Oil Change Frequency? - Page 4

dpevans · 01-08-2021, 08:54 PM

If you are really concerned about the "life" of your oil when you change it you can send samples to a lab and they will tell you how much life is left in your oil. I drive year around but have stored several times and you should always do an oil change before you store it, change oil and filter and drive just enough to get to temp then put in storage. Synthetics are lab made and are consistent unlike oil that was made 40 years ago.

JCunningham · 01-10-2021, 03:12 AM

do a oil analysis. 7500 and you're still at 50%. Ford advertized 6500 mile oil change interval on there 67 F100- F350 trucks. 3000 was made up by ad men to sell more oil.

CamaroSS18 · 01-10-2021, 11:43 AM

I have always changed the oil in my vehicles at every 3,000 miles with full synthetic Mobil 1 5W30 and if I do not reach the 3,000 mile mark within a year/season, then I change it at least once within the year. I have not been reaching 3,000 miles in a season, so I basically change the oil every October when they all get put away for storage, so that they are being stored with fresh oil. October is busy for me as I do this with four vehicles, three four wheelers, two go-karts, pressure washer, wood chipper and the riding and push lawn mowers before being put to bed for the winter. My 2018 Sierra Denali winter rat, I usually do the opposite and change in the spring every year, as it sits all summer. I put about 5,000 miles on it in a year/winter, as it is the only vehicle driven during the winter besides my wife's Acadia, so I usually let that one go the 5,000 miles and just change it in the spring, instead of changing it twice throughout the winter. The OLM still is usually 20% or so by that time and makes sense, since the intervals at the dealership and manual are around 5,000-7,500 between oil changes with dexos1. So I don't worry about the truck too much if it doesn't get changed until 5,000 miles.

JSH · 01-10-2021, 12:03 PM

3000 mi. has always been a good figure

craigss50 · 01-10-2021, 01:04 PM

I mostly drive short distances (2 miles to the gym) and try to run it to proper warm up once a week so I worry about the effects on my engine. I drive it about 2500 miles a year. I do change it yearly and the oil minder doesn't go below 20%. Looks like GM doesn't think I should worry about it.

ember1205 · 01-10-2021, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSH

3000 mi. has always been a good figure

It's a good 'when all else fails' sort of interval in today's cars, but it's completely unnecessary in almost all situations now. The oil alone, even dino oil, has improved over the years to where it can last longer. The engines have improved with better tolerances and such to where they put less 'wear' on the oil as well. Combine that together and 3k is no longer necessary.

Switch out the dino oil for synthetic and it gets even better. Follow the OLM if it's your DD, and be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for oil and filter. After that, follow best practices for things like:

- Change it before AND after a track day
- Change it before any lengthy storage interval
- Change it no less than once per year no matter what to ensure that the motor isn't unnecessarily subjected to various pollutants and excess moisture

And similar...

UnknownJinX · 01-10-2021, 01:15 PM

3k miles are overkill for a modern piston engine.

I did that in the RX-8 but with the used oil analysis and the oil I am using, that wasn't a bad interval. But that car revved heck high and also needed to inject oil into the combustion chamber for lubrication, and so it helps to have it clean.

Sent from toaster or something

Z28James · 01-11-2021, 01:46 PM

Here is my 2 cents. I change at every 5k or I will change when it looks dirty on my daily driver. On the Camaro I will change it twice a year which would average 4k miles between changes. If I raced mine around like some do I would change it right at 3k.

In my personal experience I have seen cars go for 10k miles between oil changes with conventional oil and the engines still run up to 200k miles on them.

Z28GTOSSMike · 01-11-2021, 01:59 PM

Been changing mine when the OLM says about 25% and it always works out to between 5,000 and 5,500 miles. Had one track day prior to the last change and it didn't seem to make much difference from the previous interval.

m3bs · 01-11-2021, 02:14 PM

Since I’m probably one of the two (?) people who actually read that document referenced in post #27, here’s the big takeaway from it. Short trips are clearly the worst thing for your oil. Much worse than high temperatures. So there, now you have an technical argument for an excuse to take the long way home.....

