vehicle itself once you’ve got the basic maintenance covered.
I want to know what your owners manual says for oil change interval. My work goes 7,500 OCI.Guys, I love my Jeep and oil change takes 20 minutes and $35. So I have decided to change the oil every 2500 miles. Oil goes in nice and clean and comes out nice and clean. Am I stupid?
I think 2342 is the sweet spot here. 2343 is pushing it. 2341 is too soon.Why not every 2k ? Even more fun .
No , not stupid . I don't like name calling .
Here are a few previous threads that may help answer this common question:So what happens if you drive only 500 miles in 6 months, you have to still change that oil after 6 months?
Depends.So what happens if you drive only 500 miles in 6 months, you have to still change that oil after 6 months?
Oh... and this one:Here are a few previous threads that may help answer this common question:
I'm doing 6 month 5,000 mile oil changes on two vehicles (2016 fusion 2.0 ecoboost and 2011 Silverado 4.3 V6). Most of the time it takes longer to reach 5,000 miles especially when I change them in the fall. My question is a 7 month or longer 5,000 mile change fine? This will be QSUD 5w30 on both vehicles. The Fusion turbo has me more concerned than the old school chevy 4.3 v6. Lot of short trips.
- Corollaman
- Replies: 21
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
I never understood the time duration in the XXXX miles or 3 months whatever comes first oil change requirement.
In a vehicle that is run regularly, but does not meet the mileage number why would you want to dump out the oil at 3 months or whatever time duration is given as it varies by vehicles these days...I just gave the classic three months as an example.
I never understood this, nor have I ever followed it.
- Scum_Frog
- Replies: 14
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
I realize this site has largely debunked the notion of using a definitive mileage indicator for oil change intervals. The type of driving certainly matters.
But what about "time"? The oft-stated standards of mileage often comes with a time interval listed as well - i.e. "5000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first".
I'm primarily asking this question from the perspective of a limited use vehicle - in this case, I'm about to put mine away for the winter after only putting maybe 500 miles on it this year. I've typically done an oil change before putting it away, but I'm thinking...
- DPDISXR4Ti
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
I last changed the oil in my mom's car in August with Motorcraft 5W30. I just changed it again today with Havoline 5W30. In that time span (a little under 5 months) the car was driven about 1800 miles. Most trips are under 10 miles.
In this situation, which is more important--time or mileage? Going by the manual, I should change it every 3 months. Going by mileage with a 3000 mile OCI, I'd be changing it every 8 months or so.
I'd like to keep this car in good condition--it's not a lease and so the long-term effects of whatever I do are important. Given that, what should I do?
It's a...
- brianl703
- Replies: 16
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
I have what is possibly an odd question pertaining to oil.
Our climate controlled garage contains a 2008, 4.6L Mustang and a 2008, 5.4L F150 (crew cab). I use Motorcraft 5w-20 synthetic blend and the corresponding Motorcraft filter at 5,000 mile oil change intervals. I presume this oil change interval is acceptable as it is the interval for special operating conditions. We drive short trips of 16 to 45 miles one way and occasionally the truck pulls a light trailer, but not often. Currently these vehicles are not driven daily and have accumulated only 3,000 miles each in the last 14...
- pburchett
- Replies: 12
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
So I bring forth this question to you guys because my truck sees a lot of short trips and stop and go driving. I'm talking at least two daily trips of two miles and sometimes even more. Other driving is mostly backroads with minimal highway driving. I waited until 3,200 miles with my last OCI on VWB with a Valvoline filter but the more I read, the more I wonder if I waited too long. Why? Because with my short trips it took me 10 months to get there.
I didn't get a UOA or cut open the filter, but I'm wondering how low my TBN could have been. Could acid have built up at an above average...
- cheesepuffs
- Replies: 17
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
This one might get me in trouble at BITOG. We have a Gmc truck with a 4.3 engine and the oil has not been changed in 2.5 years. Its only been driven a little over 1K miles. I am going to get the exact numbers Monday. Its only used on short trips to Home Depot ect...... It was last filled with mobile one 5 w 30 synthetic with a AC delco filter.
