Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I'd look at/smell the oil on the stick after 12 months. Make sure it's not burning oil or burnt. I've gone 18 months and 8k+ on dino oil. No issues. DO Not rely on service/dealer maint depts tell you when to change. They'd have you in every month changing all fluids.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Check out this site:
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/UsedOil/ChangeInterval/
And here's an article that had me changing my tune over a decade ago.
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/your ... tcuts.html
Now, with COVID and most people working from home, time is probably more important than miles these days.
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/UsedOil/ChangeInterval/
And here's an article that had me changing my tune over a decade ago.
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/your ... tcuts.html
Now, with COVID and most people working from home, time is probably more important than miles these days.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Half the people think that is too soon, the other half, too early.
While we are at it we should ask people their favorite oil filter and watch this thread explode
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Lol!!TheOscarGuy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:18 pmHalf the people think that is too soon, the other half, too early.
While we are at it we should ask people their favorite oil filter and watch this thread explode
Or ask what oil weight is best.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I biked to work for 11 years. Put 5000 miles on my vehicle annually. Changed oil at roughly that 5000 miles, whether that was 10 months or 16.
The car did get sporadic use every week or two. I keep my vehicle for >1.5 decades. Never saw an issue arise.
I know a ton of mechanical engineers in the auto industry. None saw an issue with that approach.
The car did get sporadic use every week or two. I keep my vehicle for >1.5 decades. Never saw an issue arise.
I know a ton of mechanical engineers in the auto industry. None saw an issue with that approach.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
And then some smart aleck will chime in and say there are no such things as motor oil weights, but there are different viscosities. Usually the same guy who says the "W" in 10W-30 doesn't stand for weight. Don't you hate guys like that?squirm wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:24 pmLol!!TheOscarGuy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:18 pmHalf the people think that is too soon, the other half, too early.
While we are at it we should ask people their favorite oil filter and watch this thread explode
Or ask what oil weight is best.
Semper Augustus
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
If a car burns lots of oil and one has to add new oil on a regular basis (and I hear this is more common nowadays with some newer "modern cars"), do you need to change the oil at all ?
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I'm the smart aleck who says that the "w" stands for winter, as in "multigrade oil is designed to be used in winter conditions to provide cold weather oil flow.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
You know, I'm not even sure it stands for winter, either. Maybe it does, but maybe not. It may be lore carried forward through the years. Yes, there are lots of web sites, even the consumer sites of some major oil manufacturers, that say the W stands for winter, and W for winter sounds good and kind of makes sense and all that. But I've never been able to find an authoritative etymology for that convention, and API makes no reference to winter that I can find. In their summary of their standards for assigning SAE viscosity grades, where such things are defined, it seems a W is just a W, a letter and nothing more, simply there to separate the cold viscosity rating from the hot viscosity rating. Things that make one go "hmmm..."
https://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Certi ... 010417.pdf
Semper Augustus
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I put less than 3000 miles on my vehicle per year, and I change the oil annually.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Just follow the owner's manual for your vehicle. It tells you these things. Usually once per year for modern oils.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
"I'd look at/smell the oil on the stick after 12 months."59Gibson wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 4:27 pm I'd look at/smell the oil on the stick after 12 months. Make sure it's not burning oil or burnt. I've gone 18 months and 8k+ on dino oil. No issues. DO Not rely on service/dealer maint depts tell you when to change. They'd have you in every month changing all fluids.
Sounds like a reasonable approach for cooking - not so much for engine lube oil.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Once per year or 5,000 miles, using synthetic oil, is just fine.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
In my opinion once per year or 7,500 miles, using fully synthetic oil (not a syn blend) is even better for the cars I'm familiar with.slickracer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 7:49 am Once per year or 5,000 miles, using synthetic oil, is just fine.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Anyone ever use a fullers earth filter on their vehicles? My father installed one on one of his cars. I remember it was in the 60ties.
It was about the size of a round, half-gallon jug.
Broken Man 1999
It was about the size of a round, half-gallon jug.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Is there is specific science behind the 1 year interval?
I understand the thought of condensation, but isn't the oil in an essentially closed system?
What's somewhat odd is that for a typical wakeboard boat, the manual says to change the oil BEFORE winter storage. Shouldn't that instead be done 1st thing upon opening up the boat for next summer season?
Not saying don't change it once per year? But is there any real evidence for this? From what I understand, unopened oil doesn't spoil.
I understand the thought of condensation, but isn't the oil in an essentially closed system?
What's somewhat odd is that for a typical wakeboard boat, the manual says to change the oil BEFORE winter storage. Shouldn't that instead be done 1st thing upon opening up the boat for next summer season?