UnknownJinX · 01-11-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3bs

Since I’m probably one of the two (?) people who actually read that document referenced in post #27, here’s the big takeaway from it. Short trips are clearly the worst thing for your oil. Much worse than high temperatures. So there, now you have an technical argument for an excuse to take the long way home.....

That document was made in 2009. Just from the term Daimler-Chrylser alone, I could tell that paper goes pretty far back.

I would think the algorithm has been worked on and improved in these 10 years.

Sent from toaster or something

m3bs · 01-11-2021, 02:58 PM

I’m sure the algorithm has improved. I know some manufacturers are also using some type of sensor to monitor condition that factors into the calculation. Don’t know about GM.

gchu · 01-11-2021, 07:32 PM

Lots of good information and thoughts folks! Thanks!

I had taken it to the dealership for the last oil change so it's probably got the 5W30 Dexos oil in it.

Based on my estimated mileage < 5K/year (most likely closer to 3K/year), I'm going to lean towards the once/year approach... Though I do like someone's suggestion of changing it before putting it away for the winter

Even when it's put away, I do try to drive it for about 30-45 minutes once a month (though only if it looks like the salt has been washed away and it's over 40 degrees out)

ember1205 · 01-12-2021, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchu

Lots of good information and thoughts folks! Thanks!

I had taken it to the dealership for the last oil change so it's probably got the 5W30 Dexos oil in it.

The oil that many dealers use for the free oil changes is 5W-30 dexos1 Gen2. It's confusing because the logo on a bottle fools many into thinking it's dexos2, but you have to look closely.

It's important to know that there's a difference in protection between the dexos1 and dexos2 oils and that's part of why the 0W-40 oil is dexos2 (this is the oil required for track use).

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchu

Based on my estimated mileage < 5K/year (most likely closer to 3K/year), I'm going to lean towards the once/year approach... Though I do like someone's suggestion of changing it before putting it away for the winter

Even when it's put away, I do try to drive it for about 30-45 minutes once a month (though only if it looks like the salt has been washed away and it's over 40 degrees out)

Don't.

Just leave it until spring. Starting it up after four weeks of sitting is exactly the same as starting it up after four months of sitting. You're creating additional, unnecessary wear on the internal parts with each of those mid-winter starts and you're providing zero benefit. Connect the battery to a tender and come back it's spring time.

01-10-2021, 03:12 AM	#44
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	do a oil analysis. 7500 and you're still at 50%. Ford advertized 6500 mile oil change interval on there 67 F100- F350 trucks. 3000 was made up by ad men to sell more oil. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

01-10-2021, 12:03 PM	#46
JSH Drives: '20 ZLE Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Mile High Posts: 3,560	3000 mi. has always been a good figure __________________ '20 ZL1 1LE A10, OEM short block, LME heads/valve train, E2650. 100+ octanes, no eth, no meth, no N2O. 2/23 - 1031/1004 wheel. 4/23 - 1.41/9.61/145 at DA 7000 ft. (only made five passes). 2/24 - LME 390, E2650, FBO, 100 oct.; 1116hp/ 1063tq; 109 oct. dyno next.

01-10-2021, 01:15 PM	#49
UnknownJinX Drives: 19 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Shock Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,947	3k miles are overkill for a modern piston engine. I did that in the RX-8 but with the used oil analysis and the oil I am using, that wasn't a bad interval. But that car revved heck high and also needed to inject oil into the combustion chamber for lubrication, and so it helps to have it clean. Sent from toaster or something __________________ Current: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE M6 Shock GM Performance Intake and that's it, because driver mods before car mods Past: 2009 Mazda RX-8 GT M6 Velocity Red Mica (Sold) 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 2LT M7 Velocity Yellow Tintcoat (Flood totaled)

01-08-2021, 08:54 PM	#43
dpevans Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,208	If you are really concerned about the "life" of your oil when you change it you can send samples to a lab and they will tell you how much life is left in your oil. I drive year around but have stored several times and you should always do an oil change before you store it, change oil and filter and drive just enough to get to temp then put in storage. Synthetics are lab made and are consistent unlike oil that was made 40 years ago.