Im afraid we have gone too long. I cant seem to get a grip on time intervals when low mileage is involved. What do you experts think?
- nomochevys
- Replies: 15
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
I can't imagine this hasn't been discussed before - but I couldn't find anything using the search function. If anyone could direct me to some good threads, I would appreciate it.
I know the old rule of thumb is 3 months between oil changes, but with today's advanced oil chemistry - what is a realistic time period between oil changes?
The reason I ask, is that my car has become sort of a garage queen. I put maybe 3K per year on it. Last year was less than 2K. So how long can I leave oil in it without it breaking down? I'm using M1 0W-30 with an M1 filter, and traditionally change the oil...
- Q451990
- Replies: 29
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
At the moment I have 500mi left before my goal of a 7.5k OCI on a good fill of 5w20 Pennzoil Ultra 5w20 in my del sol. This oil I know can go past an easy 7.5k. That oil in my car has seen ONLY and I mean ONLY highway miles and it has been exactly a year and a half since I did the change. Im thinking of stretching it out farther since I know Id be dumping good oil (I hope its good). The next change will be the same PU 5w20 for probably another 7.5k unless someone can change my mind here. No leaks, no burns, no top off what so ever.
- yaris0128
- Replies: 17
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
Assuming I am using high quality oils (Castrol Edge EP, PPHM, or full syn MaxLife for the Caddy DTS / Castrol Magnatec Syn, PP, or PUP for the Mazda) and filters (Napa Gold, Platinum, or Fram Ultra), is there any real danger of exceeding a 1 year OCI (max would be 18 months) if I am under 10K miles between changes? Neither cars are under warranty, and I have been changing the Mazda at 7K miles and the Cadillac once per year (which equaled about 8K miles and still about 25% on the OLM). I'm thinking I could stretch the Mazda out to 1 year or 8K miles (whichever comes first) and the DTS to...
- Ddubya
- Replies: 20
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
Hello!
My wife and I have a handful of cars that are just driven in the summer once the roadstalt (look it up) has all melted away and before its used again, so in LOVELY Rochester, thats from mid April til mid October MAYBE. The rest of the time they are stored in garages with Mobil 1 and Wix filters.
We care about these cars very much even though they arent expensive, so I dont MIND changing the oil regardless of miles, but it just seems like a waste. They are parked inside in October and not started until mid April.
DOES oil really need to be changed just from time? and if so, whats...
- Drew1987
- Replies: 36
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
The service schedule for my Toyota calls for an oil change every 8000km/5000miles... or every 6 months.... why does time play a roll here? is it the $$$ the dealer is trying to make?....because I will probably only drive 4000km/2500miles in 6 months. So what gives? Can't I just change the oil based on mileage and forget time?
Thanks!
- BHop
- Replies: 2
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
Quote:
The conventional wisdom is to change the oil every six months normally, and up to a year on a high quality synthetic.
I'm curious: why the change interval at six months?
The reason I ask is that my elderly mother only drives her 1999 Olds Cutlass, (with 52K on it), less than 100 miles a week, the past few years.
The dealership had her convinced to change the oil every 3 months, so she was changing the oil with less than 1200 miles on it.
I told her to change it at 3000 miles. Depending on how much she drives, she could easily exceed 6 months.
I figured that while her car is...
- Lightsilver
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
Everyone-
Just a simple question-my truck's got an engine-hour meter on it to measure running time, and I figure that changing the oil based on hours of use might be better than mileage since it takes into account idle time.
Any idea how long the "average" OCI is in terms of engine running hours? My owners' manual doesn't specify-
thanks-
Fitz
- Fitz
- Replies: 29
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
I drove my truck mostly on the weekends. I will do about 7K in a year and a half. Does the time between oil changes matter as much as milage? If it is not it seems as though it was a good way for the auto service industry to keep cars coming in. Thoughts.
