PCMO for low frequency use?

[buck91]

My 2011 F150 doesn't see a ton of miles, about 2k per year now or maybe even less. Last OCI was in 2023 and just did it again based on time alone. I don't necessarily mind doing it yearly "to be safe" but I like using quality oil and filter and just think that is wasteful. What should I be looking for in a motor oil for longer time-frame OCI but still relatively low miles? Any reason to keep buying name brand Mobil 1 / Pennzoil Platinum / etc or will any old "synthetic" do just as well in this use?

 

[JavierH19]

Even for a once every other year oil change Super Tech 5w-30 would be fine but I'd rather spend a few buck more on 0/5w-40 with a higher tbn for a 2 year 4k interval. Mobil 1 0w-40 is on sale for 24.97. Castrol 5w-40 is a buck less but I'd rather spend a buck more.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Use the cheapest synthetic on sale, or the cheap Walmart brand Super Tech syn

 

[SC Maintenance]

How are these miles put on? Is it used once a week for 10 mile trips or every day for 1 mile trips?

The former probably doesn't matter what you use. The latter will be a problem for any oil because it will never get warm.

 

[DanL13]

I’ve got a truck (20 years older) that is in the same boat. Last oil change was 2 years ago tomorrow actually and a hair over 1800 miles. I use the leftovers in it. Every oil change I do on anything else I drain the drippings out of every container over night into a different jug (doesn’t equal a ton of oil at the end of a year but it’s something). I also use any partial containers. I’ll change the oil in it this weekend most likely and it’ll have a mix of full synthetic and synthetic blend 0w20, 5w20, 5w30, 10w30, and 10w30 HDEO. Is it ideal? Probably not. Is it good enough for a limited use pickup for a year or two, I’d say so.

 

[charbaby]

I would also suggest using SuperTech oils or similar such as Kirkland, Amazon Basic or other store brand oils that you can get at the best prices, maybe even with a filter(called bundling).
I do the same as DanL13. However, I use the leftover oils for my OPE.

 

[4wd]

QS is priced close to ST and is a good synthetic …
Valvoline HM appears to be a 50/50 + ML additives …

 

[barbersurgeon]

What are you running in the other f150 and the mustang? I’d be tempted to to use the same in all three.

 

[Infomercial]

According to quora heavy diesel oils have more additives to combat acidic oxidation

 

[Ride_Red]

My daughter's car was very low mile usage. I changed the oil and filter every two years with only about 3000 miles on the oil. The oil always drained clean and no signs of sludge or varnish in the engine. I used whatever was on sale at Walmart, Quaker state, Super Tech, Pennzoil, Etc. Owned the car for 8 years and sold it with 200K miles on the ODO. Never a problem with the engine.

 

[buck91]

How are these miles put on? Is it used once a week for 10 mile trips or every day for 1 mile trips?

The former probably doesn't matter what you use. The latter will be a problem for any oil because it will never get warm.

Mostly "full" trips. At least to a good full warm up if not longer. Rarely less than that, intentionally.

What are you running in the other f150 and the mustang? I’d be tempted to to use the same in all three.

Mustang is kind of the same boat but even less use. Basically a retired garage queen after much faithful service. I just change with good cheap oil when I remember. The other truck gets Kirkland 5w30 synthetic every 4-5k because I don't trust the factory specs on a GTDI, even if the 2.7L isn't known for the timing hardware problems of its larger brother.