Car maintenance...

Willow

Just wondering what most people are doing who now work from home. Do you follow your MID or do you go in every xxxx kms/miles for your oil changes. Those who don't do it themselves. I ask because I received an email from the dealership saying it's time for your oil change but I still have 50% on my maintenance minder.

Milito

I wait on the miles since I use synthetic oil as almost all cars do today.

BlueFox

So far I ignore the maintenance emails. Being retired, and the quarantine, I doubt if I put 5K miles on the car this last year.

motorhead43026

I change oil @ 6-7k regardless of what the maintenance minder says when using full synthetic. I change oil twice a year, late spring and fall.

Jstas

Most cars do not use synthetic oils. Unless you put it in, that is. Some come with synthetic blends from the factory but they are not required unless you're working something like a Ferrari. So if you use synthetics then your car uses synthetics despite what it came with from the factory. If you use dino oil then your car uses non-synthetic despite what it came from the factory with. If your owner's manual calls for synthetics then you probably should use them but most recommend synthetics but allow both kinds of oils. But they will make note that your service intervals will change with non-synthetic or synthetic blend oils.

However, regular oil change intervals should be maintained because despite not driving, oil will still absorb moisture and the various components of motor oil will tend to separate if left unused for an extended period of time. This degrades the oil and necessitates a change.

Even if you don't cover 5K+ miles in 6 months, you should change the engine oil every 6 months at the minimum. Mainly because of the moisture issue. Even synthetics will collect moisture and break down over time if left unused.

If you live in a warm climate where you don't see sub-freezing temps in the winter, you can set your 6 month intervals to whenever works for you. For those of you, like me, who live in climates where there are definitive seasons with 75-100 degree ranges in temperature though a year of those seasons, it's a good practice to at least do your 6 month interval in April and October. This gets you fresh oil for each of the extreme weather seasons.

As far as the maintenance reminders on the cars, very few actually monitor oil quality. They are merely timers, in many cases, set to the recommended intervals by engineering based on specific grades, viscosity and types of oil to be able to reach those intervals without issue. So if you are relying on that, better read your owner's manual about it...provided you didn't throw it out.

sucks2beme

full synthetic
My car- 5k wife's car every 6 months(more like 3k).

pitdogg2

A good example of that moisture @Jstas is referring to can be seen in cool or cold weather. It's that cheesey looking foam on the back side of your oil cap.

Even if you're not driving your car it's good practice to change oil once a year. My mother's car is used less than 750 miles a year I change it once a year.


Stop and go city driving is also very hard on oil, especially if you're one of those in cold weather who let's their car "warm" up for 20 minutes so it's nice and toasty when you get it.
That is very hard on fuel injection cars.

VR3

I drive 50k miles a year...

Oil change every time the main reqrd light comes on... Around 6k or so miles

Full tune up every 100k miles... All filters, plugs, fluids, and I mean everything down to the pcv valve

I replace anything that breaks while I'm driving it and if that involved fluids/filters I remove that from the next tune up.

I used to do the manufactures 30k intervals for maintenance and it's a waste of money

Crossing 340k

pitdogg2

Do my own use synthetic Castrol and a Purolator Boss oil filter, change oil every 4000mi. My vehicle has 265,000mi and uses no oil in between changes. I put 5qts in get 5qts out

Nightfall

Full synthetic Mobil 1 10-20k interval oil whatever's highest & in stock at Walmart changed 3-4k miles depending on when I have the time.

treitz3

VR3 wrote: »

I replace anything that breaks while I'm driving it and if that involved fluids/filters I remove that from the next tune up.

Damn, your talented. I really need to take some multitasking lessons from you.

Tom

VR3

You know what I mean! 🚀🚀

sucks2beme

Changing your own oil lets you see what else is going on.
Most quick change places use their own special filters.
As in CHEAP. They are much smaller than normal filters
Avoid Iffy lube.

Dabutcher

I change it myself with full synthetic oil and oem filters. I go by the owners manual. 7K on the Venza and Camry and 7-10K on my Tundra. 5-8K on my two Goldwings. Good luck. D

ken brydson

I get 3 free oil changes a year on my new car. Planning on taking it in every 4 months regardless of miles.

skrol

Besides moisture, contaminants build up in the oil. Gas seeps by piston rings and into the oil, as so exhaust gasses. Short trips can do this too and there isn't enough drive time to burn them off. Some of these contaminants can be acidic and corrosive. Synthetic oils may be more immune. Bottom line, it is good to change the oil based on time even if you aren't putting in the miles. It is cheap too, especially if you DIY.