Is two years too long?

[REDEEMED]

Hey, I'm as lazy as the next guy... scratch that, I'm LAZIER than most!! My question for all you anal-retentive gearheads is: Is it reasonable to go TWO years between oil and filter changes, with the following provisos. I use only the specified OEM oil (always a full synth--Mobil 1 [except the FGT]), I always change and use premium filter, I do the work myself on my lift. The cars accrue 2000 miles or less a year. When fired, I always drive the beast at least half an hour at a goodly speed to make sure everyone gets up to operating temp and has a good workout.

My reason for asking is, if one has a coupla other hi-performance/hi HP Detroit iron puppies, is it OK to let things go a bit longer than the norm (1 year) period between changes? Or do contaminents, water condensate, etc. make 1 year the max between oil changes for any level-headed person? It's not really the cost, I'm just LAZY and prefer doing the work since I know how to to lift my cars without damaging anything. In my experience, having ANYONE lift your lowered, hi-HP baby is always fraught with risk. Marking the rocker panels ( "Oh, they're fiber---bending them a little won't hurt anything"), nicking exhaust systems ("Well the damn thing hangs so low"), seems the way the new generation of even hi-end mechanics does business--- even as you are standing there watching!

But back to the question---is 2 years ever OK 'tween oil changes?? ... or is it nein! 1 year and just do it!

Thanks, Redeemed

 

[nota4re]

My answer would depend on the year-round climate that the car lives in during the year. If the climate is without extremes, I think you'd be fine.

 

[Fast Freddy]

pull the disptick and look at the color of the oil. if it is brown or darker change it....

when it is new it is pretty much clear or a golden yelllowish type color. when it is slightly used it gets tan. when it is at mid-life it is brown. when it is black it is unsafe....

 

[MNJason]

Regardless of use my personal opinion is oil should not be left in more than 12 months.

 

[GTdrummer]

Regardless of use my personal opinion is oil should not be left in more than 12 months.

Agree

 

[Kayvan]

At a GM / Corvette tech session a number of oem staff engineers from their approved oil companies said for cars
Driven less than 1000mi, an annual oil change was not necessary....synthetic oil does not degrade in this time period and can even go 2-3 yrs

This caused a panic but the engineers were adamant.

I went over 2yrs and the SVT tech said my oil looked normal

 

[PL510*Jeff]

For peace of mind, I change annually on cars I don't drive much, pretty cheap "insurance" in the overall scope of things.

 

[jbyrnes]

For more than 30 years I've been doing 1,000 mile or so oil changes on the few cars I've had that get driven a few hundred miles per year, so 2 years or more between changes. But my rule of thumb is to change oil after a track day and always warm up the oil to full operating temp for at least 15-20 minutes to boil off whatever can boil off. Since oil discoloration is caused mainly by combustion blow by my take is that any forced induction motor is going to need more frequent changes, plus they run hotter and are driven harder, but as FF said color can help make the call.

 

[MNJason]

A Blackstone report helps too.

 

[Shadowman]

I support once a year regardless of the miles ........ this unless the gal was prepared for and placed into long term storage.

Otherwise every 5K miles is my practice.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[BlackICE]

Changing the oil once if year is the safest thing to do. However depending on how the car was driven the oil can last much longer. To be sure you can get your oil tested. If it tests OK, it is OK.

 

[HHGT]

On my Heritage with 153 miles it gets started and allowed to run to normal operating temperatures once a month. It has had (1) Engine oil change and (1) Trans-axle oil change. In SoCal the climate is optimum for storing cars but they have to be started regularly to avoid electrolysis (http://www.drivewerks.com/Newsletter/vol-7.htm) and condensation issues etc. This coming spring I plan on changing the coolant on both GTs which is something no one hear talks about much.

Question: For those that have changed the coolant in the GT how messy of a job is it and is there any need for aftermarket DIYs to minimize the mess associated?

 

[Fubar]

My guess would be the techs got it right. Fully synthetic oils don't have the natural breakdown characteristics of normal oil. If you are not tracking the car but using it enough to cook out moisture and startup fuels, I'd go with a two year routine and not worry about it one bit. Modem cars are so much better (metallurgy and modern silicone hoses/gaskets) they just dont need the attention that we grew up thinking cars needed.

But what do I know, I'm just a bail bondsman.

 

[fjpikul]

Changing the coolant is not a real big deal. You will need one of those cannister apparatus to suck the coolant through the system. Dropping the front spoiler helps to get at the front stopcocks.

 

[GTdrummer]

After watching Dennis and Rich change my coolant I decided it was not a DIY job for me.

 

[MAD IN NC]

I support once a year regardless of the miles ........ this unless the gal was prepared for and placed into long term storage.

Otherwise every 5K miles is my practice.

Takes care

Shadowman

agreed.... just changed mine after 1 yr. It was dark brown with less than 3k miles......

 

[Indy GT]

My guess would be the techs got it right. Fully synthetic oils don't have the natural breakdown characteristics of normal oil. If you are not tracking the car but using it enough to cook out moisture and startup fuels, I'd go with a two year routine and not worry about it one bit. Modem cars are so much better (metallurgy and modern silicone hoses/gaskets) they just dont need the attention that we grew up thinking cars needed.

But what do I know, I'm just a bail bondsman.

Actually Mark I agree with your logic as well.

The full synthetic oils are very good and as stated, are not redily prone to temperature breakdown. As some have mentioned the climate in which you store your car is a consideration as well but I see no problem with a two year interval.

Sure, a one year interval is good too and those who advocate this approach certainly will not damage or compromise anything. Just time, effort and expense as you indicate. I think the Corvette technical people are correct on this call.

 

[REDEEMED]

In response to conditions, all cars are garaged (of course), but some some cars are more garaged than others!! FGT is in HVACed condition. I'm in southeast where sub-freezing is unusual and probably doesn't penetrate into wind protected structures like a garage. Cars are always on pavement, so dust is not an issue. Every girl gets her own Battery Tender and gets driven every week or two, 12 months a year (eat your heart out). So is 2 years unreasonable???? By the way, other girls might have some other kinda those FI thingies goin' on.

Thanks for all the input... more response solicited. Redeemed

 

[REDEEMED]

so who agrees with Fubar? one can look at the color and rub the dipstick oil 'tween your 60year old fingers and assess the status of the oil?? I, for one say yes!! If it still has that pristine honey oil color that it had when you dropped it in... well good to go, --- that is at least another factor in the equation.

counter arguments desired, Redeemed

 

[REDEEMED]

P.S. you guys are the smartest. I'm just a beginner.