Hours v mileage

[bfleeman]

If a car does nothing but short trips and idling, would it be a better idea to change the oil according to hours v mileage?

 

[FT92]

I've always thought there should be an hour meter on cars/trucks instead of an odometer. lots of hours over the life span that a car just sits ideling

 

[blufeb95]

If a car does nothing but short trips and idling, would it be a better idea to change the oil according to hours v mileage?

Generally yes, some OLMs take operating hours into account, ,most manufacturers consider using a car for only short trips to be severe service and recommend shorter oil change intervals.

 

[ka9mnx]

Yes

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Yes. That's one of the reasons why they say "or every year" (or other time interval)besides just the mileage itself.

 

[kschachn]

I've always thought there should be an hour meter on cars/trucks instead of an odometer. lots of hours over the life span that a car just sits ideling

Or even more useful is an oil life monitor.

 

[4WD]

Or even more useful is an oil life monitor.

I see lots of OLM bashing here … but as an owner of the 3 “domestic“ brands … never had any of them lead me in the wrong direction on OCI …

 

[Silver]

I wouldn't know if an OLM was doing its job unless I performed UOA's at different OCI's and compared them to what the OLM was saying.

Hey, anybody remember that scene from Good Morning Vietnam where Robin Williams goes off on that abbreviation skit?

 

[mahanddeem]

I'd say time in months is more practical in such cases; idling and short trips (less than 5 miles a trip).