Not saying don't change it once per year? But is there any real evidence for this? From what I understand, unopened oil doesn't spoil.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
It's best to change the oil before storing motors that are expected to sit idle for an extended period. This is typical for boats and garden equipment but also cars and aircraft that are temporarily removed from service. The old oil slowly builds acidic contaminants as a product of the combustion process, and if left in the motor during storage it may promote corrosion..IMO wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 3:24 pm Is there is specific science behind the 1 year interval?
I understand the thought of condensation, but isn't the oil in an essentially closed system?
What's somewhat odd is that for a typical wakeboard boat, the manual says to change the oil BEFORE winter storage. Shouldn't that instead be done 1st thing upon opening up the boat for next summer season?
Not saying don't change it once per year? But is there any real evidence for this? From what I understand, unopened oil doesn't spoil.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
2010 Toyota Tacomas are supposed to have the oil changed every 5,000 miles or 6 months, according to the manual. Given that I drive about a thousand miles a year, it seems silly to change it at the 6 month mark with only 500 miles on it. Toyota also recommends regular oil. I use synthetic because I feel guilty.Cheez-It Guy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:24 pm Just follow the owner's manual for your vehicle. It tells you these things. Usually once per year for modern oils.
I took it in for an oil change the other day. Due to COVID I stayed in the car while they did it. The guy triple checked the mileage and told me I wasn't due -- which is astonishing as those guys generally try to up-sell you everything. But it had been over a year so I went ahead with it.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Follow the manual, every 5k miles or 6 months. To be honest, 5k miles and one year would not concern me.
Modern API SN-Plus or SP oils are very good, and most conventional mineral oils are now semi-synthetic anyway to meet modern oil standards.
The oil version of Bogleheads is BobIsTheOilGuy, they live for this stuff
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/
Modern API SN-Plus or SP oils are very good, and most conventional mineral oils are now semi-synthetic anyway to meet modern oil standards.
The oil version of Bogleheads is BobIsTheOilGuy, they live for this stuff
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/
I studied Physics not Finance, so best to ignore anything I say about money.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Sounds like you already got your answer, I would have said the same.
Follow the manual (especially if your car is covered under a warranty).
FWIW, I somehow developed the habit of trying to synchronize my oil changes to the odometer rolling over at the 5000 mile intervals, regardless of time passing - but I've never had a car driven "low-mileage"
Follow the manual (especially if your car is covered under a warranty).
FWIW, I somehow developed the habit of trying to synchronize my oil changes to the odometer rolling over at the 5000 mile intervals, regardless of time passing - but I've never had a car driven "low-mileage"
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Follow manual. Engineers who wrote it know best.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
The manual should be followed during the warranty period to protect it. Otherwise, longer periods are acceptable according to most sources.
Tim
Tim
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
That is what I try to do, as well. We buy tires from a small chain and they also do oil changes, and light maintenance. Tire rotation and oil change at 5,000 miles.JoMoney wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:14 pm Sounds like you already got your answer, I would have said the same.
Follow the manual (especially if your car is covered under a warranty).
FWIW, I somehow developed the habit of trying to synchronize my oil changes to the odometer rolling over at the 5000 mile intervals, regardless of time passing - but I've never had a car driven "low-mileage"
Broken Man 1999
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Full synthetic oil and filter change every 10,000 to 12,000 miles.
Occasionally, I'll do an oil analysis (avail online) and it has shown that due to the quality of the oil I use (mobil 1 full synthetic+), and other factors, that I can easily go 15,000 miles on an oil change and things will be fine.
j
Occasionally, I'll do an oil analysis (avail online) and it has shown that due to the quality of the oil I use (mobil 1 full synthetic+), and other factors, that I can easily go 15,000 miles on an oil change and things will be fine.
j
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
An oil thread.
For that mileage and age of vehicle, I'd change annually. Use a good synthetic, Mobil 1 seems to be available at many Big Box (it appears), be sure to use a filter appropriate for synthetic as well, Mobil synth filters seem available at Big Box too.
For that mileage and age of vehicle, I'd change annually. Use a good synthetic, Mobil 1 seems to be available at many Big Box (it appears), be sure to use a filter appropriate for synthetic as well, Mobil synth filters seem available at Big Box too.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
For those that say follow the manual 1) some manuals give differing advice depending on climate, your driving is city/highway (which many people have both), if you live in a dusty area, etc. and 2) dealers obviously make money off services so I treat that with a grain of salt. I drive around 5k miles a year and use synthetic oil and change it once a year.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
My vote is once a year with synthetic oil. Mechanics and owner's manuals have different priorities and CYA.
But a quality synthetic oil can properly do its job on a 1 year, 4,000 mile interval easily. You could even make a case that it's probably excessive.
Changing the oil every 3 months and 1,000 miles an incredible waste of resources, a tech should be ashamed for pushing that.
