Retired and yearly mileage is really low

[taoshum]

DW and I retired a few years ago and now our yearly mileage is really low... like 2000 to 3000 miles/year max on each of three vehicles... Dodge Van (her car); Ford Fusion (my car) and Jeep Wrangler (our car).

Everytime we drive one of these vehicles, it's at least 20 miles on the highway to get anywhere, usually several hundred to visit the grand children. Our working life OCI was 3000/6mo; now, it's 5000/12 mo. Looking at the oil that comes out... seems like it could be 5000/24mo whichever comes first, or better yet, every 5000 miles regardless of time.

Is this really, really stupid? or maybe OK?

newbie, I guess you can tell.

PS: always use Castrol 5W-20. We live in a pretty cold area.

 

[addyguy]

If you live in an area that gets cold winters, stick to once a year changes - cold weather operating is hard on oil.

 

[CATERHAM]

First welcome to BITOG!

Yes, since you're not doing any short trips and don't suffer cold winters I'd say 5,000 miles or 2 years is entirely reasonable.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I'd stick with a once a year routine.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with CATERHAM, good long highway drives is very easy on oil, I would do 5k/2years OCI.

If you like Castrol then it's okay, but any brand name conventional SM or SN oil is good for that OCI.

 

[FL_Rob]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
First welcome to BITOG!

Yes, since you're not doing any short trips and don't suffer cold winters I'd say 5,000 miles or 2 years is entirely reasonable.

plus two on this

 

[glum]

Owner's manual.

 

[FZ1]

Use a synthetic and change it every Fall.

 

[gathermewool]

With such low mileage and all-highway trips, 5k/2 years makes perfect sense. Why waste money on synthetic, especially at 3k intervals?

 

[JeremyInMT]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
First welcome to BITOG!

Yes, since you're not doing any short trips and don't suffer cold winters I'd say 5,000 miles or 2 years is entirely reasonable.



he said he does have cold winters.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Once per year, whatever miles sounds reasonable to me.

I've got a 2.5 yr/3,300mi oil change UOA to send in from the Camaro this week. I think I'll do a TBN on this one. I suspect it will be just fine, personally.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: JeremyInMT
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
First welcome to BITOG!
Yes, since you're not doing any short trips and don't suffer cold winters I'd say 5,000 miles or 2 years is entirely reasonable.

he said he does have cold winters.

I suppose the OP could elaborate on just how cold it gets in his area of New Mexico. It is a dry climate; perhaps I should have said "don't suffer extreme cold".
The main point is no short trips, so the 5,000 miles or two years should be a none issue. For vehicles with an OCM I would of course defer to that.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM

I suppose the OP could elaborate on just how cold it gets in his area of New Mexico. It is a dry climate; perhaps I should have said "don't suffer extreme cold".
The main point is no short trips, so the 5,000 miles or two years should be a none issue. For vehicles with an OCM I would of course defer to that.


I agree.

 

[JeremyInMT]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: JeremyInMT
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
First welcome to BITOG!
Yes, since you're not doing any short trips and don't suffer cold winters I'd say 5,000 miles or 2 years is entirely reasonable.

he said he does have cold winters.

I suppose the OP could elaborate on just how cold it gets in his area of New Mexico. It is a dry climate; perhaps I should have said "don't suffer extreme cold".
The main point is no short trips, so the 5,000 miles or two years should be a none issue. For vehicles with an OCM I would of course defer to that.


Could be. Some parts of New Mexico are high altitude and arid.

 

[Kira]

Hello, In the same vein: My dear Mom drives her 1999 Saab 9-5 4cyl.(low pressure turbo) VERY little and always short trips. I use either Mobil 1 0W-40 or GC (Castrol 0W-30) because they're A3,B3 oils. I want to go 5,000 miles but the oil gets so stinky with what I think is fuel contamination. I don't feel the 2 or 3 700 mile weekend runs I give it are enough to cleanse the oil-if such a thing is possible. Kira

 

[Patman]

For this situation I'd go 2 years between changes if using synthetic, or one year between changes if using conventional oil.

 

[walk23]

once a yr. oil changes

 

[mechtech2]

Those highway miles each time are a huge benefit . Not only to the oil, but the engine in general and the whole car.

There are no hard and fast rules here. But 5K and 1-2 years for an oil change should work fine [with today's oils and your situation].

P.S. Try to keep up with electronic gadgets so you can keep up with your grandkids!

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Hello, In the same vein: My dear Mom drives her 1999 Saab 9-5 4cyl.(low pressure turbo) VERY little and always short trips. I use either Mobil 1 0W-40 or GC (Castrol 0W-30) because they're A3,B3 oils. I want to go 5,000 miles but the oil gets so stinky with what I think is fuel contamination. I don't feel the 2 or 3 700 mile weekend runs I give it are enough to cleanse the oil-if such a thing is possible. Kira

A bit of a thread highjack, I'd suggest any 5W-30 and change the oil in October, January and April. She could consider a 0W/5W-20 for the Jan' oil change.

 

[Frank D]

You say you always use Castrol 5w20. Do all your vehicles spec 5w20?
Originally Posted By: taoshum
DW and I retired a few years ago and now our yearly mileage is really low... like 2000 to 3000 miles/year max on each of three vehicles... Dodge Van (her car); Ford Fusion (my car) and Jeep Wrangler (our car).

Everytime we drive one of these vehicles, it's at least 20 miles on the highway to get anywhere, usually several hundred to visit the grand children. Our working life OCI was 3000/6mo; now, it's 5000/12 mo. Looking at the oil that comes out... seems like it could be 5000/24mo whichever comes first, or better yet, every 5000 miles regardless of time.

Is this really, really stupid? or maybe OK?

newbie, I guess you can tell.

PS: always use Castrol 5W-20. We live in a pretty cold area.