What OCI for very low miles per year cars?

[frule]

Neither my wifes' 2003 Honda Element nor my 2002 Avalanche are driven many miles a year.She drives 6 miles to work(mixed city/hwy) and 6 home.Her car is driven daily,but totals 5,000 miles a year.Not a lot of stop and go,but some.

My Avalanche(5.3L 4WD) get even less use(2-3 days a week).It does get 2x a 12 mile run a week,so the oil gets well heated up.But I amass only 2,000 miles/year.

What oil/filter/change intervals should I consider for these 2 vehicles.It seems a pity to dump a load of oil every 2,000 miles on my truck?Suggestions?Thanks!Fred

 

[94MaxGXE]

"2x a 12 mile run a week,so the oil gets well heated up."
No.
If you said 32 mile run, I would agree.
IMHO

 

[Bill in Utah]

Even with 12 miles your oil is NOT getting warm enough.

Both vehicles should have a Oil change at LEAST every 6 months no matter what type of oil you use.

You need to get the water and byproducts out.

I'd recommend a good 5w-20 for the Honda (pennzoil conventional is excellent) and for the Chevy I'd had the same engine in my Silverado and the best UOA was with Chevron conventional 5w-30. Pennzoil was excellent also.

Be happy to "waste" oil every 6 months then pay the gas to take the oil up to a 5k run every 6 months.

I'd rather pay the the 1k oil change.

Also, CHANGE the filter EVERY time.

Welcome!

Bill

 

[mcrn]

Bill was that excellent UOA with Pennzoil conventional as well? And I agree with all above. You are not getting that oil hot enough so get it out of their after 6 months or take them out for a longer drive once a week.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: mcrn
Bill was that excellent UOA with Pennzoil conventional as well? And I agree with all above. You are not getting that oil hot enough so get it out of their after 6 months or take them out for a longer drive once a week.


My best was with the chevron. The next best was Pennzoil conventional. Worst was Mobil 1 SL.

I ran GTX and QS in it but never got a UOA.

Take care, bill

PS: This was in a 2000 silverado 4x4 ext cab 4.8l (which is the same as a 5.3 shorter stroke)

 

[frule]

Bill,if 12 miles is not a long enough trip,what is?

My truck does a 10 mile/stop 60 minutes/10 more miles.I've been using Pennzoil Platinum(got it on sale as cheap as dino,but I'm out).So,I'll return to Pennzoil dino(I use 5W-20 in the Honda and 5W30 in the Avalanche as recommended by manufactuers).

I should have said that both vehicles are very low mileage and use almost no oil(about 35K on each).Been using the older,larger Honda-brand filters(have a stock of 'em).

Every 6 months sure seems like overkill,but I'm open to change!Thanks.

 

[ThirdeYe]

frule - Are you referring to the A01 Honda filters or the A02? The A01 are superior to the A02 and are EXCELLENT filters. I will probably start using them exclusively after I run out of my other stock of filters.

 

[Cory]

I'd say every 9 months.
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/_res/pdf/OLS1.pdf

 

[frule]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
frule - Are you referring to the A01 Honda filters or the A02? The A01 are superior to the A02 and are EXCELLENT filters. I will probably start using them exclusively after I run out of my other stock of filters.

Yes,the AO1.I found a case on Ebay a while back at a great price.

 

[frule]

Originally Posted By: Cory
I'd say every 9 months.
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/_res/pdf/OLS1.pdf


Cory,that link only gives mileages for OCI.If I used only that chart,the OCI would be over a year under the worst driving conditions.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: frule
Bill,if 12 miles is not a long enough trip,what is?

My truck does a 10 mile/stop 60 minutes/10 more miles.I've been using Pennzoil Platinum(got it on sale as cheap as dino,but I'm out).So,I'll return to Pennzoil dino(I use 5W-20 in the Honda and 5W30 in the Avalanche as recommended by manufactuers).

I should have said that both vehicles are very low mileage and use almost no oil(about 35K on each).Been using the older,larger Honda-brand filters(have a stock of 'em).

Every 6 months sure seems like overkill,but I'm open to change!Thanks.


Depending on the temp outside I'd say a min of 20 miles one way (at a time) when it is above freezing and 30 miles below. (and those times/distances are if there is nothing wrong with the cars, add FI problem or PCV then longer to warm up and burn off the crud)

I did a UOA on a subaru (easy on the oil engine) and when you drive it long distances, it does excellent with any oil.

When you drive it short trips even @ 4.4k miles with PP the UOA came back worst than 5k with Halvoline DS.

No way would I recommend more than 6 months MAX with ANY oil.

Take care, bill

 

[Cory]

Originally Posted By: frule
Originally Posted By: Cory
I'd say every 9 months.
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/_res/pdf/OLS1.pdf


Cory,that link only gives mileages for OCI.If I used only that chart,the OCI would be over a year under the worst driving conditions.


I thought you were looking for suggestions? I concur with your above statement on the timeline issue and thus the 9 month OCI suggestion.

The supplied data from GM is for oil expectations. In addition to this supplied information, GM also suggests to at least change your oil annually.

Sorry you disapproved of my researched findings that I made available to you. Thought I was offering valid information for your decision making process. I'll know better next time.

 

[bullwinkle]

If you're not getting the oil all the way to operating temp (which could take 30 miles in cold weather), then you're definitely in severe duty country, I personally wouldn't go longer than 3K, every 3 months would be better, I'd be afraid of internal corrosion/etc. from condensation buildup. The only way to be sure would be analysis.