Oil recommendation for Lil' old Lady

[JGmazda]

My elderly aunt has a 2001 Buick LeSabre that just hit 30k miles. On very rare occasions, she'll drive it 20 miles and back to her home. For the most part though... she drives it one block to go get her mail. About 3-4 times a week. (yes, ONE block)

I maintain her car for her and last change was 11 months ago using Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 and a Mobil 1 filter. Car resides in AZ. and does not see low temps. Manual calls for 10w30

So here's my question: What oil do you recommend? OCI? I originally thought a "0W" synthetic oil would be the best choice.
But now...? There are so many great "Dino's" on the market.

The car barely gets warm and then is put back in the garage.

 

[oilboy123]

Use a good syn of 0w,5w, 10w30 and call it good. I use Amsoil extended drain oils, Mobil 1 Extended Performance would be what I would use if not using the Amsoil.

If using Dino I would not go a year.....

 

[crazyoildude]

5w30 sm rated changed every 4 months..Reason because there is condensation from not fully warming up.. Syn is good but the oil has to be changed more often because of the super short distances

 

[Pablo]

You could do dino every four months.

If you want to go synthetic once a year I would go with:

Amsoil ACD SAE 30/10W-30

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
5w30 sm rated changed every 4 months..Reason because there is condensation from not fully warming up.. Syn is good but the oil has to be changed more often because of the super short distances


+1 This is what I would do!

 

[simple_gifts]

This is where $1.39 clearance oil has a clear benefit over syn IMHO

Syn for cars that are driven.
Conv for cars that are not.

 

[bullwinkle]

You need to take that car out & RUN it for her at least every couple weeks-not only is condensate/water going to build up in her engine oil, but she'll rot out her exhaust system from not getting it up to operating temperature. +1 on the 3 month OCIs, use an SM conventional 5w30 oil, whatever you can get a good deal on (Mobil Drive Clean, Pennzoil conventional, and Valvoline conventional would all be excellent choices)-that Buick will probably last the rest of her life!

 

[RedByrd]

Quaker State green bottle and a Purolator.
Change it every 6 months or so.

In this application, I don't think there's any benefit to synthetics or anything but basic protection.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Originally Posted By: RedByrd
Quaker State green bottle and a Purolator.
Change it every 6 months or so.

In this application, I don't think there's any benefit to synthetics or anything but basic protection.


+1. Any SM dino, changed every 6 months.

 

[sangyup81]

I don't see much wrong with what you are doing. You're in a warm climate so it doesn't take as much to get the car warmed up.

Question is just how rare are those 20 mile trips?

 

[lonestar]

My 90 year old mother has 04 Malibu w/V6 and she drives to church on Sundays and Wednesday (about 2 miles each way) and to the store about once a week (less then .5 miles). Occasionally she will drive the car long enough to get it good and warm but that is becoming less often. I have used Amsoil 0W30 or Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W30 with either Amsoil or AC Delco filters and do 1 year OCIs. The car currently has about 13K miles on it. Right or wrong, I am comfortable using either the Amsoil or Mobil 1 Extended Performance and following 1 year OCIs for this application.

 

[Silber Igel]

JG,

No disrespect for your Auntie.... but it's a nine year old Buick.
While you don't want Auntie to have a break down or need a replacement the reality is its an old car and the re-sale/trade in value is not going to improve with more intensive maintainence or oil changes. My dear Mother-in-law had a newish top of the line Honda Accord when she passed on.... It was worth what it was worth a the time of her passing... despite having minimal service during her ownership.

I'd keep doing what you are doing and not sweat all the concerns like not evaporating condensate out of the engine or the exhaust. A 0W or 5W would be the best choice for maximum pumpablity and circulation on these short trips.

Its not unusual for a one block drive on a southwestern day to have the engine nearly at operating temps unlike more temperate climates.

 

[JGmazda]

Hey guys... Appreciate all the suggestions. Yes, it's nine years old and will probably be her last vehicle. She loves that car. It's actually a great vehicle. Very comfortable.

I do try to get it on the highway when I can and it's been on some long trips in the past. The 3.8L V-6 is a nice engine.

I was just concerned that a one-year OCI (even with synthetic) isn't the best thing for it. I think a shorter 4-month OCI would be better... Maybe Mobil Clean 5000 or Pennzoil conventional. Whatever is on sale. 5w30 over the 10w30 viscosity.

She's aware of these short trips and what they might do to her car.. but? It's just one of those things. I'll bet thousands of cars lead lives like this.

Now... I need to look at that Dex-cool!

 

[HTSS_TR]

For such short trips I would use conventional 5W20 with 4-5 months OCI.

 

[oilboy123]

I know I would not want to do oil changes 2 or 3 times a year. If you have the time to, more power to ya.

 

[JGmazda]

It's really not that bad on this car. Ramps. Filter is right there. Not bad at all. But yeah... I think twice a year will be more like it.

 

[mechtech2]

Frequent changes of cheap conventional oil are best in this situation.
What is frequent for this car? Not more than 6 months.

 

[Oldwolf]

I say once a year is fine as long as you check it every time you see her.

 

[crazyoildude]

That nine year old buick is going to last a long long time those are good cars, Maybe they will keep it in the family or maybe she will live another 10 years who knows

 

[JGmazda]

So true! It's a keeper. I was thinking of pulling a few of the spark plugs too. Anyone know how you get at those in rear??