Opinions on oil change frequency

Here's my situation: 98 SL2 (62K miles) living in central NY. I only
drive it a few times a month, usually for about 5 miles each way (half of
them on highway, half on surface streets). So, maybe up to 100 miles/mo.

Before, in San Diego (when I drove 1K/month), I was changing with Mobil 1
synthetic every 3 months. Minimal oil consumption. Any opinions on
whether I can safely decrease my oil changing frequency given my new
circumstances?

 

On a car that is only occasionally driven, there is more a problem with
moisture accumulating. I have an old VW that is similarly driven and I use
mineral oil rather than the synthetic and change it every 6 months
regardless.

Not sure what you can get away with using the synthetic oils.

Boy, what a climate change moving from sunny SoCa to Central NY.

Oppie
20 mi North of NYC

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....think I'd take it in (or change your own) every 3 months since the rule
I'm familiar with is 3 months or 3000 miles (which ever comes first). I
don't know if synth can handle the acids, etc that form from low usage any
better than dino oil - maybe someone else can comment.

San Diego is freezing at the moment - 60 degrees and some clouds too. I
might have to stay home from work tomorrow because of the severe weather
conditions... (smile) On the flipside - the news said California is due
for a big quake in September (should be interesting).

 

Or the other way around...

Orange County, NY -> Biloxi, MS -> San Antonio, TX

 

the BIG quake?....lol
just like the spaceman of OB?
if you have been there awhile jonnie you know what i am talkin
about....lol
on my truck i have i go 4 months or 3000 miles BUT in my wifes saturn
she goes 3 months or 3000miles.
BOY do i miss them really cold days of san diego with the freezin temps
in the 60s.
think here tonight in NC we are going to have a heat wave for a over
night low of 28 degrees....lol

 

Dyno oil, 98 SL2, 127,000 miles. Change every 5,000 miles with new
filter. Usually run cars from 200,000 to 250,000. Started driving in
'64. NEVER had an engine problem.

Do you think the 3,000 mile rule is pushed by oil co's to sell more
oil?

2001 Jetta VW. Recommended oil change by manufacturer is 10,000 with
new filter. We use syn and change about every 8,500 miles. Over
65,000 miles, no problems.

 

I do the same (5,000mi w/ filter change). I used to do 3,000mi w/ filter
change but, the more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. As
long as you check your oil level across the 5,000mi, I think it's fine. I
think my wife's Toyota Sienna says 7,000mi between changes. I think Saturn
may recommend the same (I don't think the manual says 3,000 but I'd have to
look again to be sure). I don't know if the oil companies are the ones who
started the 3,000mi rule but it is certainly one that sticks in everyone's
head and there are people who do it religiously.

Enjoy!

Brad

 

Absolutely! Check out this site --> http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/.
What he said makes a lot of sense.

 

I think it was started by people who make a living by changing that damp oil...

 

My opinion is that if your vehicle falls into the "severe service" category
(short trips, extreme hot or cold temps, long periods of idling, frequent
stop and go or dusty conditions) you should change your oil at the 3K
intervals. It's cheap insurance and less likely to leak.

 

You'd be hard pressed to find a vehicle that does not fall into the "severe
service" category.

 

Yup its all a conspiracy by the evil oil companies...

If you've never done engine rebuilds then you of course you dont see
what lack of oil changes will do to an engine.