OCI Recommendation for low annual miles?

[kballowe]

We have a 2010 Ford Mustang GT 4.6L automatic that gets maybe 5k miles annually. It gets driven around the local area on nice days and is the car that we use to take a couple trips each year.

Currently we're using the Motorcraft 5W-20 and Motorcraft filter. First change was @ 1K and second @ 3K.

Just not sure about change intervals for such a low mileage vehicle...

Anyone?

 

[pbm]

Despite other opinions, I think you did the right thing with the two early oil changes to remove break-in debris.
I would now start doing an annual oil change (5K) using a good synthetic like PP and a Motorcraft or Pureone filter. This is predicated on the fact that you are doing a few long trips each year to burn-off contaminants. If all of your driving is short trip type, I would use dino/Puro classic @ 3K intervals.

 

[bigdawg74]

My Silverado gets about 6k miles a year due to a short work commute. I do a twice a year OCI, spring and fall, using dino (PYB/MC5K, etc.) Time is more a factor than mileage for us.

 

[Scienceman]

I think what you have been using sounds good!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

The 5W20 Motorcraft Blend is cheap enough to change it out every 6 months IMHO.

 

[FZ1]

Fall and Spring.

 

[kballowe]

I was initially thinking 3,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.

I run my other cars at 5K OCIs with conventional motor oil - but they are ran 15K+ miles annually and 80% interstate.

 

[Kestas]

I switch two cars seasonally. Neither one sees more than 6K in a given year. Sometimes they see only one oil change in a year. There's no need to be wasteful.

One classic car owner on this forum did a used oil analysis on oil that ran over two years but saw less than 3K. The used oil analysis showed the oil was fine and good for further use.

 

[mechtech2]

Motorcraft 5-20 is a really good oil - a tough semi synthetic.
It's what I'd use, or Pennzoil conventional.
You driving style may change - the car is not that old to determine it's actual use.
5k or once a year will be a good safe start . Full synthetics can double that, but I would not leave the oil in for over a year.
I personally change oil early, but recognize I can go much longer.

 

[mgm13]

Still under warantee-follow owners manual or forfeit the warantee.

 

[sangyup81]

since it's local driving and MO gets cold weather, do it twice a year

 

[dparm]

Do six months, regardless of mileage. You can go longer if you're willing to step up to a synthetic.

If you don't drive at all during the winter, you can get away with once a year.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Once a year.

 

[RTexasF]

Did it not come with an owner's manual? Odd as it seems there may be some information hidden within it..........providing one reads it.

 

[Boss302fan]

Once a year is fine for your application. Today's oils just do not go bad within a year.

 

[kballowe]

Originally Posted By: RTexasF
Did it not come with an owner's manual? Odd as it seems there may be some information hidden within it..........providing one reads it.


Yeah and that's the first place I looked but it really doesn't talk to this situation.