- Jocko
- Replies: 15
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
Vehicle is a 97 S10 2.2L 4 cyclinder with 40000 miles on it. My wife inherited it when her dad died 2 years ago. It sits at my mother in laws and I pick it up about once a month and drive it.I changed the oil last August and now it only has 900 miles on the oil and it is still really clean.I would think that by the oil still looking clean that there is still life left in it, so does time matter in this scenario?
- SigShooter
- Replies: 25
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
Hi all,
I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm on my mobile and the search didn't find any relevant results.
I have two cars that are weekend cruise / occasional autocross or drag race use and I use full synthetic in both. I put maybe 3,000 miles on the cars each year.
Would the additives break down after a year requiring that I change the oil? I normally do 5,000-8,000 mile intervals on my daily drivers.
I keep seeing Amsoil and others advertise oils as good for a gazillion miles or one year, whichever comes first.
- kosoku
- Replies: 35
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
You guys are telling me what I kind of suspected, but wasn't really sure. Thanks!I have a 99 Jeep Cherokee XJ about 81,000 miles on it.
I live in the Northeast (NY) region. I hardly move my Jeep, maybe once or twice a month and only for 4-5 miles tops each time. Last time I chages the oil was over a year ago and put about 250 miles the whole year.
How often would you change the oil? I am running conventional 10w30.
I know the proper thing is to run an oil report but I'm too cheap, lol
Best regards
- zvm77us
- Replies: 35
- Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles
So what happens if you drive only 500 miles in 6 months, you have to still change that oil after 6 months?
91 gas you mean?There are several things other than oil on the Jeep 3.6. I own Caravan with same engine and did lots of study as I want mine to last. I idle it alot and when I get on interstate I run it hard. My suggestion is questioned alot but after running for 36k in 6 years I noticed idle changed so I started running midgrade to get extra additives. There are reports of failure of valve guides and rockers. I can't find the article where Dodge stated were from to soft valve guides. According to this the use of 87 octane at idle was causing slapping of valve from ping so they hardened valve seat. (Problem still occurs) Whether or not I run midgrade and change oil yearly, I believe that running regular is a overall cost that consumers wanted not what is best. If you stop the inefficient explosion then you stop misfires from valve guides which also causes valve to hit rockers violently. There was a guy on here a couple of years ago that ran super and Amsoil that got over 200k without rocker failure.
That’s when I’d use common sense and sample and do a UOA. Then I’d decideSo what happens if you drive only 500 miles in 6 months, you have to still change that oil after 6 months?
You know it's cheaper to change the oil than to do an analysisThat’s when I’d use common sense and sample and do a UOA. Then I’d decide
And it’s EVEN MORE cheaper to change it following owners manual. OOPS, I just said thisYou know it's cheaper to change the oil than to do an analysis
Out of the thousands of UOA's I have seen here. I( have not seen one low on TBN...10K, 15K 20K miles never a problem.Is there a particular oil that has TBN of like 15? I could run that oil and then change it every 7500 miles?
All motors seem to perk up and feel smoother after an oil changeYes I completely concur with your decision. I run in a severe condition of a lot of idling on the freeways and that contributes to a lot of fuel dilution in my oil. I don't need an oil analyzer company to tell me that my oil smells like fuel. So I do my oil changes frequently and never go over 3K. I did go the route of using the high cost boutique oils that emptied my wallet rapidly. And realized that I did not feel a running difference on the engine, and also realized I could do three oil changes for the price of one 5-quart Boutique oil. So my decision was simple. But that is just me in my particular driving conditions. Good job! Changing your oil is cathartic experience and your engine loves it! My old 4Runner when doing a 4K oci, it always perked up afterwards.
But if after that one analysis it gives you the confidence to do 5k oil changes instead of 2.5, you will more than make up that amount over the life of the vehicle. It’s not like you need to do a UOA each time.You know it's cheaper to change the oil than to do an analysis