Oil Change

[ray]

Hi all

I am due for an oil change in about 2,500 miles (I change it every 5,000 miles or so), but I haven't been driving my car as much as I used to now that I am back in school.

Because I am not driving as much, I won't be reaching the next 2,500 miles for at least a year. Is it bad for my car if the oil isn't changed before then?

-Ray

[OneKidOneDogMom]

I'm not a mechanic, but I have always gone by the rule of 3000 miles or 3 months. Maybe that's just brainwashing from the auto industry, but it does seem to make sense that the oil will break down and you probably do need to change it occasionally even if you aren't putting the miles on the car.

I'm curious to know what any "motorheads" that are here think...

Also, you might want to venture over to Craigslist Auto Forum and ask there - I've had really good luck with the people in there giving good auto advice.

[Daedalus]

Get expert advice here:
www.bobistheoilguy.com

Age does matter. Also, repeated short drives are bad because they're too short to get the oil hot enough to boil out condensed and absorbed moisture.

[mechmike0034]

Get expert advice here:
www.bobistheoilguy.com

Age does matter. Also, repeated short drives are bad because they're too short to get the oil hot enough to boil out condensed and absorbed moisture.

:stupid:

Also, what does your owner's manual say? It should list a time or mileage.

[mechmike0034]

I'm not a mechanic, but I have always gone by the rule of 3000 miles or 3 months. Maybe that's just brainwashing from the auto industry, but it does seem to make sense that the oil will break down and you probably do need to change it occasionally even if you aren't putting the miles on the car.

I'm curious to know what any "motorheads" that are here think...

Also, you might want to venture over to Craigslist Auto Forum and ask there - I've had really good luck with the people in there giving good auto advice.

I am a mechanic. I've got almost twenty-five years of experience in automotive service starting as a technician and progressing over the years into technical trainer, training curriculum developer / technical writer, and service training project manager.

3/3000 is a waste any more. 6 months/7500 miles or more seems to be the manufacturer's norm. Oil has changed dramatically in the last thirty years, as have engines and assembly tolerances.

All my four-wheeled vehicles are GM and I swear by the GM oil life monitor system, 5w30 Mobil 1, and ACDelco filters. I have spoken personally with the GM engineer that did the oil life monitor algorithm - this raised my level of trust with it immensely. There's a vehicle in my driveway right now with 110K miles on it that I purchased brand new and maintained according to this formula and it uses virtually no oil between changes. Performance is excellent as well.

The CL AutoFo is full of trolls - use caution. I'm glad you've had good luck with it, but here lately the troll-fu is strong over there. I spend a fair amount of time on the CL Auto ad Computer forums.

[OneKidOneDogMom]

The CL AutoFo is full of trolls - use caution. I'm glad you've had good luck with it, but here lately the troll-fu is strong over there. I spend a fair amount of time on the CL Auto ad Computer forums.

I should have specified that I've used the CL Auto Forum mostly for cosmetic repairs advice (replacing side mirrors, fixing taillights) - stuff that Mom didn't teach me about and that I'm smart enough to know I CAN fix and save a bundle over the dealership/aftermarket repair cost.

Going into the CL Forums is always a crap shoot - if the trolls are out, poster beware!

I have a 97 GMC Jimmy with 135K miles on it - we bought it new and I have been very pleased with the performance. I have kept up with the maintenance and hope that I can get a few more miles out of it before anything major goes (working on fixing the catalitic converter now....sigh....)

[DarkFury]

I'm not a mechanic, but I have always gone by the rule of 3000 miles or 3 months. Maybe that's just brainwashing from the auto industry, but it does seem to make sense that the oil will break down and you probably do need to change it occasionally even if you aren't putting the miles on the car.
More or less, you are the model customer of the Automotive Industry.

They LOVE folks like yourself.


Personally, my feelings on this topic is... if you are one of those folks who use a cheap conventional oil, then yes... observe the 3/3000 rule. However, if you are willing to spend a bit more for better synthetic oils (my personal favorite being AMSOIL right now) then you can extend your drain period.

Right now, my AMSOIL guarantees me a 1 year 25,000 mile drain period. Personally, I don't recommend going 25,000 miles between drains, however I do feel more comfortable within the 10,000 miles I do drive per year in going one year between changes.

I use AMSOIL in both my 2004 Dodge Ram and my 2006 Chrysler 300C without any problems so far. I also used it in my 1996 Furd Thunderbird and it still runs like top now that I have transferred its ownership to my nephew (the engine on it is as clean as a whistle. :D )

To me, the automotive industry is in the business to "provide oil change service and sell oil" to you as a customer. Giving them more money every 3/3000 just feeds the beast. I sure wish that they would look at European standards as far as their concept of how long you should go between oil changes.

