Low kilometers run - when should I change oil

[musicgold]

Hi,

I use my car only on weekends (Toyota Camry).  I had its oil and oil filter changed on 1 July 08 when the car had 175,000 Kms on the dial. I used synthetic oil instead of regular oil, which is supposed to be good for 10,000 Kms.

It has been three and half months and the car has run only 1,600 Kms since the oil change.  When should I take the car for the next oil change?

Thanks,

MG

[mmret]

I'd go in around Feb / March, but that *might* be stretching it (on time, not km).

(Thinking go after the coldest part of winter)

[initial_D]

I would change the oil after 6 months.

[articsteve]

I'd change it every 6 months.  But in your case I'd stretch your next change to May 1st and then again in Nov 1st give or take a few weeks.

[musicgold]

Thanks a lot folks.

[ktm525]

With that little use I would run it 6 months and change. I would also get an oil analysis run to see if that can be stretched to yearly. Using a quality synthetic and low miles (10k/year) I am changing the Dakota's oil yearly now. The analyisis showed plenty of oil life left even after a year. YMMV

[musicgold]

ktm525,

Thanks. Where can I get this oil analysis done?

[Rupert]

New cars regularly sit on parking lot sites for up to a year before being sold. No milage at all. Bet they don't get an oil change in pre-deliv. Maybe they do or take other measures. It's kind of hard to convince yourself to change the oil when it's only been a couple of thousand km since the last change. I imagine that there are many owners in this category and me included recently. I try to change the oil every 5000 km. regardless of the manuals requirements. It's the cheapest preventive maintenance you can do. Other than that I think I will do it yearly. Maybe just prior to winter. Perhaps we should try to use as little oil as possible these days.

[safristi]

  OIL sitting inna car SUMP is different    HOW!!!! from it sitting onna Can Tyre SHELF??....how many cars can a dealership own that sit onna lot fer that long...TELL ME MY FRIEND................KUM by Yaaaahhh!!!!............

[CaldwellB]

Is switching to synthetic oil at such a high mileage (175k) wise?  I'm tempted to switch to synthetic as well (188k) but I read a few posts that discouraged doing so (potential of oil leaks I think it was...)

[safristi]

CalledwellB.....being musing a similar scenario......on my Ford Ranger...vintage! 1997...225,000K.......then there woz $8.88 5Litre Quaker OIL(5W/30) on deal.....nuff said......after all it survived last Winter with  Dino 10W/30..................don't need no "Complications" aka leakage on ma Wintaaah beater.......suggest U do tha SAME......getta deal on DINO and motor on.........................

[barrie1]

I would actually suggest both of you Rupert and CaldwellB to stick with the Dino oil as to the milage of your vehicles. Yes there could be leak problems but not always of course. Its expensive but will last longer between changes is certainly one of the benefits for your car as well as better lubrication. Dino Oil has been doing a good job for you all these years so far and I for one would stick with it unless you replace this vehicle with a new one. 

[safristi]

geez I  pre-agreed wif OLDE DINO Barrie.............. ...i change his...........*******   DEPEND'ing onna BAR HOPPIN'................

[shawcross]

every oil change u must do is every 3 months or 5000km
MG

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