Mileage vs 6 months advice

[Jake777]

I want to run 6 months on all my vehicles and would like to use Maxlife. What do you think? Some people say time means nothing and to only change by mileage but if that's the case why do owners manual shorten both mileage and time based on driving conditions.

Avalon 98 with 125,000 miles ran 4,000 miles in 6 months mostly shorter 3 to 8 mile trips in FL
Nissan Altima 2008 120,000 miles 2.5 4cyl. 5,500 miles in 6 months mostly 13 mile highway trips in FL
2005 Honda Odyssey 118,000 miles 4,500 miles 6 months mostly short trips 3-8 miles all around town in FL (VCM disabled)

 

[69GTX]

That seems quite reasonable to me. 2 of the cars are short trippers and probably should be changed 2X per year on blend or conventional oil. You have the same 4K/6 months interval that I have. And I change every 5-7 months regardless of what oil I'm using, even if its synthetic. I don't have oil change "computers" on my cars so I do the best I can.

Stock up on the Max Life while Walmart has it on roll back ($15.88) and offering $5 instant coupons (net $10.88).

 

[NightRiderQ45]

I don't subscribe to the 6 months process at all. I have 7 months on my Val ML blend plus 1 qt of AZ syn make-up oil. I have 3800 miles and most of it is stop/go traffic with occasional highway miles every two weeks. I'm going to change it soon only because I need to eat away at my stash.

 

[Jake777]

I'm just a bit gun shy after what happened with my Odyssey. Basically the maintenance minder had me going 10 mints at 7,000 miles and after years I had major deposit build up and fals seals so I'm just a bit scared to push it.

 

[MRtv]

Originally Posted By: Jake777
I'm just a bit gun shy after what happened with my Odyssey. Basically the maintenance minder had me going 10 mints at 7,000 miles and after years I had major deposit build up and fals seals so I'm just a bit scared to push it.


Yeah, all that junk that builds up in engines and the oil picks up. The oil sits to long and the junk gets deposited. So for this reason I will be changing my oil at the time mark that the manufacturers suggest. This will be 3 months for them. I know, I could be considered being wasteful. For this reason I have chosen oils that are highly regarded, don't break the bank and buy them at Wally World.

 

[69GTX]

Originally Posted By: Jake777
I'm just a bit gun shy after what happened with my Odyssey. Basically the maintenance minder had me going 10 mints at 7,000 miles and after years I had major deposit build up and fals seals so I'm just a bit scared to push it.


I figure that those oil minders are programmed fairly simply with the average consumer in mind. There's always going to be someone that can push their car beyond the limits and not have it identified via the oil minder. The OMS can't factor in contaminants like coolant getting into your engine oil.

 

[Jake777]

Ya my OLM screwed me in my Honda but it was the first year they incorporated it and the first year they launched the VCM cylinder shut down "feature". Held up long enough to get Honda out of warranty range and leave me with the problems. I will never buy a vehicle that shuts down cylinders again.

 

[CT8]

Oil changes can be a good thing.

 

[KD0AXS]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Since they see mostly short trips, it certainly isn't going to hurt anything to cut the OCIs a little short. Might be a little more convenient that way as well since you cam just do all 3 at the same time.

 

[tig1]

I change every 10K regardless on time.

 

[TFB1]

I'll go 12-15 months, somewhere between 8K and as much as 11K mi... M1, M1 EP or M1 HM...

Just bought a load of PZ UD, probably hold that to no more than one year...

 

[SlipperyPete]

Not to be overlooked is the benefit of never coming due for an OC in the dead of winter.

 

[Branson304]

MaxLife is capable of that mileage & month interval.

Change them all every 6 months & don't worry. MaxLife is an awesome oil!

 

[dlundblad]

The only reason I'd use the 6 month OCI is if I had to change the oil outside.

Spring and fall for example with no winter oil changes.

 

[Panzerman]

I put even less miles on my vehicles and went to six months. Sometimes, not even 2000 miles, but I feel good and oil is cheap. Great Idea.

 

[BrocLuno]

Well it depends ... I think your plan is a very good one because even if the oil could go longer, it's always great to get a look under the vehicle at least twice a year for safety reasons if nothing else.

Use a blend like Maxlife (red bottle) and it'll be fine. All the vehicles are over 100K, so they are due for that type of oil. You don't have northern cold start issues, so you can stay with one viscosity range

Look for it on sale or rebate and stock up. Use good filters like Wix or Baldwin and you'll drive on for many, many more miles

 

[bbhero]

^^^^^ This.. Very well stated and spot on analysis. Which is not surprising.