Oil maintenance for somewhat high mileage with infrequent driving

[dbz335]

Hi, I just started changing my own oil, I'm currently using Pennzoil High Mileage Full Synthetic. It's a 2007 Toyota Yaris with ~85000 miles. I only drive 2 - 4k miles a year. Is changing it along with the filter once a year a good interval? I've seen elsewhere people are saying 18 months to 2 years but I feel that's too long

 

[rstsco]

Welcome to BITOG. What part of the world do you live? Environment plays a role, as well as whether the miles you're putting on are a bunch of short trips, or longer, sustained highway miles.

What does the owner's manual say? Usually it's X number of miles or one year. It's also a good time to look around your car for any other potential maintenance items needed, e.g. brakes, belts, hoses, etc.

Personally, I'd change mine once a year if I was only putting those number of miles. Regardless, you've come to the right place for others' opinions!

 

[ka9mnx]

For Off The Shelf oil once a year or 5k miles with filter.

 

[Donald]

Hi, I just started changing my own oil, I'm currently using full synthetic high mileage pennzoil. It's a 2007 Toyota Yaris with ~85000 miles. I only drive 2 - 4k miles a year. Is changing it along with the filter once a year a good interval? I've seen elsewhere ppl saying 18 months to 2 years but I feel that's too long

Is your driving short trips or does the engine get to normal operating temperature for 15 minutes during most drives?

 

[ATex7239]

One year or 5,000 miles whichever comes first.

How much are you saving pushing it to two years? $25-30 every other year? Basically a tank of gas, if that. Do you need to be that frugal? If not then an annual change, sleep well, worry about other things. If so do a used oil analysis and see if two years is valuable then go from there.

 

[dbz335]

Welcome to BITOG. What part of the world do you live? Environment plays a role, as well as whether the miles you're putting on are a bunch of short trips, or longer, sustained highway miles.

What does the owner's manual say? Usually it's X number of miles or one year. It's also a good time to look around your car for any other potential maintenance items needed, e.g. brakes, belts, hoses, etc.

Personally, I'd change mine once a year if I was only putting those number of miles. Regardless, you've come to the right place for others' opinions!

Thanks! I'm in the northeast, in my area we get have been getting milder winters but still at least one or more salting sessions a year if that's relevant. I'm right outside DC, so I'm in that awkward situation where I could technically use public transit/walk but it's a pain if I'm traveling away from DC. I usually do short trips for groceries and errands. I'm seeing ppl mention I should pool more errands or drive at least 15 min - 30 min to keep engine condensation away especially if I'm going for annual oil change.

The owner schedule I found on toyota.com says 5k or 6 months. Yeah I did coolant and brake fluid last year. Need to look at the belt and transmission fluid that was last changed around 7 years ago / car was at ~70k miles, no squeaks and fluid is still relatively pinkish/reddish but I've heard I could change both anyway due to age.

 

[dbz335]

One year or 5,000 miles whichever comes first.

How much are you saving pushing it to two years? $25-30 every other year? Basically a tank of gas, if that. Do you need to be that frugal? If not then an annual change, sleep well, worry about other things. If so do a used oil analysis and see if two years is valuable then go from there.

I used to do conventional oil about every 6 months at the mechanic but inflation happened :/. I started to do some research and started using synthetic a year or two ago when I noticed the 5qt synthetic off the shelf (~23$ in my area) is like 2-4$ more for the same conventional Pennzoil or sometimes same price if on sale. Yeah I'm hearing once a year should be fine as long as the engine is warmed up.

I've never done a used oil analysis (had to look up the acronym lol). What service do you use and what do you look for in the results?

 

[The Critic]

Synthetic oil does not automatically extend the service interval.
Toyota's service schedule requires an oil change every 6 months or 5K, whichever comes first.

 

[ATex7239]

I've never done a used oil analysis (had to look up the acronym lol). What service do you use and what do you look for in the results?

My applications and uses are very different from yours so it would not be helpful to you. I recommend doing some reading in the Oil Analysis Report Sub to learn more before doing one.

 

[CleanSump]

Short trip and low annual mileage in the DC area? - we have high humidity here so once a year might be a good idea. That's what I do with our short trip grocery getter.

 

[wtd]

I quit going by time in my vehicles that I don't drive much. I just go by mileage even if it takes a couple of years to get there.