01-10-2021, 11:43 AM	#45
CamaroSS18 Camaro2SS18 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Northern NY Posts: 81	I have always changed the oil in my vehicles at every 3,000 miles with full synthetic Mobil 1 5W30 and if I do not reach the 3,000 mile mark within a year/season, then I change it at least once within the year. I have not been reaching 3,000 miles in a season, so I basically change the oil every October when they all get put away for storage, so that they are being stored with fresh oil. October is busy for me as I do this with four vehicles, three four wheelers, two go-karts, pressure washer, wood chipper and the riding and push lawn mowers before being put to bed for the winter. My 2018 Sierra Denali winter rat, I usually do the opposite and change in the spring every year, as it sits all summer. I put about 5,000 miles on it in a year/winter, as it is the only vehicle driven during the winter besides my wife's Acadia, so I usually let that one go the 5,000 miles and just change it in the spring, instead of changing it twice throughout the winter. The OLM still is usually 20% or so by that time and makes sense, since the intervals at the dealership and manual are around 5,000-7,500 between oil changes with dexos1. So I don't worry about the truck too much if it doesn't get changed until 5,000 miles.

01-10-2021, 01:04 PM	#47
craigss50 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Fifty Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Port St Lucie, Florida Posts: 966	I mostly drive short distances (2 miles to the gym) and try to run it to proper warm up once a week so I worry about the effects on my engine. I drive it about 2500 miles a year. I do change it yearly and the oil minder doesn't go below 20%. Looks like GM doesn't think I should worry about it.

01-11-2021, 01:46 PM	#50
Z28James Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS; 2020 Bolt Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 34	Here is my 2 cents. I change at every 5k or I will change when it looks dirty on my daily driver. On the Camaro I will change it twice a year which would average 4k miles between changes. If I raced mine around like some do I would change it right at 3k. In my personal experience I have seen cars go for 10k miles between oil changes with conventional oil and the engines still run up to 200k miles on them.

01-11-2021, 01:59 PM	#51
Z28GTOSSMike Drives: 2019 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Palm Bay, Fl Posts: 165	Been changing mine when the OLM says about 25% and it always works out to between 5,000 and 5,500 miles. Had one track day prior to the last change and it didn't seem to make much difference from the previous interval.

01-11-2021, 02:14 PM	#52
m3bs Drives: '19 ZLE, S54 E36M3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 227	Since I’m probably one of the two (?) people who actually read that document referenced in post #27, here’s the big takeaway from it. Short trips are clearly the worst thing for your oil. Much worse than high temperatures. So there, now you have an technical argument for an excuse to take the long way home.....

01-11-2021, 02:58 PM	#54
m3bs Drives: '19 ZLE, S54 E36M3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 227	I’m sure the algorithm has improved. I know some manufacturers are also using some type of sensor to monitor condition that factors into the calculation. Don’t know about GM.

01-11-2021, 07:32 PM	#55
gchu Drives: Chevy Camaro Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: PA Posts: 76	Lots of good information and thoughts folks! Thanks! I had taken it to the dealership for the last oil change so it's probably got the 5W30 Dexos oil in it. Based on my estimated mileage < 5K/year (most likely closer to 3K/year), I'm going to lean towards the once/year approach... Though I do like someone's suggestion of changing it before putting it away for the winter Even when it's put away, I do try to drive it for about 30-45 minutes once a month (though only if it looks like the salt has been washed away and it's over 40 degrees out)

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