All too often we focus on miles driven as a indicator of when to change out oil - but what about max time you would allow an oil to stay in the usage IF miles driven were not yet met in an OCI ? Also would you allow a synthetic to stay in longer than a conventional ? Let's here your opinions for max time (in months) you would allow a conventional or a synthetic to stay in use before the next drain & fill .
Importance of Time in OCI ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
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I don't think it matters. I have seen cars and motorcycles that have sat for years with old oil in them, and nothing seems any different performance wise. Read all the used oil analysis you can find and there's never a mention about "old oil" failing to perform due to age.,,
Do you mean operational time in hours, such as extreme idle time and little driven mileage?
Or are you talking about driven normally, just very little?
I have used intervals of at least 3 years on a classic car I have which I put about 100 miles a year on. I dont see any issues.
Or are you talking about driven normally, just very little?
I have used intervals of at least 3 years on a classic car I have which I put about 100 miles a year on. I dont see any issues.
Originally Posted By: Jeff_in_VABch
Do you mean operational time in hours, such as extreme idle time and little driven mileage?
Or are you talking about driven normally, just very little?
I have used intervals of at least 3 years on a classic car I have which I put about 100 miles a year on. I dont see any issues.
What kind of classic car?
Do you mean operational time in hours, such as extreme idle time and little driven mileage?
Or are you talking about driven normally, just very little?
I have used intervals of at least 3 years on a classic car I have which I put about 100 miles a year on. I dont see any issues.
What kind of classic car?
The subject has been discussed on BITOG on numerous occasions. Search might reveal a lot of opinions on this.
I personally change my oil annually, regardless if mineral or synthetic because I don't drive much lately. But we've seen quite a few used oil analysis where the oil was in service for several years and still looked fine. As long as you get your engine up to temp for long enough periods to burn off moisture/fuel, then you should be fine, even if you don't change it for a few years.
I personally change my oil annually, regardless if mineral or synthetic because I don't drive much lately. But we've seen quite a few used oil analysis where the oil was in service for several years and still looked fine. As long as you get your engine up to temp for long enough periods to burn off moisture/fuel, then you should be fine, even if you don't change it for a few years.
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
All too often we focus on miles driven as a indicator of when to change out oil - but what about max time you would allow an oil to stay in the usage IF miles driven were not yet met in an OCI ? Also would you allow a synthetic to stay in longer than a conventional ? Let's here your opinions for max time (in months) you would allow a conventional or a synthetic to stay in use before the next drain & fill .
Once a Year for a Conventional or Synthetic Oil.
All too often we focus on miles driven as a indicator of when to change out oil - but what about max time you would allow an oil to stay in the usage IF miles driven were not yet met in an OCI ? Also would you allow a synthetic to stay in longer than a conventional ? Let's here your opinions for max time (in months) you would allow a conventional or a synthetic to stay in use before the next drain & fill .
Once a Year for a Conventional or Synthetic Oil.
I don't think you can isolate one variable and make a decision. I.E. only time, or only mileage, or only how the car is used.
For example, someone can drive less than 5K miles per year, but do they drive that in several hundred mile trips, or hundreds of several mile trips? The answer changes how you might look at the time vs mileage question on the OCI.
Someone might drive 15K miles every 6 months, but they are working their engine hard, towing, etc. If so, are you still going to go with a 15K OCI?
So if you are looking for simple rules. Rules that any owner can follow without much thought, then 3mo/3K miles or 6mo/5K miles, or 6mo/7500 miles are some simple rules that most can follow.
Will there be folks who could go 10K on the same oil? Sure. There will also be those who have used up their oil in 6 months because they've made 300 5 mile trips in that 180 days.
I say time is a critical factor. Oil that doesn't get up to operating temperature can degrade. Even if the oil itself doesn't break down, are you losing TBN since you leave more acids in the crankcase because you don't get up to temperature? What about other contaminates?
I've long advocated that folks who drive short trips need to be as concerned about the time the oil has been in your sump as they are how many miles on that oil.
If your car is in "granny service" taking that weekend trip to church and back and church is blocks, not miles away, then time is probably more important than mileage.
I'm sure those with a bit more knowledge of chemistry and the additives can fill us in on if my concerns are valid, or just being overly cautious.
For example, someone can drive less than 5K miles per year, but do they drive that in several hundred mile trips, or hundreds of several mile trips? The answer changes how you might look at the time vs mileage question on the OCI.
Someone might drive 15K miles every 6 months, but they are working their engine hard, towing, etc. If so, are you still going to go with a 15K OCI?
