OCI on infrequently driven vehicles

[slayer_taunu]

I have a 2001 Trans Am that I drive less than 5k/yr on avg.

I use GC 0w30 an a longer K&N truck filter. As of now, i change the oil ever 5k or 12mo, whichever comes first.

is synthetic oil really only good for 12mo, or can i safely leave it in there till i hit my 5k mark? yes, i've read the used oil analysis on this oil, and people let it run a lot longer, but this car does see dragstrip time, so i dont want to push it.

i understand that the cost of an oil change is far less than the cost of a motor... but its really just the principle of not having to do more work to the car than is necessary. i've only driven like 2500mi on this oil change so far, so i feel like the oil is still brand new... but i'm at 14mo, so i'm trying to figure out if i can leave it in there or not.

how are other people with infrequently driven cars handling their OCI's?

 

[semaj281]

If you want to be precise about it you should do a used oil analysis.

IMO, that dragstrip time is probably helping to burn off the moisture and contamination built up from sitting around.
Edit: Care to share why you chose the 0w30 over the 5w30 when you're in Texas?

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: semaj281

Edit: Care to share why you chose the 0w30 over the 5w30 when you're in Texas?


Because GC is a much better oil than any of the 5-30 products Castrol puts out. It's a group IV oil that's a tad thicker than your typical 30 weight, which may explain why he uses it in his hot weather climate.

OP- In your case, I would change the oil at 3000 miles or one year, whichever comes AFTER the other one. At this point, change it at 3000 miles.

 

[slayer_taunu]

Originally Posted By: semaj281
Care to share why you chose the 0w30 over the 5w30 when you're in Texas?


just because the GC 0w30 was a very highly regarded motor oil, both on this site, and LS1Tech.com (site specific to the GM GENIII/IV engines found in camaro/firebird/corvette/etc)

from my reading's, its been said not to be concerned about the 0-weight and its actually thicker than some 40-weight oils out there.

 

[Cup of Joe]

I have 2 years on a Pennzoil conventional fill in my 67 VW. I will be changing it not because of mileage but because it has been seeing more cold starts and shut downs so it is building up moisture and acids. Synthetic or conventional is not as much the issue as the type of use.

I have 500 and 800 miles respectively on a F150 and Grand Caravan since I changed the oil some months ago. The F150 almost never reachs full operating temperature, it builds up moisture and fuel all winter since I drive it several times a week with short run times. If I am using a good sythetic in it I normally run 1 year which maybe 5k miles or only 3k with allot of cold starts and stops depending. With this kind of use I worry more about keeping the battery fully charged since I only use it sporadically for longer periods when the engine can get fully warmed up to burn off fuel and water as well as recharge the battery.

 

[gathermewool]

UOA now so you'll know for next time.

I disagree about it being more about type of use than the type of oil. You pay more money for an oil that can last longer for your specific type of service. Any other reason can arguably be seen as a waste of money, all else being equal.

 

[slayer_taunu]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
used oil analysis now so you'll know for next time.


ya know, i fully intended on doing a used oil analysis this year, but i completely forgot to log my makeup oil.

these LS1 engines notoriously consume oil via the poorly designed PCV system. I actually just upgraded my PCV to the LS6 style (C5 Z06)and added a catch can. so hopefully i wont burn any oil anymore.

 

[Cup of Joe]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
UOA now so you'll know for next time.

I disagree about it being more about type of use than the type of oil. You pay more money for an oil that can last longer for your specific type of service. Any other reason can arguably be seen as a waste of money, all else being equal.


I've done used oil analysis on some pieces of equipment and will do more in the future when it is justified not simply to do them. I also blotter test as needed. Some who vue used oil analysis over value a single result rather then looking at trends.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: TaterandNoodles
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
UOA now so you'll know for next time.

I disagree about it being more about type of use than the type of oil. You pay more money for an oil that can last longer for your specific type of service. Any other reason can arguably be seen as a waste of money, all else being equal.


I've done used oil analysis on some pieces of equipment and will do more in the future when it is justified not simply to do them. I also blotter test as needed. Some who vue used oil analysis over value a single result rather then looking at trends.





I agree. There's a lot of good information, but you've got to know how to use it.

 

[slayer_taunu]

hmm... i see no definitive answer here. i think until i can get a used oil analysis after a year, i'll just stick with my 12mo OCI's

 

[Jim Allen]

I'll give you definitive answers.

'00 Honda Accord V6- 19 months and 68K miles look here for the latest used oil analysis (there re older ones you can search for)-

'09 used oil analysis

Next time, I'm just running 8000 miles regardless of time

'05 F-150- 14 months and 7500 miles. Here is the virgin vs 7500 mile used oil analysis and I intend to run 10K and no time limit (will be close to two years)

Virgin/7500 mile OCI (Same batch)

'05 F-150HD, 5.4L V8, 18,966 miles
Lab: WearCheck
OCI- 7463 mi/14.5 months
Previous Oil & Filter MC 5W20/MC FL820S
Makeup Oil: 0
Oil Capacity 7 qts.
Oil Filter: MC FL820S

Silicon: 0/19
Potassium: 8.5/5/1
Sodium: 7.1/15
Fuel %: 0/ Glycol: 0/0
Water: Sulfation: 0/23% of max
Nitration: 0/16 % of max
Boron: 14/5.9
Barium: 1.3/0
Calcium: 2524/2280
Magnesium: 1252/1164
Moly: 170/118
Phosphorus: 872/825
Zinc: 862/908
Vis @ 40C: 50.83/--
Vis @ 100C: 9.31 cSt/8.9 cSt
VI: 168/--
Oxidation:0/27 % of max
TBN: 13.6/10.0
Iron: 3.7/28
Nickel: 0.5/0.5
Chromium: 0/1.7
Titanium: 0/0.2
Copper: 0.1/4.4
Aluminum: 1.3/5.3
Lead 1.4/0
All other values: 0

Two farm tractors:

Ford 2810- Ran 2 years and about 80 hours on Rotella-T 10W30, no used oil analysis

Farmall 826- Going on three years and 98 hours on 15W40 Rotella-T. I have a two used oil analysis, one at 45 hours and about a year, and another at 98 hours and a bit over two years. I haven't posted the info yet, but I guess I will now (look to the UPOA section in a while). At the end of the two years, oxidation was 21.9 and Nitration was 10.3. TBN was still 11.24 and viscosity was 15.7cSt. Soot was .814 percent. I'm gonna run this oil another season, making it three in total (been in there since 11/11/07)

So, if your car is stored in a climate controlled building, driven a reasonable distance when it is driven, my opinion (backed up by the above) is to run your miles and let the years sort themselves out.

 

[steve20]

FWIW my 02 LS6 is going on 18 months with 3200 miles and is at 50% on the oil life monitor. Will be changing it at the 2 year mark


Steve