Oil life

[Snakebyte]

I had a 2003 acura rsx s. It was modified for a bit more performance, engine and suspension. It didn't have an oil change reminder. I always changed the oil at about 6k miles never under. A couple of times I did 7k or 8k. I did the valve cover twice at over 100k miles. The last one being over 160k. The valve train both time looked like it was brand new. It was all shiny and no stains. I used mobil 1 synthetic 5w-30. While the theory of changing the oil by calculating time and engine usage variation makes sense. It is hard to argue that a fixed oil changes interval worked for me. My mother drives a 2015 acura rdx v6 and her oil reminder usually calculates oil changes to about 4k miles. When I did the calculation I thought it was funny that it was was asking for an oil change at 4k miles using synthetics. I do wonder if they are trying to get you to the dealer more.

Yes, it does make you wonder if they are trying to get you to the dealer more...but I don't fall for it.
That said, I am semi-retired and my trips are short, in hot Florida weather. So I can see where my engine can take abuse from the short trips, as opposed to the 1200 mile trips to family up north where the engine purrs at a near constant speed. I can see that my around home short trips could ratchet Ford's algorithm much quicker to the next oil change.

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[TEAsGrabber]

I changed mine @5K miles and now have 7180 miles and I'm showing 69%

 

[Nitrousfedlx]

What do u guys recommend for oil change intervals on cars that get drove about 500 miles a year? Just change once a year? Go by the oil life monitor?

 

[stannypack]

I changed mine at 1500 and after 2400 miles oil life monitor says 50%. on E85 and I drive it hard multiple times per week so idk seems correct

 

[Magnetic Stang]

What do u guys recommend for oil change intervals on cars that get drove about 500 miles a year? Just change once a year? Go by the oil life monitor?

What does your oil life monitor say after a year at that milage? The owner's manual says "Never exceed one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil change intervals." If you're only driving 500 miles a year you'll be good just changing it once a year.

 

[Nitrousfedlx]

What does your oil life monitor say after a year at that milage? The owner's manual says "Never exceed one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil change intervals." If you're only driving 500 miles a year you'll be good just changing it once a year.

I'm not completely sure on the mileage. It's not much, I don't drive the mustang as much as I should. I just randomly drive the car once every 6 or so weeks and about 30 or 40 miles. My oil life monitor will come on telling me to change oil soon and I'm like damn I hardly even drive it. LOL. Must be on a timer also then.

 

[Magnetic Stang]

I'm not completely sure on the mileage. It's not much, I don't drive the mustang as much as I should. I just randomly drive the car once every 6 or so weeks and about 30 or 40 miles. My oil life monitor will come on telling me to change oil soon and I'm like damn I hardly even drive it. LOL. Must be on a timer also then.

Yeah, it does calculate the oil life based on time, driving habits and conditions. The harder you drive it the faster is goes down. I bet it's weird driving a few times a year and getting a notification to change your oil. lol

 

[Nitrousfedlx]

Yeah, it does calculate the oil life based on time, driving habits and conditions. The harder you drive it the faster is goes down. I bet it's weird driving a few times a year and getting a notification to change your oil. lol

Yeah because the oil draining out is almost new. Hahaha. What's more weird than that is I turn on accessories without starting it first and a battery saving mode message tells me to turn it off. LOL. If anybody can explain that, let me know. Like am I not supposed to start the car seriously?

 

[Charlemagne]

What do u guys recommend for oil change intervals on cars that get drove about 500 miles a year? Just change once a year? Go by the oil life monitor?

Depends on your warranty. Here we need to maintain the yearly interval at most. But realistically, once every 2 years would be just as fine with such low mileage.

 

[Nitrousfedlx]

Depends on your warranty. Here we need to maintain the yearly interval at most. But realistically, once every 2 years would be just as fine with such low mileage.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking once a year or when the OLM tells me too. Reality of it is, I need to drive the car more often. Lol

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