So if you are looking for simple rules. Rules that any owner can follow without much thought, then 3mo/3K miles or 6mo/5K miles, or 6mo/7500 miles are some simple rules that most can follow.
Will there be folks who could go 10K on the same oil? Sure. There will also be those who have used up their oil in 6 months because they've made 300 5 mile trips in that 180 days.
I say time is a critical factor. Oil that doesn't get up to operating temperature can degrade. Even if the oil itself doesn't break down, are you losing TBN since you leave more acids in the crankcase because you don't get up to temperature? What about other contaminates?
I've long advocated that folks who drive short trips need to be as concerned about the time the oil has been in your sump as they are how many miles on that oil.
If your car is in "granny service" taking that weekend trip to church and back and church is blocks, not miles away, then time is probably more important than mileage.
I'm sure those with a bit more knowledge of chemistry and the additives can fill us in on if my concerns are valid, or just being overly cautious.
To your point Javacontour : I am one of those that drives normal suburban miles (not much highway) but the time limit of 3 months / 3K miles would always come first for me before I would hit the 3K mile mark (with conventional). Now I extend OCI's out to 4K ~ 5K miles but now wonder what time limit combinations versus miles I should impose for conventional oil : 4 month / 4K miles or perhaps 5 months / 5K miles - which ever comes first ? Lastly , it seems those who use synthetic usually run a 6 month / 7500 miles - which ever comes first as a fairly standard OCI . Thoughts ?
I have gone 18 months several times with 3000-4000 miles in that interval. UOA were fine. So much depends on whether that engine is driven 10 miles or so each time it is cold started, short 3 mile trips and 18 months would not be my choice but I usually drive at least 10 miles when I fire it up so the 18 months was fine for me. used Amosil by the way. Have gone 12 months many many many times and that is current goal for most of my cars now.
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
Thoughts ?
If you're using mineral, then 5K miles or 1 year, whichever comes first and be done with it. Assuming your engine does get warmed up properly, as I mentioned earlier.
Thoughts ?
If you're using mineral, then 5K miles or 1 year, whichever comes first and be done with it. Assuming your engine does get warmed up properly, as I mentioned earlier.
I personally wouldn't keep using an oil past the 1 year mark. Its been long enough. 10 oil changes in 10 years ain't that expensive. Oil is relatively cheap.
I change the oil in my lawnmower annually to keep that puppy running good for years to come.
I change the oil in my lawnmower annually to keep that puppy running good for years to come.
Is the car short-tripped, or just not driven very often?
Makers vary on this.
Some say every six months or xxxx miles.
Some recommend up to a year.
I would think that an annual change for a car not driven much would be wise, but as others have pointed out, engines have kept the same oil for some multiple of a year and the oil was just fine.
Makers vary on this.
Some say every six months or xxxx miles.
Some recommend up to a year.
I would think that an annual change for a car not driven much would be wise, but as others have pointed out, engines have kept the same oil for some multiple of a year and the oil was just fine.
chris,
In my 08' Chevy Impala SS I use synthetic oil but to go just 6K miles I'm already into my 8th month and my OLM tells me I'm only at 31% so I'm trying to run the indicator down so I can get to my next OCI. The instruction booklets tells me to change the oil at the 12 month mark regardless of what the OLM says so I figure I'm good for another couple months left.
To go the distance like this I'll always use a good name brand synthetic hands down.
Durango
In my 08' Chevy Impala SS I use synthetic oil but to go just 6K miles I'm already into my 8th month and my OLM tells me I'm only at 31% so I'm trying to run the indicator down so I can get to my next OCI. The instruction booklets tells me to change the oil at the 12 month mark regardless of what the OLM says so I figure I'm good for another couple months left.
To go the distance like this I'll always use a good name brand synthetic hands down.
Durango
I've got about 7 1/2 months on the Quaker State Ultimate Durability on my Cavalier right now, and I'm not sweating a bit about it. Oil is still in good shape, as it was not used very much this winter. I'm actually more worried about the filter than I am the oil.
I agree with a few others with at least once a year. If I didn't already have a jug of FS and a delco filter waiting for it this weekend, it could even be in longer....
I agree with a few others with at least once a year. If I didn't already have a jug of FS and a delco filter waiting for it this weekend, it could even be in longer....
Nothing cheap about Chevron Supreme, it's a very good oil.
I change the oil in each car we own every 5000 miles. That usually happens within 3 - 5 months. I use any quality conventional or synthetic that I get on sale, and oem filters.
I change the oil in each car we own every 5000 miles. That usually happens within 3 - 5 months. I use any quality conventional or synthetic that I get on sale, and oem filters.
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