Technical Oil Change Frequency with Low Mileage

Hi All, it's been forever, been swamped and often gone with work for a long time with little free time however I just changed the oil in the 53' and looked at my log file and last time I changed it was August 2016 (exactly one year ago!) Since then I put only 228 miles on the car... pathetic huh? I can burn more miles on a half day visit to Los Angeles.

I was wondering, if a car with a SBC 350 is driven very little, is it best to change the oil every 6 months, or just once a year? The oil that came out looked pretty clean overall. Just thought maybe some others on here put low mileage on their cars too and have a rule of thumb.

On the upside I bought a house with a nice size garage so I will be able to keep it safe and drive it a bit more when my free time comes back.

 

at least once a year has been my rule.

 

Todays oil is pretty good, assuming the approx 300miles on it in a year, an assuming it was actually driven and not just done in trips to the local convenience store, I'd have no issue letting it stay in there.

Now if it was 5-10 minute jaunts for the past year, then yes, can it, as you never had the engine up and running at operating temp to burn/evap out the impurities from the combustion process.

Look at it this way, say two years ago I changed the oil in my car...parked it, never drove it.

Why would the oil need to be changed?

Hell, I'm sure many on this site drug an old car out of a field, saw it had oil in it, and got it fired up and never had an issue.

 

Its a good question and one I wonder myself. As a golden rule ( for me ) I just go over the car once a year usually at the start of the season. plugs, oil, check the brake adjustment and fluid, grease the front end, check bolts are tight. Usually the car has been parked all winter so its time to check everything out. To be honest the oil is the least of my priorities for this, I an more concerned with brakes and steering / tierod ends etc. the stuff that if it doesn't work could cost you more than you're willing to pay.

 

I drug an old car out of a field, it had been sitting for several decades...didn't change the oil. I did drain a little water out of the pan though. Got it running, had fun with it, sold it.

I would say once a year should be ok, longer if it's not a valuable engine.

 

I don't obsess about crankcase oil, though always get it to operating temperature before parking it. Best to get some highway speed on it if possible, it's more fun anyway. If not by mileage it gets changed somewhere between one and two years.

 

Thanks, unfortunately this car has only been driven in 20-25 minute spurts. My general rule has been, if I can hear the beeping noise from the transmission (I have an old post on this issue that hasn't gone away yet and only happens after driving for 15-20 minutes) the engine and trans are warm enough and I've driven it enough haha. I generally try to drive it for 20 minutes every 2-3 weeks. Somehow that has totalled 228 miles in the last year.

Pathetic.. however I will try to do more North County scenic coastal highway 101 drives later this year.

 

I use Mobil 1 syn in my hot rodded small block. So a few cruises here and there, maybe a couple thou miles a season. I change it once a year. Usually comes out just slightly darker than it went in....no issues. And im roller cammed, forged everything, 60 lbs oil press.......

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My daily driver I average 2000-2200 miles a year. Been changing the oil ( non synthetic ) once a year for the past 7 years with no problems.

 

I have a friend who has a Dodge Cummins that he only hauls to the race track in the summer (about 10 miles from home) and he goes about 300-400 mi. per year and 3-4 years between changes.

Uses Valvoline Super Blue... doesn't even get dark.

We discuss this often.

 

Yep....use oil testing like indo on the Powerstroke w Amsoil, or once a year.....or more.....[emoji41]

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Oil gets acidic after a few months.
If you don't drive it at all it won't get contaminated. If you drive it only short distances it's actually worse. It depends greatly on the tune.

I see this with motorcycles quite often. Folks will let the dirty oil set all winter long then change it in the spring. It's a whole lot better for the motorcycle to change the oil in the late fall and let it set with fresh oil. Then some folks let their bikes hibernate In the off season and others run them weekly. That usually causes problems.

Here's what I've seen. The hibernation with fresh oil increases the longevity and lower maintenance problems. But it usually takes a bit to wake them up. The weekly runners hit the road without any effort but they need heavy engine maintenance much earlier.

Your milage and experience may vary. Climate has a lot to do with this stuff.


Anyway, an oil change on a Chevy is pretty cheap and easy. Especially if you catch a sale and stock up.

 

I usually change my oil every 3000 to 4000 miles. I know, with modern oils, many will say it's overkill but I do it myself and it only costs less than $30. I just purchased a new car and asked when I was to bring it in for it's first service. I was shocked when the salesman said "see you in 10,000 miles". Sorry, I'm too old school, I'll bring it in at 5000.