Time vs. Miles???

[wytstang]

I tried a search and after a few pages no answers so I figured I'd ask. Alright last oil changed I performed on my car was in May 22 2006 (just shy of 5,000)with 130,000 miles on the motor, my next oil change was going to be Oct/06 with 135,000. Well the problem I ran into is since I live so close to work and grocieries (commissary)I really haven't put any miles on the car (95 Mustang GT 5.0). We are in Nov and the car only has 133,xxx since the last oil change in May. Should I be concerned that the protection is breaking down due to age? Do I need to do the oil change according too dates rather then mileage in my case?
Recap:1995 Mustang GT 5.0
Last oil change in May 22, 06 with 130,000 on motor
Oil change Due in Oct/06 5,000 later
Problem-We're in Nov and I've only been able to rack up just over 3,000 miles (car has 133,xxx right now)
Oil used MC 10w30
Filter-FL1A

 

[deven]

I dont drive a lot either so what i like to do is change the oil twice a year, in october before winter with 5w20 or 0w20 and once in April, right before summer with 5w30 or 10w30.

 

[wytstang]

So your going by dates? have you done a used oil analysis to see what going on? My last used oil analysis came back great ________ Blackstone labs wanted me to go to 6,000 for my next oil change. It's just taking way to long to reach 5,000.

 

[deven]

With the newer engine oils, going 5000 or 6000 miles and changing oil would be fine as long as you do 1 OC per year. I do mine twice a year because i own a Lexus and there have been reports of sludge built due to neglect on the owners part and i have the warranty to worry about too. If your used oil analysis are fine then listen to blackstone labs, they know more than i do.

 

[wytstang]

My used oil analysis came back great actually it just has never taken this long to put miles on my car. My last (and first) used oil analysis was when I was still living in south Fl, so I was able to rack up miles down there and plenty of miles during the move to SC (with 2 more trips to central Fl). Now here at the AFB everything is a short drive (10 min max).

 

[Auto-Union]

In general, I like time intervals better then miles. Figure out how often you WANT to change oil and pick an oil that lets you go that long, based on approx miles and operating conditons. Say 3 times a year, 4 months a pop. Be it 5000 miles or 8000, more miles usually equals longer trips and less contamination. The person who only goes 3000 miles in 4 months probally needs an OC anyway. Time intervals allow a visc change for seasons too.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Miles not time for me. It may take me ten months to hit 5k in one vehicle and only4 months to hit 5k in the other..I change at 5k.

 

[Lonnie]

I saw a forumla by TooSlick that my cousin has been using that has to do with gallons of gas, quality of oil and type of driving. I think fuel consumption would be a good indicator of how hard your engine is working. Do a lot of idling or stop and go driving and you use up more gas, and highway driving the mileage might improve. It seams like this would be a good compromise between time vs miles.

 

[Auto-Union]

Bryan, what if your 5000 miles ends up on Jan 20th, the coldest day of the year? Bear in mind too, CC is one of the first characteristics an oil looses in-service. I'd much rather change on Dec 1 and have fresh oil in for cold.

3x a year is a good system. Something like this:
Dec Jan Feb Mar (coldest is end of Jan)
Apr May Jun July (warmest is end of July)
Aug Sept Oct Nov

I'm stuck doing 4x a year because of mileage, necessitating a change mid-winter.(usually just the oil and leave the filter on)

Dec Jan Feb
Mar Apr May
Jun Jul Aug
Sept Oct Nov

On my wife's CRV, she drives low miles, so 2x a year for her, centering the OCI on hot/cold points so visc is more correct and no mid-winter change.

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Quote:

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Bryan, what if your 5000 miles ends up on Jan 20th, the coldest day of the year?

---

The concrete on my driveway will be cool and probably dry, It will probably be in the 60's during the afternoon. MY weather averages.
A January oil change is obviously not an inconvenience or discomfort in my case. Cold crank is really not a huge issue either. When my handy Toyota Maint required light begins to blink I stop and pick up a Fresh filter and When it goes solid I change the oil. It takes 20 minutes with my handy top filtered 1GRFE. I do my own tire rotations too and I prefer that chore in January _vs_ July.

Everyone needs to evaluate there own situations, duty cycles etc. For me I like to simply go by mileage no schedule, no dates to remeber and less oil changes.

 

[Auto-Union]

You got me there. Texas, lol.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Quote:

---

I tried a search and after a few pages no answers so I figured I'd ask. Alright last oil changed I performed on my car was in May 22 2006 (just shy of 5,000)with 130,000 miles on the motor, my next oil change was going to be Oct/06 with 135,000. Well the problem I ran into is since I live so close to work and grocieries (commissary)I really haven't put any miles on the car (95 Mustang GT 5.0). We are in Nov and the car only has 133,xxx since the last oil change in May. Should I be concerned that the protection is breaking down due to age? Do I need to do the oil change according too dates rather then mileage in my case?
Recap:1995 Mustang GT 5.0
Last oil change in May 22, 06 with 130,000 on motor
Oil change Due in Oct/06 5,000 later
Problem-We're in Nov and I've only been able to rack up just over 3,000 miles (car has 133,xxx right now)
Oil used MC 10w30
Filter-FL1A

---

What does the car manual say? Most specify time limits too, like toyota's 6 months, subaru's 7.5 months ect.

 

[sifan]

Water in oil due to condensation will create corrosion to internal engine parts if left unchecked.