Oil Life - Time or Mileage?

[94C4]

I know there are many schools of thought out there on oil change intervals. I just want to know what some of your preferences are. My question is: If a Vette is only driven, lets say 3000 miles a year, should the oil be changed at a certain time interval like 6 months, or can you run the oil until, lets say 5000 miles? This is assuming the use of Mobil 1 and a filter change also.

Thanks

 

[warren s]

If the car is not driven much, you can change it over time instead of mileage.

If the car is sitting alot moisture can condense in the oil. Usually burt off during driving.

I change my oil evey 3K, or 6 months. I know it can go much longer but it makes me feel good. Its also very cheap insurance for the longevity of your engine.

 

[B17Crew]

My own paranoia would make me change it at 3,000 miles due to the oil sitting and the acids that form.

I change my oil at every 2,500 miles. I once read an article in Vette by Hib Halverson that suggested changing LT1/LT4 filters every 2,500 miles due to their small capacity.

The engines heat breaks down/burns-off contaminants. When a car sits, I would think that would be a green light for the contaminants to continue to form in the oil.

B17Crew

 

[vader86]

Both are factors.

However, if I only put 3-5K per year on the car, because I had her put up for winter, Id change it once at the beginning of spring and thats it.

Since I drive every day, I change at 3-4K with Mobil 1 and a K&N oil filter. You cant stop blowby on an engine, and definitely not one as old as mine.

 

[Remo]

Low Mile Oil Change

Fellas,

I know this a C4 discussion but this question is pretty universal. Same with me - I only put about 2,000 miles a year on my C5. In the owners manual it says no matter how "few" miles you put on it - the oil and filter should be changed at least once a year. So that the way I've handled it yerar over year. Just the same it doesn't seem like I'm geeting my monies worth out of that expensive Mobil 1.

Remo:cool

 

[dburgjohn]

Oil Change

Three months or three thousand miles, which ever comes first. I also do a change before winter storage even if I have not hit the '3s' yet.

 

[drags1998]

I agree with vader86, but I would change the oil in the Fall, so that the engine has clean oil in it when it sits all Winter. (no acid or cont. in the oil.) Not really sure if it makes any diff., but I feel better!!!!

 

[WNH]

I agree with all of the above, as they are fairly consistant answers.

I like being "GOOD" to my Corvette, so I change it every 2500 miles with hi-quality Synthetic oil. I also use 94 Octane Sunoco gas.