Oil Change by miles or months?

Since I tend to put low miles on my truck I am always torn on which to stick to. At the moment I am at about 6 months since last change, however I have put a whopping 2300 miles on the truck in that time with Mobil One full synthetic and Mobile One filter.

 

If I didn't put enough miles on in a year, I'd change it. Otherwise, I'd stick to 5k mile intervals. That's just my opinion, I'm not a mechanic, that's just what I'd do.

 

I am sure you will get all kinds of opinions but if it was me, I would stick with the 5000 mile change or annual if you dont get to that milestone.

 

I was just wondering about this today. My family's extra vehicle is an old Wrangler. It gets very low miles put on it (Mostly cause of the rough-ass ride, go figure). But it makes me feel weird knowing that the oil in it is over 9 months old, especially in an 18-year old vehicle. It leaks some oil, and since its low I figure I'll go ahead and change it instead of just adding some.

 

Yeah I was leaning towards waiting till the 5K mark. I hate the idea that I would possibly be draining perfectly good and expensive synthetic oil.

 

I put low Km's on my truck, I change once in the spring and once in the fall. I also use oil stabilizer. Even if I am draining "good" oil, I am also protecting my investment and it's still cheaper than if I drove it regularly. Just my 2 cents

 

I believe in my manual it states every 6 months or 5k miles; which ever comes first.

I have Toyota care for the next two years. Free oil changes for me, so I will be going every 6 months. I will be lucky to put 4K on mine in a year.

 

It depends on the car. If the oil looks clean at 5k, I might push it another few thousand miles. I think I had almost 10k (99% hwy miles) on my Mazda 3 before I changed it....and it still looked new. I'll probably change my oil in the Tacoma around 5k, maybe more if it looks especially clean at that time.

I've read that newer cars can probably go much longer between oil changes than what most recommendations state. I say look at the oil and keep in mind your driving style. If everything "seems" good, then give it another 2-3k miles.

 

I go by 5k interval unless I don't make the 5k but I know I rode hard ... I will still change it just cause of the possible engine strain..

 

I'd wait a year with synthetic.

 

My 03 Camry with 25K on it was changed once a year until my daughter started driving it 4 months ago. It was doing fine. You will be good with synthetic and once a year or 5K whichever comes first.

 

I agree.

Also, I drive 10k miles per year so the 5k miles or 6 months requirement works just right. I use regular petroleum motor oil 5w30, whatever meets the specs and is on sale... NAPA, Castrol, Chevron, Peak, etc. If my mileage were different, I'd still follow the "5k/6mos whichever comes first" requirement.

 

^^^This. I'd wait 6 months for dino but wait a full year with synthetic.

 

With 12 AC , the oil changes are free, and I only had 4500 miles in 6 months. My 12month oil change was at 8400 miles . I have sent oil samples to Blackstone labs and the results are getting better.If we had not taken some trips, I still would not have gotten over 5000.
I will still keep the 6 month interval after the free oil changes are done. The price is not that much, the oil is 6 dollars a qt. at the dealer and the filters are only 4 bucks. I find it to be a good investment.

 

Did my 1yr/10K service today at the dealer with 7300 on the clock. I was one week past the 1 year mark of ownership.

If I was paying I definitely would have stretched it to closer to 10K.

 

IMHO 6mo or 5k.
I run 0w20 in my DD 2010xb and change it out every 5k or 75days...golden brown but I rather not take chances. I put about 3500 miles every 6mo on my Taco still service it at the time interval...

 

Exactly what I would do.

I put approx. 8K miles per year on my truck. I write the date I changed oil & filter on the oil filter with a silver sharpie.

 

You cannot judge the oil by how it " looks ". Oil gets dark due to it performing the job it was designed to do: Suspend contaminates and combustion by products. Just because it is dark doesn't mean much.

That being said I would go by the 5K or 6 months whichever is first.