Oil Change?

[Gwfl]

I've got about 2000 miles on the synthetic oil in my car but it's been about 14 months since it was changed. Should I bother to change it again or do I have more time before the next change?

Gary

[justjon]

Re: Oil Change?

Don't bother to change it unless your selling me the car and then never admit you let your car sit around for 14 months and only put 2000 miles on it. If you don't drive these cars the seals are drying out in the transmission and the shocks, let alone the tire flat spots and the gasoline coagulation in the lines and filter.

[bronzebird]

Re: Oil Change?

Gary:

I have to agree that you are abusing this car more by averaging less than 150 miles a month than if it was driven excessively.

Unless they are in museums, cars are meant to be driven!

If you are going to let it sit then change the fluids at least twice a year but that doesn't address the seals, belts, hoses, tires, etc.

Bronzebird

[islandtime]

Re: Oil Change?

I only put between 2K-3K on any of my cars in one year, and I change the oil every 6 months, faithfully. And before anyone fusses about not driving...I'm spreading the miles between 4 vehicles...haven't figured out how to drive more than one at a time!

[redbirdsal]

Re: Oil Change?

I've always believed that changing your oil on a regular basis is the best investment you can make in your vehicle.

I don't know if it's still available but check to see if your Ford or Lincoln Dealership is offering 4 oil changes for a total of $40 + tax. They use the correct oil and filter for your vehicle. I bought one special for each of my three FoMoCo cars. I sure can't do it myself for $10 a change!

[FUN X 3]

Re: Oil Change?

I get the oil changed in my car every 2,500 miles. It's been done 34 times so far.

[texasbird]

Re: Oil Change?

I also had an Independent Oil Change Service Center owner tell me to make 6 months the MAXIMUM length of time between changes, regardless of mileage. Still, even through winter months, I drive the bird at least once a week and for at least a 20 mile loop around the perimeter of town, or on a stretch of highway.

James

[Gwfl]

Re: Oil Change?

I understand the 3,000 mile or 6 month guideline for regular oil but what about for synthetic oil?

I don't believe the seals drying out are an issue for my use of the car, it has a total of 17,000 miles on it and it gets driven short distances maybe once a week or 2...it never sits for longer than that. If seals were an issue at this kind of use what about the cars out there with 4 to 5k on them???? Never heard complaints or concerns about them.

Gary

[V8 Cat]

Re: Oil Change?

What's the value of a synthetic if you cannot go further than 3000 miles between oil changes? I started using Mobil 1 synthetic in my cars in the early 1980s, and I could not even get it in Atlanta - had to drive to an oil jobber in Gainesville, Ga and buy it by the case. At the time I was driving about 60 miles round trip to work every day plus additional personal miles, and it seemed that I was always needing an oil change going with the 3000 mile limit. So with the synthetic I used a 5000 mile interval eventhough car manufacturers at the time were recommending 5000 to 7500 mile intervals with conventional oil. Two of the cars I was driving during this time were a Datsun 280ZX and a Toyota Supra. Never had any oil related problems including burning, leaking etc. Now since retirement it's a matter of time not mileage. It sure seems like a waste to change the oil (synthetic or conventional) in a car that has been less than a couple of thousand miles in 6 months; especially if it is garaged and in a moderate climate. I just saw an ad for Mobil 1 where there was virtually no wear on an engine that went 250,000 miles with 25,000 mile intervals for oil changes. I think we waste a ton of oil in the country because of a hyper-sensitivity to oil change intervals driven by marketing by businesses that profit from this. This is just a personal opinion so don't shoot the messenger.

[Gwfl]

Re: Oil Change?

I usually go 5 to 6k with synthetic but that would be over two years before an oil change...does it matter other than $$$?

Gary

[justjon]

Re: Oil Change?

Nobody complains about cars with 5 or 6 thousand miles on them because nobody is driving them. Try a cross country trip in one of those and bring your credit card.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Oil Change?

I usually go 5 to 6k with synthetic but that would be over two years before an oil change...does it matter other than $$$?
Gary

Gary,
You live if Florida and if your car is garaged you should not be worried about this. We have a 95 Lexus SC300 purchased new in 95 and always garaged. It was driven an average of 2000 miles per year until 2004 when it became a daily driver. It had Mobil 1 synthetic in it from the time it was new and went 18-24 months between oil changes during this period of time of low use. For the last 5 years it is our primary car and has gone on several long trips - never a problem (never leaked one drop of oil and never burned any either). I stand by my statement. We waste a lot of oil strictly because of marketing.

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: Oil Change?

Are you fellas using the "NEW" Ford filter that has the anti-drain valve in it?

[2Redbirds57/02]

Re: Oil Change?

I change the oil every 5,000 miles as recommended in the owner's manual. Have always used Motor craft synthetic oil and Motor craft filters. Takes 12 to 13 months to log 5,000 miles. Now have 47,000 miles on the bird and no problems so far.

[Ediron]

Re: Oil Change?

I knew a gentleman who was in WW2 vehicle maintenance .He told me they never would throw out oil.It would be filtered and strained out and reused.He said oil becomes contaminated with dirt but doesn't ware out.How true I don't know.