Oil Change Frequency on Low Mileage Garage Queen

[gphollywood]

We have a 1994 Chevy Suburban, 5.7L engine, that we use at a Rocky Mountain, 4-season vacation home. We've owned the car since new - one owner - and it has always been garaged, year round. We put about 800 miles per year on the Suburban, on an average of 8 visits over the course of a given year. A true Garage Queen.

I have always used Mobil 1 or other synthetic oil, and have changed the oil once per year, which works out to an oil change frequency of about every 800 miles. Is this unnecessary and too frequent of an oil change interval? Wasting money? Should we change to a less frequent oil change interval, such once per 2 or 3 years? Is synthetic oil like Mobil 1 less susceptible to contamination and degradation? Some website forums say change it once per year regardless of mileage, but the type of oil used isn't often clear - I think those forums are often referencing traditional oil. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rolla07]

Does the oil get up to temp when driven? If so id change every 2 years..could probably even do every 3..

 

[Nick1994]

Once every 2 years with Mobil 1 High Mileage.

Does it really have less than 20k miles?

Let's see some pics!

 

[BrocLuno]

I have run oil as long as 5 years in seldom started engines. BUT, you have to make sure it comes to full op temp when run. If there is any question about whether or not the motor has gotten warm enough, I change it more frequently.

I suspect that on something worth this much (with that few miles, it's worth plenty...), I'd err on the side of caution and prolly do every other year

I'd change the filter every 4th year

 

[4wd]

Two is mechanically sound - but if that starts to bother you, well one/year is not "waste" on that precious gem ...

A family member had that one way back - a kid changed the oil at (box) - Mobil 1
He drove it a few days - being one of those who checks oil before a road trip - found the 'Burb 3 qts low.
Went 180k - trouble free ... Traded for new one ...

 

[Chris B.]

I have a 1997 GMC Sierra that has also been a garage queen its entire life. I average anywhere from 800 to 1000 miles per year, sometimes it takes me a year and a half. I then change the oil which has always been Castrol GTX 5w30 and I test it through Blackstone labs and it always comes out with a good total base number and low wear. I also make sure it gets to full operating temperature every time I start the engine and before I park it in the garage till next time. Castrol GTX seems to serve it well and I'm sure the synthetic oil would do even better.
Here she is still in mint condition inside and out:

 

[Popsy]

Wow!

 

[FCD]

Change the oil every 2 or 3 years with Mobil 1 5w30 HM, change the oil filter....whenever you want to , such low miles a year and using full synthetic it won't get dirty

 

[SR5]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
I have a 1997 GMC Sierra…………...Here she is still in mint condition inside and out:


WOW !!!

 

[Boczech]

Very SWEET looking ride !!

 

[Farmer]

Castrol Magnatec? Might be good for clinging onto things while your truck is sitting.

 

[NavyVet88]

Wow that is truly a gem sir!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: NavyVet88
Wow that is truly a gem sir!


It sure is!

 

[Ducked]

There seem to be two potential issues, condensation accumulation inside the engine due to ambient temperature cycling, and 'passive' oxidation of the oil.

The first will happen even inside a garage unless its temperature controlled and/or dehumidified.

Manufacturers use this to justify annual oil changes on a low mileage car. I don't (literally) buy this. The water will be driven off when the engine gets to operating temperature. Changing the oil alone would be relatively ineffective since some of the water might have settled out and is quite likely to remain in the engine.

The only way it could make sense would be if the water promoted breakdown of the oil. One could test this, but I don't recall ever seeing any such data.

Passive oxidation of the oil happens but very slowly. I've seen three years suggested as a guideline for mineral oil. With synthetic this could perhaps be stretched to five.

 

[Bamaro]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Does the oil get up to temp when driven? If so id change every 2 years..could probably even do every 3..

Excellent advice

 

[alarmguy]

The truck looks great and you have been do a great job maintaining it. Im not sure why you are looking to change that.
I dont agree with the others, I much rather change the oil once a year as you have been doing then look to extend it by using a synthetic.
To me its all oil marketing that influnces people to not follow a maintance schedule. Put another way, your engine will not be better off extending oil changes by using Mobil 1.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: gphollywood
We have a 1994 Chevy Suburban, 5.7L engine, that we use at a Rocky Mountain, 4-season vacation home. We've owned the car since new - one owner - and it has always been garaged, year round. We put about 800 miles per year on the Suburban, on an average of 8 visits over the course of a given year. A true Garage Queen.

I have always used Mobil 1 or other synthetic oil, and have changed the oil once per year, which works out to an oil change frequency of about every 800 miles. Is this unnecessary and too frequent of an oil change interval? Wasting money? Should we change to a less frequent oil change interval, such once per 2 or 3 years? Is synthetic oil like Mobil 1 less susceptible to contamination and degradation? Some website forums say change it once per year regardless of mileage, but the type of oil used isn't often clear - I think those forums are often referencing traditional oil. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.


Agree with folks saying 2 years. 1 year/800 miles is nothing for M1. The oil could probably go longer without an issue but depending on the filter, THAT may have to be changed out eventually.

 

[gphollywood]

That's great thought - the garage is not temperature controlled, though it's slightly warmer than the outside ambient temperature because it is attached to the home (2 walls shared with home), and the home is heated to 45 degrees through the winter. But the garage itself will be sub-freezing if the outside temperature is much below freezing. No direct moisture in the garage whatsoever.

To earlier questions, the Suburban has 26k miles and is 22 years old. In its early years we drove it closer to 2k miles per year, but the last decade plus it settled to under 1k per year. In fact, this year will likely fall short of the last decade average of 800 miles.

I will take and post photos later.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: gphollywood
That's great thought - the garage is not temperature controlled, though it's slightly warmer than the outside ambient temperature because it is attached to the home (2 walls shared with home), and the home is heated to 45 degrees through the winter. But the garage itself will be sub-freezing if the outside temperature is much below freezing. No direct moisture in the garage whatsoever.

To earlier questions, the Suburban has 26k miles and is 22 years old. In its early years we drove it closer to 2k miles per year, but the last decade plus it settled to under 1k per year. In fact, this year will likely fall short of the last decade average of 800 miles.

I will take and post photos later.


Id love to see pictures od the inside and out! I love this vintage! Interested in selling it?

 

[Chris B.]

bump