Engine oil life
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 163
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Engine oil life I have an 04 2wd truck with a cam/tc/4.10 5.3 that doesn't get driven often. When it does i am not "easy" on it but i wouldn't say that i beat it either. Usually hauling a trailer or dirtbikes, etc.
Anyways i use a semi syn 5w30. Always used the same stuff and at some point the conventional became semi syn.
I changed the oil 4-5 months ago but only clocked about 400 miles.
Is changing the oil overkill at this point? I dont mind changing it but this is a pretty typical scenario for me Thoughts?
Anyways i use a semi syn 5w30. Always used the same stuff and at some point the conventional became semi syn.
I changed the oil 4-5 months ago but only clocked about 400 miles.
Is changing the oil overkill at this point? I dont mind changing it but this is a pretty typical scenario for me Thoughts?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,298
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
At 100 miles/month, it would take you 5 years to do a 6k mile change interval. Better to base it on time, like every 6 or 12 months.
When you do drive it, how many miles per trip? More importantly, is it fully warmed up EVERY TIME? That is important.
Also, next change, go full synthetic. It is far better than partial synthetic. It degrades far slower.
When you do drive it, how many miles per trip? More importantly, is it fully warmed up EVERY TIME? That is important.
Also, next change, go full synthetic. It is far better than partial synthetic. It degrades far slower.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
At 100 miles/month, it would take you 5 years to do a 6k mile change interval. Better to base it on time, like every 6 or 12 months.
When you do drive it, how many miles per trip? More importantly, is it fully warmed up EVERY TIME? That is important.
Also, next change, go full synthetic. It is far better than partial synthetic. It degrades far slower.
When you do drive it, how many miles per trip? More importantly, is it fully warmed up EVERY TIME? That is important.
Also, next change, go full synthetic. It is far better than partial synthetic. It degrades far slower.
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
I have a truck i drive about 1500 miles a year. I change the oil once a year. Engine looks brand new inside when i replaced the oil pan a year ago. It is a 5.3 with 100000 miles in a 92 silverado since 2011.
If you don't drive it much, changing the oil once a year is just fine. Changing it more often doesn't do anything except make your wallet lighter and waste your time. There is no performance or longevity to be gained. You're not working that engine as hard as you think you are.
Synthetics and blends only have two real advantages:
1. They handle heat better: Turbos, high rpm's
2. Extended drain intervals: up to 10K miles.
You don't need either one. Switching to a synthetic blend will do nothing except make your wallet even lighter.
Use whatever 5W-30 API certified oil you find on sale. They are all the same, and will protect your engine just fine. If you're not sure, do a UOA.
Synthetics and blends only have two real advantages:
1. They handle heat better: Turbos, high rpm's
2. Extended drain intervals: up to 10K miles.
You don't need either one. Switching to a synthetic blend will do nothing except make your wallet even lighter.
Use whatever 5W-30 API certified oil you find on sale. They are all the same, and will protect your engine just fine. If you're not sure, do a UOA.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 178
This is against the grain on many recommendations. Short drives contaminate oil with fuel. Syn, blend or conv will all get contaminated. Only way to get contamination out is, change the oil. (not a fan of 10K to 20K extended intervals for this reason) Inspect oil at 2K miles that's driven 5 miles a trip (400 cold starts) compared to 5K miles running combination city/highway (100 cold starts) and see the difference. Short trip oil will appear dark and smell bad due to high # of cold starts. If not driven often but typically >50 miles when driven, the oil (and filter) will look almost new. Even after 2-3K miles. Unless you're in a high condensation area and the PCV system is NOT working good, the inside of the motor will typically look just fine. So... using some logic, keep an eye on oil condition, underside of oil cap and decide what makes sense on oil and filter change interval. Oil may be ~2 years old and no concerns.
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I read a post on BITOG where a guy went over 5 years on a low mileage oil change and did oil analysis and the oil came back fine. Low mileage once a year changes are fine.
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Run whatever oil you want. Run the mileage by the type of oil you choose. And change it at least once a year and you should be okay.
Every car is different and goes through oil differently. Piston ring sealing or lack of has an effect. Tuned properly has an effect. Long ish trips or short trips makes a difference. There isn't a one answer for all here.
In my cars I beat the dog **** out of I run conventional and change it around 2k miles. On other stuff I run synthetic 5-8k depending on how that exact engine affects the oil. I've had engines have clean oil after 5-6k. My current one ***** in the oil around 4-5k so I change it a bit sooner. The wife's terd 4 cylinder little cruiser gets synthetic and changed at 6k or higher depending on if the oil is getting black, or low or whatever.
There's also times I look at how low the oil is, my current truck eats oil, so sometimes when it comes time to add, I just change it. Why spend half the money adding oil to old oil... is the thought process.
Every car is different and goes through oil differently. Piston ring sealing or lack of has an effect. Tuned properly has an effect. Long ish trips or short trips makes a difference. There isn't a one answer for all here.
In my cars I beat the dog **** out of I run conventional and change it around 2k miles. On other stuff I run synthetic 5-8k depending on how that exact engine affects the oil. I've had engines have clean oil after 5-6k. My current one ***** in the oil around 4-5k so I change it a bit sooner. The wife's terd 4 cylinder little cruiser gets synthetic and changed at 6k or higher depending on if the oil is getting black, or low or whatever.
There's also times I look at how low the oil is, my current truck eats oil, so sometimes when it comes time to add, I just change it. Why spend half the money adding oil to old oil... is the thought process.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,643
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
All great posts above. A vast amount of UOA data over the years has really shattered the idea of a universal, fixed oil change interval. Many factors involved and every application will be different, but it doesn't sound to me like the OP needs to be changing oil every 400 miles/4-5 months under the stated conditions.