Barely 3800miles in 9 months

[abimanyu]

I use IGOL 5w30 Symbol Ceramic full synthetic in my 1998 Volvo T5, it has only 29,000 km in it, but it sees barely 3800 miles in 9 months, but I do use it everyday. Averaging about 32km per day.

How often should I change the oil? Every six month or just wait a year? The oil hasn't been change since January, so it's been 10 months, with about 4200miles.

My question is, which one is first?

 

[Patman]

I would think that you could go one year and be safe. Is there anywhere near you which does oil analysis so you could send off a sample of your used oil?

My mom only drives about 100km per week and I'm going to probably go with 18 month oil changes for her car. It's already been over a year now since I changed her oil (I put in GC 0w30 in her car when she got it in July 2004)

 

[texasproud]

quote:

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Originally posted by Patman:
I would think that you could go one year and be safe. Is there anywhere near you which does oil analysis so you could send off a sample of your used oil?

My mom only drives about 100km per week and I'm going to probably go with 18 month oil changes for her car. It's already been over a year now since I changed her oil (I put in GC 0w30 in her car when she got it in July 2004)

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I agree. Never heard of IGOL oil but unless it is a poor quality sythetic, I would think an annual change would be fine at his current rate of driving. I suspect he sees a lot of stop & go in high heat/humidity so I would not let it go much further than that.

 

[Pablo]

I know nothing of that oil. I agree with the used oil analysis recommendation. I mean annual should be OK if it includes some highway driving, but if you are worried enough to ask - then the small amount of money for a used oil analysis is well worth it. Also you have some high humidity...which would make me lean towards 6 months. Besides you can get many oils, cheap.

32 KM ave per day is over 5000 miles in 9 months. So is your rate increasing?

 

[abimanyu]

You can check out IGOL, I don't think you can get it in the U.S

http://www.igol-fr.com/motor-oil-lubricant/group.htm

I have no idea where to get an oil analysis. I think the only place that I could get one is with the Indonesia Department of Energy and Natural Resources, which does oil analysis for imported oil brands.

It's high humidity, dirty, very tropical(rain),and the gas quality ain't that great. The diesel doesn't even meet Euro 1 spec.

I usually don't drive the volvo on weekends(sats and suns)

Can I send used oil through airmail?

 

[Ray H]

Used motor oil is a carcinogen and is thus considered hazardous waste.

 

[brianl703]

Effective March 1993, EPA promulgated a final listing decision for recycling used oils under RCRA section 3014. EPA determined that recycled used oil does not have to be listed as a hazardous waste since the used oil management standards issued in its rulemaking adequately protect human health and the environment. These standards cover used oil generators, transporters, processors and re-refiners, burners, and marketers.

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/oil.htm