But a quality synthetic oil can properly do its job on a 1 year, 4,000 mile interval easily. You could even make a case that it's probably excessive.
Changing the oil every 3 months and 1,000 miles an incredible waste of resources, a tech should be ashamed for pushing that.
Last edited by illumination on Sun Apr 04, 2021 11:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
It is a fair question and one that probably will not have a straight answer. I have often changed the oil once or twice a year (every six months). It is cheap and not. A big deal.
I typically follow the maintenance book with my vehicles.
Tony
I typically follow the maintenance book with my vehicles.
Tony
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
The manual for my 2018 Nissan Sentra says every 5000 miles or 6 months.
i'm not driving as much as I used to, so I've gone 6 months, roughly:
Mid 2019 ????
10/12/2019 15.6k miles
5/16/2020 19.7k miles
10/1/2020 21.9k miles
4/3/2021 24.7k miles
The car was first delivered in January 2018, I bought it used in January 2019. It looks like the powertrain warranty is good until 60 months, so I plan on continuing to go every 6 months until January 2023 at least.
i'm not driving as much as I used to, so I've gone 6 months, roughly:
Mid 2019 ????
10/12/2019 15.6k miles
5/16/2020 19.7k miles
10/1/2020 21.9k miles
4/3/2021 24.7k miles
The car was first delivered in January 2018, I bought it used in January 2019. It looks like the powertrain warranty is good until 60 months, so I plan on continuing to go every 6 months until January 2023 at least.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I first starting using synthetic oil around 1975. There were articles about synthetic (Mobil 1) being tested in Taxi's and Police vehicles. They ran the vehicles for a 100K miles. The oil was tested and was still good, so they put the used oil Back In the cars and continued to drive them and re-test. I remember the first Mobil 1 conservative recommendation was to change every 25K miles, stated on the bottle. Now as the years have gone by and synthetics are widely used it appears the mileage requirement keeps getting lower. Some saying 5K miles now. You would think with the advances in technology old dino oil would be good for at least 5k mile. Makes me wonder if the synthetic product is getting worse (not likely) or the profit motive is getting stronger to push the change levels lower.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Find a new mechanic! There will be 213 different opinions on this. If you cover 4000 miles a year and are worried about it, change it. Once a year is fine. I have many cars and none of them see a lot of miles except my daily driver which I change every 6-7000 miles. The others; every couple years including vintage and modern Porsches. Here's the deal; I'm not draining 13 quarts of oil out of my vintage 911 or nine out of my modern 911 every year. You have to form your own opinion as it relates to oil changes based on research and the owners manual. There has never been anything automotive more tested, refined, engineered, bragged about, and marketed as oil. Manufacturers brag it up as the greatest thing ever and then tell you to throw it away after a few thousand miles or a year!! Not me.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
It's not a ticking time bomb that goes off seconds after 6 months have elapsed. When mileage is very low, I go plus or minus 6 months from any recommendations, without a worry. Practically, most cars specify annual oil changes so 18 months and no miles is just fine with me. Synthetics like Mobile 1 with 15k+ miles rating, using up 3000 miles is basically no miles to me. Besides the car manual, read the oil and oil filter manual for their ratings as well. They play as significant a part.tj wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 11:48 am The manual for my 2018 Nissan Sentra says every 5000 miles or 6 months.
i'm not driving as much as I used to, so I've gone 6 months, roughly:
Mid 2019 ????
10/12/2019 15.6k miles
5/16/2020 19.7k miles
10/1/2020 21.9k miles
4/3/2021 24.7k miles
The car was first delivered in January 2018, I bought it used in January 2019. It looks like the powertrain warranty is good until 60 months, so I plan on continuing to go every 6 months until January 2023 at least.
Last edited by inbox788 on Sun Apr 04, 2021 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I drive 4k miles a year on average as well and change my oil every 6 months. There is absolutely no reason to change the oil every 3 months - total waste and it's actually negative - bad for the environment. If oil breaks down in 90 days then that is some pretty awful oil... in my view oil these days is good enough to even last a year without a change with no ill effect, i.e. it's not going to oxidize that much and break down, so 6 months for conventional or semi synth is PLENTY!
FWIW, I have sent full synth Mobil1 Racing 4T oil for analysis from my sportbikes when I had them, after a whole year without a change and they came back almost as good as brand new in terms of contaminants and oxidation - and that is after running it around 2K miles in the bike a lot of it at redline (15000 RPM) at the racetrack (A riding level most motorcyclists don't come close to subjecting their bike to!)
FWIW, I have sent full synth Mobil1 Racing 4T oil for analysis from my sportbikes when I had them, after a whole year without a change and they came back almost as good as brand new in terms of contaminants and oxidation - and that is after running it around 2K miles in the bike a lot of it at redline (15000 RPM) at the racetrack (A riding level most motorcyclists don't come close to subjecting their bike to!)