[Houdini]

As I understand it, many modern synthetics actually lubricate better as they get slightly older and break down. Of course, this is a limited process, but it is one of the advantages of using modern synthetic. Which reminds me, I need to change my oil. I have had a box of oil and a replacement filter for the past month or so, but I keep forgetting to do it. I still have a few thousand miles on my oil service monitor, but I tend to change it roughly twice as often as it specifies. :shrug:

[Kevster]

Mrs. Kevster made the mistake of buying a Saturn SC2 before we were married. That little engine consumes 1 Quart or oil every 1000 mikes or so. This is not an uncommon thing about Saturns, apparently, as every owner of the SCx line I have met has had the same damn problem with oil consumption. Of course Saturn knows about the problem, but they have chosen to ignore the flaw in the oil rings and just tell everyone to either overhaul the engine or go buy a new one (that's what the morons at dealership told Mrs. Kevster).

As it stands, I am now driving this POS, and I just put a good ACDelco filter on it and keep feeding it 5W30 oil until 10-12k miles and then I change the filter. I have considered switching to 10W30 as I'm in California and it doesn't make much difference.

As much as I hate it, it still runs well at 34-35mpg with 90k miles on it, so I'll just keep it up until I drive it into the ground.

[uncledaddy]

If ya want some real advise, take it from a pro.
I change my oil every 40,000 miles whether it needs it or not.

J/K !
One of my customers bought an E350 with the Triton 8 and froze the engine at 40,000, (never changed oil). I replaced his original engine before he did his first oil change. He did laugh with us about it.

I agree with mechmike. And with 20 years experience in the independent side of the repair industry I can say we loved all of you who followed the 3/3,000.

DF has a point as well, however I must admit that one of my vehicles is a 1987 Nissan Heavy Duty Pickup with the 3.0L; it has 260,000 miles and it has never had a drop of synthetic. Doesn't burn a bit of oil and just passed it's biannual smog, (Major knock on wood). :D

[OneKidOneDogMom]

Okay, I bow to all of you with real-world auto experience. I don't know a whole lot about cars and I guess I bought into the brainwashing that the auto industry does about the 3 month/3000 mile oil change...

So, given that I have a SUV (97 GMC Jimmy) with 135K on it - should I just keep babying it as I have and hope for the best? Or should I change my habits and do something different?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I don't have the money to go out and buy a new car anytime soon (seriously knocking on wood in this household daily!)

[DarkFury]

Well, if you should want to give AMSOIL a try... I'd recommend the following:

First, I'd use the engine flush to remove all the gunk that might be still in your engine:
https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/aef.aspx

Next, I'd fill the engine with the 5W-30 basic synthetic (the one that goes 1 year/25,000 miles between changes)
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/asl.aspx

More or less, since you don't live in a really cold climate (your profile says San Diego) I don't think you need the premium 0W30 synthetic that is guaranteed for 35,000 miles or 1 year, but it is also an option. I run this particular oil in my truck but it gets really cold here and the lower first number helps it to flow easier in the winter.
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/sso.aspx

If you should desire to do the extended drains, then I must advise that a very good oil filter is recommended and since AMSOIL guarantees theirs for 1 year/25K miles, then it compliments the longevity of the oil (EAO23 AMSOIL Ea Oil Filter).
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/detail.aspx?ID=6910

1997 GMC TRUCKS SSERIES JIMMY 4.3L 6-cyl Engine Code W

FILTERS
Oil Filter......... EAO23 AMSOIL Ea Oil Filter
Oil Filter......... 51036 WIX 51036 Oil Filter (O)
Air Filter......... EAA04 AMSOIL Ea Air Filter
Air Filter......... 46117 WIX 46117 Air Filter
Fuel Filter....... 33579 WIX 33579 Fuel Filter
Trans Filter..... 58904 WIX 58904 Trans Filter (S)

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS
Engine Oil
Grade 1......API*
SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Signature Series Oil
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil
SAE 5W-30 XL Synthetic Motor Oil
Above 0°F......10W-30[1]

[Napoleon54]

I used to have a '92 Buick Century and never had to change the oil in it, just a new filter every once in a while. It leaked so much that I'd put a quart in every time I got gas. It was in a continuous process of changing itself. :heh:

My current vehicle's a '93 Cherokee with 160k on it. It looses only a tiny bit between changes, maybe half a quart. I used to keep track of the mileage and change it every 3k, but now I just change it when it gets dark and funky looking, which is probably still around 3k. I've had it for 4 years and have put the last 90k on it. Runs like a top.

[Jeffbx]

Mrs. Kevster made the mistake of buying a Saturn SC2 before we were married. That little engine consumes 1 Quart or oil every 1000 mikes or so. This is not an uncommon thing about Saturns, apparently, as every owner of the SCx line I have met has had the same damn problem with oil consumption. Of course Saturn knows about the problem, but they have chosen to ignore the flaw in the oil rings and just tell everyone to either overhaul the engine or go buy a new one (that's what the morons at dealership told Mrs. Kevster).

It's not just the SCs - I had a '98 SL that did the same dang thing. They rebuilt the entire engine for me at about 45k miles (thank GOD I got the extended warranty!). I dumped it not long after that.

Things are night & day now at Saturn - I'm driving an '07 Aura XR, and it has a slick little counter that gives you the remaining % of oil life (you know, starts at 100% when you get your oil changed & then counts down to zero, when you're due for the next change). My first change wasn't until I had over 7k miles on it. It also calculates based on your driving habits, etc, so I'm going to rely on that rather than the antiquated 3mo/3k rule.