Oil change interval for low mileage use

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by KirkM, Sep 4, 2010.

  1. KirkM

    KirkM Guest

    I lost my job a few weeks ago, so now my daily driver sits most of the
    time. Is there any need to maintain the same change interval?

    In one of the owner's manuals, is says that the oil should be changed
    at least every six months, even if the mileage does not require it.

    I do try to see that it gets driven at least once a week to get it up
    to operating tempurature.

    Opinions welcome.

    Thanks,

    Kirk Matheson
     
    KirkM, Sep 4, 2010
    #1
  2. KirkM

    Josh S Guest

    I agree with the manual.
    I've changed my oil every 6 months ever since I've owned a good car.
    No engine trouble here,
    I keep most cars for 10 years and about 90k miles.
     
    Josh S, Sep 27, 2010
    #2
  3. I would change my oil according to the hand book
     
    Airport Shuttle, Sep 27, 2010
    #3
  4. KirkM

    sctvguy1 Guest

    On my 1991 New Yorker, which is only used to go to the doctor and on
    weekends, I change the regular 10W-30 every 3K/3months. On my wife's 2010
    Avenger, using Mobil1, we go 6months oil/filter. Her car gets everyday
    usage, mine doesn't. I don't change my own oil anymore, so if I changed the
    Mobil1 every 3K, it would be very expensive.
    Her car run great,the oil is clean(combination city/hwy driving everyday to
    work).
    My 1941 Windsor leaks oil slowly, so I just keep adding new 30W when the
    level get low, and change it out every six months(only goes to car shows and
    Sunday drives).
     
    sctvguy1, Sep 27, 2010
    #4
  5. KirkM

    MoPar Man Guest

    I bring my '00 300m to a local Chrysler dealer's oil-change bay where I
    wait for them to change the oil and oil filter.

    (While I'm waiting, I'll go into the show room and tell a sales guy that
    I would buy a Challenger if they came in front-wheel-drive, and I'll
    also bitch about Chrysler going down-hill when they were acquired by
    Daimler causing them to drop their plans to build the 300N which was
    shown at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show and which I would have bought had
    they made it, but instead I'm still driving my 11-year-old 300m because
    Chrysler doesn't make a proper near-luxury performance sedan).

    They generally will check the tire air pressure, lube the door hinges
    and refill the windshield washer tank as part of the package. I guess
    it costs me $35 for all this. They'll run the car through their car
    wash too before they hand me the keys. I'm probably there for 1/2 hour,
    depending on how busy it is (they can do 2 cars at the same time).

    They always change the small window sticker they put in the upper corner
    of the windshield showing the next date or milage for the next oil
    change. I think the change interval is 5k km's (about 3k miles) or 3
    months. I usually follow the milage number, which ends up being 2 or 3
    months later then the date on the sticker. So my 11-year-old 300m gets
    about 2 oil changes a year. It's got about 95k miles on it. I think
    during the last couple of years it's getting the best fuel economy that
    it's ever had in it's life - usually about 28 mpg on the highway (70
    mph) and sometimes 31 mpg. I changed the plugs at around 75k miles.

    My 2001 Dodge Ram (5.2L) has about 25k miles on it, and it gets 1 oil
    change per year (on average, but it's not exactly on a regular basis).
    Both the truck and 300m are kept in my garage when not being driven
    (definately both are in the garage over-night every night of the year)
    so I'm not worried about water condensing in the oil making it acidic or
    anything like that.
     
    MoPar Man, Sep 28, 2010
    #5
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