Normal or severe OCI?

[fisher83]

2005 Caravan- Driven 5 miles each way to work 4 days a week in town about 45 mph. Also usually taken on further 20 min plus drives most of the rest of the week hitting the interstate once or twice. OM says 3000 miles severe, 6000 miles normal. I drive this about 10k miles a year.
2004 Elantra- Mostly 20-30 minute trips every day. Mixed Highway/city. Very few short trips. OM says 3000 miles severe, 7500 miles normal. Driven about 12k miles a year.
Oil/filter will be Quaker State Ultimate Durability with OEM filters on both.
What do you guys think? Should I follow normal, severe, or somewhere in between?

 

[Falken]

At that rate, I'd just change the oil and filter every 6 months and not worry about the mileage.

 

[jjcom]

I'd go with every 6 months or so too. That oil and filter should hold up well for that kind of service.

 

[fisher83]

Good to hear these recommendations. I should be able to just do a spring and a fall change then. Currently have Super Tech Synthetic in the van and Napa Syn in the car. Both have about 3k on the current oil and still look great. I'll prob keep it in until October or so.

 

[friendly_jacek]

calculate number of hours based on miles and average speed and go by hrs, ie oil change every 100 hrs or so. Or even better, use the formula for OCI based on gallons of fuel used.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Falken
At that rate, I'd just change the oil and filter every 6 months and not worry about the mileage.


Yep.

 

[Eddie]

I agree with the twice a year change which is ~ 5K.