Time (not mileage) between oil changes

[Q451990]

I can't imagine this hasn't been discussed before - but I couldn't find anything using the search function. If anyone could direct me to some good threads, I would appreciate it.

I know the old rule of thumb is 3 months between oil changes, but with today's advanced oil chemistry - what is a realistic time period between oil changes?

The reason I ask, is that my car has become sort of a garage queen. I put maybe 3K per year on it. Last year was less than 2K. So how long can I leave oil in it without it breaking down? I'm using M1 0w30 with an M1 filter, and traditionally change the oil every 4000 to 4500 miles, but at this rate that could mean two years between changes!

Thanks!

Heath

 

[wkcars]

Try this post, looks like 1 or 2 year...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-long-time-between-synthetic-oil-changes.75641/

 

[saberz]

I think its safe to say that you follow your owners manual and/or OLM.


Typically its 12 months max(if warrantied) for an oil change(pending make/model). If you have a garage queen that's rarely driven then I think you can follow that rule. if its extreme short trip driving daily then you would of course want to change it more often.

 

[chubbs1]

1 year is easy and safe. Don't push it past that, there is no point.

 

[Hallmark]

Most/many new OMs specify XXXX miles not to exceed one year for 'normal' driving. I would think 'little to no' driving in the period of a year would qualify for a 12 month OCI.

 

[Solarent]

M1 isn't going to break down in terms of oil stability for several years. but based on what I assume is a bunch of short trips and long wait periods between driving your main concern will be moisture buildup and overall oil acidity.

I would say change it every 12 months minimum - depending on driving conditions and environment. You probably won't do any damage by keeping it for 18 months, but 12 is your safe bet.

 

[Quattro Pete]

2 years shouldn't be a problem as long as you're not short tripping it and letting the oil fully warm up whenever you take it out for a ride.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with Pete, 2-3 years with quality synthetic oil and high end filter is not a problem if most trips are 15-20 miles or longer.

 

[Radman]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
1 year is easy and safe. Don't push it past that, there is no point.


I agree with Chubbs. Storing acidic oil in your engine longer than a year will increase corrosion. My garage queen gets 3-4K per year and fresh oil just before it is stored for the salty Michigan Winters.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
1 year is easy and safe. Don't push it past that, there is no point.


+1

I rarely drive my Nissan Frontier anymore, so it's now on a one year oil change interval.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Radman
Storing acidic oil in your engine longer than a year will increase corrosion.

If it does, it surely hasn't been evidenced by elevated metals on UOAs we've seen of oil that's been in service for 2 years or so.

If the additive pack hasn't been depleted, the oil should not be acidic.

 

[Solarent]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

If the additive pack hasn't been depleted, the oil should not be acidic.


agreed. acidity may increase with excess moisture and time but shouldn't be a serious problem.

as Pete said in his first reply: as long as you aren't short tripping and allow the oil to get to full operating temp [so the additive pack can do its job] you should be fine.

if you are making lots of short trips 12-18 months would be my safe max. I always put fresh oil in anything that will be stored for 3 months + (but thats more so I don't forget to change it later).

 

[ChrisD46]

What if for a short tripper running 2 ~ 5 miles at a time daily without the oil rarely coming up to temperature ? Would you still do a 12 month OCI or drop back to something like 6 months OCI ?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Quote:
What if for a short tripper running 2 ~ 5 miles at a time daily without the oil rarely coming up to temperature ? Would you still do a 12 month OCI or drop back to something like 6 months OCI ?



Excess moisture will quickly deplete the add pack. I'd probably do a UOA at 6 months to see how things are going, and proceed based on that.

 

[Solarent]

Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
What if for a short tripper running 2 ~ 5 miles at a time daily without the oil rarely coming up to temperature ? Would you still do a 12 month OCI or drop back to something like 6 months OCI ?


I agree with Pete, do a UOA at 6 months and see how your additives are sitting. If you need a comparison check out some of the UOA posted here.

 

[Q451990]

Thanks so much for all of the replies! Many of my trips are of the 5 or 10 minute variety. I really just need to drive the car more often... I definitely blow the cobwebs out when I get it on the road. I try to make sure it sees redline at least once per drive, after it's warmed up of course.

Heath

 

[ltslimjim]

^5-10 minute trips would fall under 'severe' service, not quite extreme, though.

I'd use a high-end synthetic and do 1-year oil changes with those kind of trips. Try to not turn the car off(unless idling would be more than 4 or 5 minutes at a time), by combining several short trips into one.

If you can increase the distance/time you drive(min 5 miles in summer or 10 mile trips in winter), you'd be fine to go beyond 1 year with a boutique oil, at such a low mileage. Keep the rest of the maintenance up on the vehicle and get a UOA after one year, that solves it.

 

[Torino]

Using Redline 10-30 in my 67 Mustang and running a total of 8-9000 mi.. I leave it in there for at least 3 years. No issues to date (16 years). John--Las vegas.

 

[earlyre]

I was wondering about this myself. i only live 4.5 mi from work, and most days, it's just that back & forth, with maybe 2mi for lunch break, so even waiting for 3k mi, I'm still 4-6 months,
service schedule for my neon says,for the "severe" schedule 3mo, or 3kmi, which ever comes first. for the normal schedule, it's 6k mi/6 mo, and something to the effect of "never exceed 6 months between oil changes under any circumstances "
going by their schedule, i should do my next in...late jan.. and i'll have maybe 1500mi. on Maxlife 5w-20 and a Fram High Milage OCOD(HM3614)

-side note, when i put that oil in, i was in a bit of a hurry, and dumped the whole 5.1 qt jug in, while the capacity is only 4.5qt. did't realize for 17 or so days, when i pumped 1/2 qt out of dipstick tube, it was already MUCH darker (Closer to a Pepsi in color, than the lovely amber when it went in. not quite Guinness black..)suggestions?

 

[Merkava_4]

I change the oil on September 01 and April 01.