Low, low mileage....change oil or not?

[JDgreen227]

My Y2K GMC has traveled 800 (!!!) miles since the last oil and filter change last October, my '04 Lesabre 3,000 during the same period and the oil life monitor registers 68% on the car. I always get both engines fully warmed up when the vehicles are driven and they are never subjected to stop/start operation. I use Shell 5W-30 in both and a K&N filter in the GMC and a Delco in the Buick...would it be foolish to change the oil and filter in either engine before winter given the low mileage since the last change? Thanks for your input.

 

[sixdogs]

That's somewhat of a difficult call and I would think the storage conditions would be a consideration. If in a warm or somewhat controlled storage situation where temperature fluctations were not all that severe, I'd probably let the oil stay a while longer, especially since no start and stop trips and you let the vehicle warm up. It's the short trips, incomplete warm up and temperature changes that I believe are the major problems. When you do change it there probably won't be all that many more miles anyway.

I use synthetic oil and in my case I would have no problem waiting longer. In fact, I change tractor oil maybe every 18 months or even longer becasue of my storage and use situation. Still not all that many hours but I am comfortable waiting.

On a different side of the discussion, you are running dino and so a good oil and filter change, done youself, is maybe $25?

 

[JDgreen227]

That's somewhat of a difficult call and I would think the storage conditions would be a consideration. If in a warm or somewhat controlled storage situation where temperature fluctations were not all that severe, I'd probably let the oil stay a while longer, especially since no start and stop trips and you let the vehicle warm up. It's the short trips, incomplete warm up and temperature changes that I believe are the major problems. When you do change it there probably won't be all that many more miles anyway.

I use synthetic oil and in my case I would have no problem waiting longer. In fact, I change tractor oil maybe every 18 months or even longer becasue of my storage and use situation. Still not all that many hours but I am comfortable waiting.

On a different side of the discussion, you are running dino and so a good oil and filter change, done youself, is maybe $25?

Winters here are severe and I am reluctant to run either vehicle thru a second winter without an oil change, both do get driven in cold temperatures. A filter and oil for the Buick is about $15, for the GMC $25. It's not the cost I am concerned about, but I have read that changing oil when the oil life monitor registers there is ample life left is simply wasteful. Both are parked in unheated garages.

 

[1fastbob]

My personal opinion is that if you warm them up fully I would not change the oil yet. Having the engine fully warm and driven gets the engine oil hot enough to evaporate water from condensation. I would mind the maint. minder.

 

[murphy1244]

Well if you have been advised to not change your oil then don't. I would not leave oil in for over a year but thats just me.

 

[Storm56]

Change the Buick, leave the GMC alone. I do not believe oil spoils like milk does and do not buy into the "change every 6 months or annually" no matter what. Don't get me wrong, I am big on taking care of and maintaining my equipment, but I use hours or miles more as my gauge than time. I have several pieces of equipment that do not see a lot of use and it may be 2 or even 3 years between oil changes, have yet to have a problem in over 30+ years of owning and maintaining everything from lawnmowers to dozers.

 

[dodge man]

I personally wouldn't go much over a year before oil changes, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if you went a little longer.

 

[sixdogs]

I'll add to my earlier post that you should consider running synthetic oil.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree with Dodge Man. Oil is cheap. Change it once a year.

Chris

 

[nybirdman]

Since I retired my truck only gets about 1500 miles a year,my car about 3,000.I change the oil once a year.I use syntheic oil and good filters.Doesn't cost that much and peace of mind.My wifes car's oil gets changed at 5,000 which is about 8 months.