Very low mileage vehicle oil change interval?

[Rusty99]

I have a very very low mileage 2013 Toyota Tundra. It only gets driven for the summer months each year. It gets driven anywhere from 1000 - 2000 km annually.

I generally change the oil & filter every autumn before it gets parked for 8 months.

Here is my question. I last changed the oil in October 2023. In 2024 due to medical problems the Tundra only made it on the road once for 100km drive. Today (July 2025) it is 21 months since the last oil change and the truck is going to be on the road.

1. I plan to change the oil today but don’t see a reason to change the filter. Any issue not changing the filter?

2. Does clean oil that sits in an engine for 21 months “breakdown” or gather debris or moisture?

It would be great to hear from some folks who have experience with low mileage vehicle maintenance. Thanks!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

IMO Don't change the oil. Drive it. Give it a good 20-30 mile highway run if possible.

Change the oil and filter in the Fall
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note: the PCV is open to ambient conditions by the vent hose from the air filter housing to the valve cover or valley cover. Never understood the reason some guys pull the DS or open the fill cap to "let in air"

 

[Oliveoil2]

Don't change the oil. Drive it.

This^^^.

 

[Lubener]

At your current driving rate, I would change the oil every two years.

 

[ATex7239]

I’m actually more concerned with the filter than the oil regarding the age to be honest. Oil filter construction and quality these days from various manufacturers can be hit or miss.

That said I’d change it with Supertech oil and filter. What are we talking about here like ~$40, yeah? As far as driving it around more, you’re gonna spend ~$100 in gas to save ~$40 worth of oil.

I’ve owned several personal vehicles that sit a lot because I had work vehicles as daily drivers. I’d always do an annual change on my bday month so it was easy to remember.

 

[JohnnyG]

Generaly accepted (by me) is 24 months in this kind of service, filter can be done every other oil change, so 4 years.

 

[VolkswagenFox21]

I have an FRS that gets driven only in the summer anywhere from 2000 - 5000 km a year. I just change oil and filter every fall.

 

[JHZR2]

I have plenty of cars that get very low mileage.

Even long ago filters were wood for two years and 25k km/15k miles. For oil, if unused, the amount of moisture that could condense in there is pretty small, fuel is nil.

That said, it is worthwhile to get even environmental condensate out. But short trip use is worse by far. That said, a few longish trips, certainly longer than 20-30 miles, maybe 75-100 total, would be ideal. Then you can run a long time. Yes, the avoidance of short tripping can be a hassle, you can become a slave to that requirement. Which is why you’d then want to change the oil more often.

But I’d start with 24 months and a UOA and go from there.

 

[trd1zz]

I'd change the oil at the start of each driving season

 

[Patman]

I'd change the oil at the start of each driving season

If it’s not going to be driven much in the winter months then it’s better to do the oil change before that time period as opposed to after

 

[trd1zz]

If it’s not going to be driven much in the winter months then it’s better to do the oil change before that time period as opposed to after

Why is that? The used oil is just going to sit in the pan in the off season. Then when you come back you change it before you start driving and it's fresh for the driving season.

Doing the opposite doesn't make much sense to me especially in the case of OP where life happens and you don't return to the car for 1-2 years. Why would you put brand new oil in at the end of the season and just let it sit there for years before you drive with it. I imagine the new oil would do better sitting in the unopened jug.

 

[Patman]

Why is that? The used oil is just going to sit in the pan in the off season. Then when you come back you change it before you start driving and it's fresh for the driving season.

Doing the opposite doesn't make much sense to me especially in the case of OP where life happens and you don't return to the car for 1-2 years. Why would you put brand new oil in at the end of the season and just let it sit there for years before you drive with it. I imagine the new oil would do better sitting in the unopened jug.

Because used oil is more acidic and can do more damage to the engine when it’s sitting for a long period of not being used.

And then that oil is basically still brand new for the beginning of the driving season.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I would change oil and filter 1X a year. Keeps fresher oil in it. Oil picks up by products of combustion, albeit a small amount in you're case. Patman is right, it picks up some acidity when just hangin out in the oil pan.

 

[ka9mnx]

The oil in my F150 is approaching three years. That will be about 3.5k miles. I think I'll change it next year. Same filter for three years.

 

[Nessism1]

The oil has acid buffers, I don't think the oil turning acidic over the winter is a big issue on a low usage vehicle like the OP has. I'd leave the oil for two years or so.

As an aside, bringing older motorcycles out of long term storage is one of my hobbies. I've worked on several bikes that sat for decades. Pulling the valve cover to do valve adjustment, I have never one time seen a vehicle with any rust or abnormal storage rot attributable to the oil.

P1010283 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010284 by nessism, on Flickr