low mileage infrequent changing of oil

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if i drive 4000 mile a year on 1 car can i change 1x year? Any consequences?
 
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Most likely no problem...no ill effects...but to be sure...

What's the car?
What's the mileage?
What's the oil?
What's the type of driving?
What's the typical time length of a drive?

How long do you want to own the car...miles/years?
 
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If car is in storage 1 year, do i have to change fresh oil? some say increased sludge/corrosion but car isn't running.
 
Originally Posted By: cathy
stored garage 40-60f.


It's fine even if in those storage conditions for multiple years.
There isn't enough of a temp difference to cause condensation so your fine.
I will suggest when storing a vehicle to put stabilizer in the fuel,fog the intake with engine running. Put a plastic bag over the throttle body once engine has cooled and do not start it again until the engine is ready to run and be driven.
Contrary to popular belief starting a vehicle intermittently is bad for an engine. It's a dry start for one,which we know causes the most wear in an engine. Getting the engine hot causes condensation which doesn't get boiled off in an idle situation and last but not least you need to re-fog and do some of the storage steps again.
When putting a vehicle away for winter I always store it with brand new oil. It eliminates any possibility of corrosion. Then once spring arrives I don't have to do anything but drive.
 
Originally Posted By: cathy
If car is in storage 1 year, do i have to change fresh oil? some say increased sludge/corrosion but car isn't running.


Not if new oil is already in sump.
 
My last oil change was 7 months at 2,010 miles. I meant to change it at 6 months.

I really don't go by mileage though, time and oil color are my two main indicators.
 
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Most likely no problem...no ill effects...but to be sure...

What's the car?
What's the mileage?
What's the oil?
What's the type of driving?
What's the typical time length of a drive?

How long do you want to own the car...miles/years?


What's your formula for providing a cogent answer when all of the above nuances are provided ?
 
Originally Posted By: cathy
if i drive 4000 mile a year on 1 car can i change 1x year? Any consequences?


None whatsoever. After 1/4000, oil is perfectly fine. If you use synthetic, you could even go 2 years/8000 miles.
 
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Most likely no problem...no ill effects...but to be sure...

What's the car?
What's the mileage?
What's the oil?
What's the type of driving?
What's the typical time length of a drive?

How long do you want to own the car...miles/years?


What's your formula for providing a cogent answer when all of the above nuances are provided ?


???
 
cathy, what's up with the little drips of info? Why not just give all of the pertinant facts so that you can get the best answer for your question?
 
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: cathy
if i drive 4000 mile a year on 1 car can i change 1x year? Any consequences?


None whatsoever. After 1/4000, oil is perfectly fine. If you use synthetic, you could even go 2 years/8000 miles.


Agreed...

I change once a year with synthetic and average 5000-10,000 miles, cars are regular drivers and are rarely inside...

I use Motorcraft syn blend in my Mom's that sees maybe 1500mi a year and change at roughly 1.5 yr, she does garage her car...
 
Originally Posted By: Shannow
What's your formula for providing a cogent answer when all of the above nuances are provided ?


Lots of short trips are harder on the oil than a few longer highway/cruising trips.
A high mileage (more blow-by), turbo or otherwise high performance engine is harder on oil.

I drive ~4000 miles most years, but it's 2-3 moderate length trips per week.
So I change oil once a year.
If I were driving a very short commute to work every day I'd change every 6 months.
I'm going on a 5000 mile road trip this summer and I'll do an extra change after that.
 
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