Oil service - how often?

I would change the engine oil at least once per year, regardless of km's driven mate.

Oil breaks down over time, regardless of km's done and it reduces the protection on your engine components.

Change it once yearly and you will not have any issues.

 

What he said. The need to change oil isn't dictated by milage. You can put twelve miles on fresh oil and still should change it before storing for long periods as when winterizing. Other than that if you're running straight dino oil (non synthetic) every 2Kmi would be my rec, at least for an older car. Newer no more than 3K.

 

3000 miles or at least once per year.

Not a bad idea to do other fluids at least every other year.

 

Most automotive manufacturers recommend changing the oil after a certain amount of miles or no more than 1 year, whichever occurs first. I recommend every spring.

Read my articles here for more detailed information:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_haas_articles

aehaas

 

The owner's manual would give some good information on the subject!

 

During the driving season combustion byproducts, acids & moisture contaminate the oil. If you change it in the fall before any storage periods, that 'gunk' will be gone during the storage. This is why I prefer a fall oil change here in Alaska.

If you live in Palm Springs... whatever!

Rgds,
Vince

 

Oil thickens in cooler temperatures, permanently. This is limited in API certification to a particular percentage. It is the Gelation Index test. Oil gelling is both temperature and time dependent. A short period of intense cold may have the same thickening as a longer exposure in less cool temperatures. Gelation thickening may particularly increase the amount of wear experienced between start up and optimal temperatures of operation, even in the hot summer. The operating temperature thickness of the oil may also thicken causing advanced wear from overly thickened oil.

This is why it is important to change oil whether you use your car or not, in the spring time.

aehaas

 

Might be more of a problem in other parts... but here in Alaska we only run vehicles down to -60F & it has never been an issue. Below -60F, we put 'em up - too many 'other' problems develop (like tires rolling off the rims). Perhaps though, I should be more concerned over the Fcar since it stays in a warm heated garage all winter.
Good Luck,
Vince

 

Thanks for your input Ali.

 

I thought that gelation only applied to convention oils because of the waxes in that oil. Are synthetics prone to this also?