Oil change intervals when out of warranty and not driving?

Gotta believe your buddy never ever change his oil if his truck acquired sludge, or this is just bs. I've done oil changes that had more than 15k miles on it, and the oil did not look that bad. You use a decent oil like mobil 1 synthetic, you're not going to see sludge.

 

Watch those critters making nests and eating wires. I'm doing battle with a squirrel now and feel like I'm reliving Caddyshack and the gopher.

Score
Squirrel 4 / Matt - 0

 

Something not right here. There shouldn't be any pourable sludge in the motor with consistent 10k oil changes.

Your description on the how the timing work is way off too. The VVT system doesn't really do anything under 3k rpms. Plus, the truck would set a CEL if the VVT wasn't working properly. They are pretty sensitive on these trucks.

 

I own multiple vehicles that barely get driven. I change my oil, with good oil, when I've hit the mileage mark.

Results may vary. Do what you're comfortable with.

 

Air rifles work well for terminating squirrels.

 

I forgot to mention there was like 8 quarts that came out as well. It was overfilled.
I also separated the oil that came from the filter housing and the oil pan to make sure nothing was coming out of the dirty side of the filter. The oil from the pan is what I’m describing. Also he just had his HPFP replaced under warranty. I wonder if the fuel pump has anything to do with this.

 

It’s just a tiny bit, but definitely thicker than the rest. It wouldn’t drain into the hole of the oil catch pan. Also smelt like burnt fossil fuel and the oil was black.

 

I drove 100 miles in January, and 34 miles in February. Definitely not as low as the OP, but I may be close. I got my truck end of June 2022 and currently have 4700 miles on it. The usage definitely plummeted for me. I’m guessing i’ll be at 6,000 miles by my 1 year anniversary.

 

So I take it this guy never changed his oil, but kept adding more?

 

No he has taken his truck to dealer and they did their dealer maintenance on it.

 

We have two toy cars that get driven maybe 2k/year in the summer. Run non ethanol gas & Mobil 1 in both. The oil is changed just before they are put away for the winter. Have been doing this for years. works well for me.

 

I'm in the same boat; went from regular commuting ~500 miles a week; down to 50 mid-RONA, now going in maybe once a week...

I KISS; Oil & Filter change (+ the other stuff in the book) about every 6 months... specifically targeted for nice weather. That used to be around 9k, now its around 4k

 

fluids and tires break down from use and age, I forget how old tires can safely get, I drive too much to bother remembering (40k a year)...but yeah, oil if synthetic even sitting unused for 6 months or used lightly then no more than 6months BEFORE driving. some say annually, depends on the quality, take your pick, annual probably be fine if not used at all though.

conventional oil, I don't use that garbage even in my push mower

but why have a vehicle you're paying insurance, registration, inspection, maintenance on that you don't even need or use? this isn't a classic or anything...rent a truck from uhaul for the one time a year you need one...just my opinion

 

Me thinks his dealer hosed him.

 

5K miles, 5W30 Valvoline EP, and a OEM Filter for the life of the truck.

 

My house hold has 3 drivers and 4 vehicles, lawn mower, atv and a sxs. I change oil every 6 months on the vehicles, yearly on the mower and atv. The sxs I do depending on how much water we end up blasting thru but usually 2-3 times a year.

yes oil and folters cost more today than 20 years ago but its still the least expensive maintenance bit that helps!

 

I have four cars that aren't driven a lot, ( less than 3,000/year) including my Tacoma. I change my oil once per year and have done this for ages without any problems

 

I’m agreeing. I have never smelt oil this bad on a truck with only 70k miles on it. It would’ve had 17k on the oil then if that’s the case. And honestly it looked like it.

 

I go 4k and change. If your not driving it, still do around there... Oil is the lifeblodd. Do not cheap out.