Oil change every 12 months

[bskubon]

What’s the recommendation for us retired folks who don’t drive much, regarding changing the oil every 12 months regardless of mileage? I changed my oil at breakin at like 1000 miles and 12 months later only added like 3000 more miles. I try and drive it 2 or 3 times a month.

 

[Snofire]

I would say you are fine. If that were me I would be using synthetic oil instead of conventional.

 

[Yangster]

I think it's time or mileage, whichever comes first. Conventional oil breaks down over time and usage so it was whichever came first. Now with synthetic, I don't know if time still applies. I would still change on a 12 month cycle. Don't want the MFR to have any reason to decline future warranty work.

 

[SpeedyV]

What’s the recommendation for us retired folks who don’t drive much, regarding changing the oil every 12 months regardless of mileage? I changed my oil at breakin at like 1000 miles and 12 months later only added like 3000 more miles. I try and drive it 2 or 3 times a month.

I do it religiously, partly because I have a lifetime warranty and the owner’s manual calls for it. I use very good products, e.g. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and a Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter. I run 6-7K miles per year.

 

[Willwork4truck]

What Yangster said.

 

[ElkoNV]

What Yangster and Speedy said. The filters can break down, keep your warranty in good standing.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Look for the dealer and regional coupons. I've used them for 2 years now, usually conventional oil/filter works out to about $30-35 per visit, and that's 6 quarts in the hemi.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Remember there is no standard for what constitutes "synthetic blend". 1 drop synthetic to .9999 qt of conventional is a "blend".

 

[securityguy]

I change either at 5K miles or 6 months, which ever comes first. I don't like leaving anything in for more than 6 months. Oil changes are cheap!

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

I've always been told at least once a year if you do not reach the mileage. My Grandmother had a 89 Buick that my dad had the oil changed every year. I think that car had less than 20k miles in 2005 and still smelled like a new car and ran like new. Fuel dilution is a factor in all vehicles to some degree and if you do not drive it for very long or far the fuel won't burn off and it will degrade the oil to some degree, or at least that is what they say. For peace of mind I'd just do at least every 12months in your case.

 

[SD Rebel]

What’s the recommendation for us retired folks who don’t drive much, regarding changing the oil every 12 months regardless of mileage? I changed my oil at breakin at like 1000 miles and 12 months later only added like 3000 more miles. I try and drive it 2 or 3 times a month.

To stay within your 5 year/ 60K mile powertrain warranty, make sure you have proof of doing it at least every 12 months, regardless of mileage.

After that, if you are using a quality synthetic, you can easily do it every 2 years. All my older vehicles and bikes that get low usage (500-1000 miles a year) are on a 2 year oil change interval, and even that is being really conservative based on oil analysis.

At 3,000 miles a year, I would do it every 12 months.

 

[Rebelguy2020]

I change either at 5K miles or 6 months, which ever comes first. I don't like leaving anything in for more than 6 months. Oil changes are cheap!

Oil changes are not cheap if you drive an ecodiesel.

 

[securityguy]

Oil changes are not cheap if you drive an ecodiesel.

Very true...but I don't think this thread is about EcoDiesels

 

[Rebelguy2020]

Very true...but I don't think this thread is about EcoDiesels

I was simply commenting, there is no vehicle or engine description on the original post.

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

I was simply commenting, there is no vehicle or engine description on the original post.

What's the cost for an oil change on the ecodiesel running, just curious?

 

[KCViper]

For all you non-Texan's (have no clue as to why), Ram Care is included with a new truck purchase and includes 4 oil changes and 4 tire rotations that is good for first two years. By my math, I'll be changing the oil every 6 months!!

 

[Mirowpl]

I have only ever run Dino oil in any of my vehicles and I have owned ones for the past 42 years. I have never blown a head casket, motor, Rod or such. This includes 3 seperate Hemi engines. the past 4 vehicles have the oil ch age light, 2 hemi’s and 2 pentastars. With both the loght comes on at very different times, depending on how I have driven the vehicle. I have had the hemi go as far as 8k but as little as 3.5 when towing a lot.

 

[securityguy]

I have only ever run Dino oil in any of my vehicles and I have owned ones for the past 42 years. I have never blown a head casket, motor, Rod or such. This includes 3 seperate Hemi engines. the past 4 vehicles have the oil ch age light, 2 hemi’s and 2 pentastars. With both the loght comes on at very different times, depending on how I have driven the vehicle. I have had the hemi go as far as 8k but as little as 3.5 when towing a lot.

I, personally, would never let DINO oil in any new engine over the last 10+ years based on the tight tolerances and higher operating temps and let it go for over 3-5K miles. Full Syn is cheap and like $22 for 5 quarts of a high quality oil like Pennzoil Platinum or many others at Walmart. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Royalist_Ram]

What's the cost for an oil change on the ecodiesel running, just curious?

It's like $200-250 from a dealer, filter alone is $90. Luckily got my maintenance and oil changes free from Stellantis.

 

[Royalist_Ram]

Just use full synthetic, and follow the oil life meter on your cluster or every 12 months, which ever comes first. If you drive normally in regular environments, expect every 7,500-10,000 miles otherwise. Refer to the manual for service intervals for verification. I always listen to the manufacturer: not a dealer, not a JiffyLube employee, and definitely not someone on a forum lol.