Current wisdom, older car driven little

[Rick505]

I currently have a 2005 Saturn Ion with about 68000 miles. Driven very little as my vehicle of choice is a motorcycle unless I need the car to haul something or weather is just too bad to take two wheels. I just checked and I changed the oil on 1/19/2015 at 67,068 miles and today it has 68052 miles. The owners manual was still recommending the 3mo/3000 mile intervals. What would be the conventional wisdom for my situation?? Super premium oil (however defined) and once a year. What's on sale twice a year? Leave it in until certain mileage hit regardless of time? I plan on keeping the car and have no intentions on replacing it since it have given me no issues.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

 

[Smokescreen]

Unless these 1000 miles are extreme duty punishing short trips without getting up to operating temperature...I vote once a year at the current yearly mileage with a decent name brand oil..need not even be synthetic.

 

[SilverC6]

Every other year.

Synthetic would be a plus especially since you can buy synthetic oil as cheaply as conventional oil these days.

 

[Tdbo]

I'd split the middle and say yearly.
That's what I do with both my secondary vehicles.
Works well.

 

[Branson304]

Change yearly, any decent oil will do. I would use Pennzoil or Valvoline conventional.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: SilverC6
Every other year.

Synthetic would be a plus especially since you can buy synthetic oil as cheaply as conventional oil these days.

Agreed...

At approx 1K per year, unless the majority of trips are so short the oil isn't getting to operating temp, I'd never change more often than 24 months...

 

[bigt61]

3000 miles on cheap dino (SuperTech is fine) even if it takes you 3 years. 5000 miles on synthetic even if it takes you 5 years. Just keep it topped off, it will be fine. If you start driving it more you can lengthen the miles.

 

[The_Jeff]

It doesn't have Oil Life Monitor? Wierd.

I'd change it every 2 years/ 3000 miles.

 

[Doog]

I have the same issue with my motorcycle. I went to synthetic and change it every 18 months. That said I have a friend who puts about 500-600 miles a year on his Harley and changes it every 5 years.

 

[Oregoonian]

I would do an OCI every two years or 3000 miles....which ever comes first. Be sure to do a 40 to 60 mile R/T at highway speeds....at least two or three times a year.

I would use either Pennzoil conventional,Mobil Super Conventional....OR Quaker State Green Bottle....in 5w30.

 

[gathermewool]

Depends on the type of miles. I wouldn't heed any advice given without this information.

 

[gallydif]

I am in the same situation as you. Have an older car that doesn't see more than 3k a year. I like to change my oil once a year. Reason is, once a year and not less often is that oil additives start to break down. It is different than keeping the oil in the jugs- there it can stay for years. But in the engine, the oil mixes with metals etc which tend to wear it down (chemistry). Once a year is not a perfect science, but it is what I go by.
Now whether to use conventional or synthetic: In your case either or is fine. Dino might even be better actually- but depends on the engine. A forum member was recently explaining to me that on some engines ran on synthetic but sit for extended periods of time between uses: when you crank up the engine there may be a clatter sound. If there is a clatter sound switch back to dino. I saw one previous post saying going with even the cheaper brands like Supertech. That works. Right now at AAP, they have a special this month for 5qt jug of Quaker State Ultimate Durability (synthetic) and oil filter for $19.99 which is an excellent price.

 

[raytseng]

Once a year, because you can schedule it around a particular holiday. You can also take the opportunity to check out everything else about the car, like putting air in the tires getting it washed and so on. For my tertiary vehicle that also gets less than 2k/year i *gasp* take it to a Reliable quick change oil place near me that also does a car wash and get the whole thing done within an hour.


At this point the oil change is the least of your costs. You need to remember that registration insurance and all that is eating up your $ to just keep the car operational.

You'll also find yourself starting to change things due to time rather than getting good mileage out of it, such as tires/brakefluid/batteries.

 

[Rick505]

Thanks all. When I do drive it I try to at least get it up to temp but that just means I'm getting cabin temp from the heater. I do try a couple Interstate trips (50-60 miles) at least quarterly.

I think I'll try the annual oil change but may extend it this time so they fall outside January for comfort purposes. Hey the garage floor gets cold.

Thanks again.

Rick