OCI for Low Usage Vehicles

[edge10]

I have four cars that get low usage and like some input on the OCI. Right now the OCI is 6 months, but I like to extend this to once a year if possible. I contacted Blackstone Labs and they said it would be difficult to get a good analysis on the 200 mile OCI unless there is a major problem. Condensation and acids are a couple of concerns. Temp cycles are full four seasons ranging from 20 - 95 F, all engines in good condition, all use 10w30 conventional mineral oil , all stored outdoors except the Toyota.

1983 Pontiac 6000 STE 500 miles year, 30 minute trips
1987 Nissan Maxima 1000 miles year, 10 mins trips
1994 Dodge Stealth 100-200 miles year, 30 minute trips
1999 toyota, Avalon 1000 miles year, sludge prone eng, plan to keep 6 month/500 mile OCI. 10 minute trips, 2 hr trips 4 times year.

 

[JHZR2]

honestly, why pay insurance on all those cars? Put a bit more mileage on a few fewer cars.

30 Minute trips is good, things get hot. 10 minute trips are problems...

Id just try to get longer trips on the cars with the shortest use.

Otherwise, I think you will see issues with the oil just fine even with short trips/use. Youll see a change if there is something severe occuring, otherwise, youre changing the oil more than enough to cloak a problem, so why worry?

JMH

 

[Spector]

Easily go a year on every one of them. What do you use to get around, a scooter. Just going back and forth to work or supermarket puts on more mile then you indicate. At your rate they will last forever with 1 year, even 2 year OCI

 

[383LT1Vette]

I'd only be marginally concerned about the cars with the 10 mile trips. You can extend those to a year at least. The others will handle two years with no issues, probably more.

I change my wife's Vette every other year at 1500-1800 mi. She's been trained that whenever she starts the car she can't come home until the oil temp gauge hits the 215 degree mark. The oil barely gets discolored over this time.

 

[02zx9r]

why not sell a couple of cars and just keep a couple and drive them more?

I dont know the situation but it seems a little rediculous to me to have 4 vehicles and only drive one for a few hours a year

 

[Black_Thunder]

I'll take the Nissan off your hands