Oil Change Interval

[BillyL]

I change the oil in my daily driven vehicles every 3,000 miles, so no issue there. But my baby bird is not a daily driver, more typically bi-weekly locally driven. So my question for the forum. If the car is not driven over 3,000 miles in a year, should the oil be changed on a time interval instead of the traditional mileage base? I am thinking yes and will change the oil and oil filter at twelve months regardless of the miles driven. But I would value your thoughts. I know a lot of our birds get stored during the winter months and get fewer annual miles on them.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Change at least yearly. Peace of mind for under $50. I noticed that Ford put a window sticker calling for an oil change at 103K. The car had 98K when I brought her in. That would make it a 5,000 interval...go figure

[BirdsAndBugs]

I change the oil on my Thunderbirds at 5,000 miles per the owners manual. Sometimes that is 2-3 years between changes. So far no problems or issues in the 15 years of ownership.

[Quickdraw]

I think the only people that recommend 3,000 oil changes are owners of Jiffy-Lube type businesses. Today Ford recommends 5,000 miles oil changes.

[AZTB]

Is there also a caveat included in the instructions to the 5,000 mile recommendation? In other words, something like 5000 miles or 12 months?

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

I change mine at 5,000 miles and forget about the time. No problems and oil is always clean when it comes out.

[Gobird]

I've done mine every 3,000 miles from new. Use to do it myself but after retirement I just have the dealer do it. Car now has 138,000+ miles on it and still running like new.

[hippy_mailman]

all above good points! one factor could be condition of engine,it could effect gasses and impurities to get into the oil. most likely not happening but to be sure if oil was analyzed @5,000 miles and proven to not have broke down then all is good.synthetic cant hurt either.

[007Cruiser]

Good to know. When I get to 5K I will have it changed.

[Howlandd]

Mobil has come out with a "once a year" oil. Full synthetic oils, Mobil 1, are already being recommended for 5k mile changes. Personally I have never seen a "shelf life" posted on an oil can label. Have any of you?All I use is full synthetic Mobil 1.

[CVCashmere]

Ford synthetic for 5,000 miles @ dealer.

Works for me.

CVCashmere

[428PI]

I used to be every 3k miles but now I'm driving more miles at one time and with better vehicles (not the old carburater kind). I now go 5 k miles without worries and that's with semi synthetic oil. Now, if you continually go 1-2 miles at one time I would change at 3k. When I start up I'm going at least 14 miles one way.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Keith living in Peabody I can readily see the 14 miles..

[jerrym3]

My local dealer recommended every 12 months, but I don't drive too much anymore.

His recommendation was based more on the filter gasket failing.

In the good old days, I used to go with the "every 3,000 miles" rule, but no more.

My last antifreeze change, he said I'm good for 100,000 miles or 10 years, so, I needn't be concerned. (Was he referring to miles or years? Hmm.).

[AZTB]

My local dealer recommended every 12 months, but I don't drive too much anymore...His recommendation was based more on the filter gasket failing....

Thanks Jerry...that answers my question posed in post #5.