Last edited by stocknoob4111 on Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:25 pm, edited 7 times in total.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Modern cars have service indicators.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I think the more important thing is where its done! I highly recommend using the dealership, and avoiding places like Walmart or one of those drive through places. If your car doesn't have a sensor just do it every 4500miles or every 6 months.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I tend to buy new cars that include “free” maintenance for 4 years. Oil changes are covered as required by the service indicated in the on-board computer. This is mileage/usage determined or every 12 months if mileage is low. Good enough for me.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
What brands include free maintenance for 4 years?
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
The Ford Escape manual says to change oil when the oil life monitor says to change, which can be up to 12 months or 10,000 miles, depending on the exact conditions that vehicle is operating.researcher wrote: ↑Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:53 amIf the manual says to change the oil every six months, then you should change the oil every six months.
Agreed. Why would you change at 6 months if the oil life monitor says 65% oil life still remains at 6 months?researcher wrote: ↑Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:53 am So why would you follow some anonymous internet poster's suggestion instead of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule?
Last edited by criticalmass on Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
That definitely wasn't included when I bought my Honda Civic in 2011. I did like the Maintenance Minder though, it was much easier to manage when to take it in.criticalmass wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:09 pmA number of brands, including Honda include that for some models. But there isn't much maintenance needed during that time, except for a few oil changes.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I know someone who took that to heart, but also followed the FILTER manufacturer's recommendations. So he'd change the filter a couple times before changing the oil. I never did 25k miles but thinking about his practice, the filter could be full of junk if not changed before that 25k point.Ricola wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:31 pm I first starting using synthetic oil around 1975. There were articles about synthetic (Mobil 1) being tested in Taxi's and Police vehicles. They ran the vehicles for a 100K miles. The oil was tested and was still good, so they put the used oil Back In the cars and continued to drive them and re-test. I remember the first Mobil 1 conservative recommendation was to change every 25K miles, stated on the bottle. Now as the years have gone by and synthetics are widely used it appears the mileage requirement keeps getting lower. Some saying 5K miles now. You would think with the advances in technology old dino oil would be good for at least 5k mile. Makes me wonder if the synthetic product is getting worse (not likely) or the profit motive is getting stronger to push the change levels lower.
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Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
The way to know for sure is to send out a sample & have it tested, e.g. after 6 months or 1 year, at some place like:
https://www.blackstone-labs.com
I suspect anyone using synthetic oil & driving 12,000 miles or less annually will find their oil is still working just fine even after a year.
https://www.blackstone-labs.com
I suspect anyone using synthetic oil & driving 12,000 miles or less annually will find their oil is still working just fine even after a year.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
FWIW - I have done numerous samples with Blackstone and have learned only one thing....ncbill wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:52 am The way to know for sure is to send out a sample & have it tested, e.g. after 6 months or 1 year, at some place like:
https://www.blackstone-labs.com
I suspect anyone using synthetic oil & driving 12,000 miles or less annually will find their oil is still working just fine even after a year.
It costs almost the same to test the oil as it does to change the oil.
Of course your mileage may vary as I had never seen an abnormal 'wear' indication in any of the tests but I did see a TBN decreases that warranted a interval change.
Also note - these oils tests are only reasonably valuable if you follow sampling intsructions exactly and also supply the brand/type and age of the oil being tested.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
I make sure that I change the synthetic oil, and filter every 5000 miles, or once a year on a vehicle that doesn't get driven much. More importantly is to not let a motor sit untouched for months on end, take it it out for a drive to get everything warmed up, and the battery charged.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
We have 2 vehicles at our home in Arizona that weren’t touched for over a year due to Covid travel restrictions. They are connected to trickle chargers. Started right up when we arrived last month. No issues. I did oil changes on both and the service guy said one vehicle only had another 300 miles on it since the last oil change. He agreed that since it had been more than a year, it was wise to get one.
Re: Oil change interval for low-mileage vehicles
After only a year, with synthetic oil, driven less than 12k miles?smitcat wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:59 amFWIW - I have done numerous samples with Blackstone and have learned only one thing....ncbill wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:52 am The way to know for sure is to send out a sample & have it tested, e.g. after 6 months or 1 year, at some place like:
https://www.blackstone-labs.com
I suspect anyone using synthetic oil & driving 12,000 miles or less annually will find their oil is still working just fine even after a year.
It costs almost the same to test the oil as it does to change the oil.
Of course your mileage may vary as I had never seen an abnormal 'wear' indication in any of the tests but I did see a TBN decreases that warranted a interval change.
Also note - these oils tests are only reasonably valuable if you follow sampling intsructions exactly and also supply the brand/type and age of the oil being tested.