Should I change my oil? Under 3k but over 7 months - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

photo_wed · 03-04-2010, 02:32 PM

I don't drive my corolla often only on the weekends. It's at 2650 miles now but last time i took it to the shop for an oil change was in August I believe. This time I'm doing it myself. So should I change it now or change it only when it reaches 3000 miles?

1999 corolla ce - 118,000 mileage

Buurin · 03-04-2010, 07:33 PM

Like you I don't drive that much too, also only on weekends. I used to follow 6000km regardless of time. Since I changed to Mobil 1 and realizing that I can't even reach that in a year, I just do annual oil changes, and have oil analysis done to see if I can stretch it out further. From my last report I am definitely good for 1 year and 6000km.

You'll see that I followed time intervals. If you don't know what oil your shop sourced, do it at the next convenient opportunity and go Mobil 1. You can then do it yourself once a year with Mobil 1 and Toyota YZZF1 filter and be comfortable knowing that you've treated your car well.

***MR2Jedi*** · 03-04-2010, 07:58 PM

If it still looks kinda clear,no.
But if it looks dirty/black, change it.

RoachRolla · 03-04-2010, 08:34 PM

this is a question I often ask myself. Im lucky if i put more than 3k miles/year so I'm not sure if I should follow mileage or time interval. But I just end up doing a oil change with synthetic every six months.

blb · 03-05-2010, 09:59 AM

The most important question is whether the mileage is mostly short trips or mostly long trips. If most of the trips are 3 to 5 mile errand running, then it needs to be changed sooner than if most trips are 20 miles at a time. Also, if the oil is black, it has contaminants contained in it and it should be changed. If it still looks like honey, then it is relatively clean.

iskate631 · 03-05-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blb

Also, if the oil is black, it has contaminants contained in it and it should be changed. If it still looks like honey, then it is relatively clean.

oil will generally be black no matter how long it has been in an engine, it depends on how many miles are on the car itself. a car with 5k miles on it will still come out honey, but one with over 100k will be black after 5 minutes of running the engine. color of oil has nothing to do for when to change it, its just telling you that it is doing its job correctly.

i always just base my oil off of 3k miles, but i put 40k this year and 60k last year

captaincorolla · 03-05-2010, 01:30 PM

I put 300 miles a week on the car, minimum. Closer to 400 each week. The local lube shop loves me. It really tears up my car. Makes a car that looked brand new a couple years ago, look pretty worn.

RoachRolla · 03-05-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskate631

oil will generally be black no matter how long it has been in an engine, it depends on how many miles are on the car itself. a car with 5k miles on it will still come out honey, but one with over 100k will be black after 5 minutes of running the engine. color of oil has nothing to do for when to change it, its just telling you that it is doing its job correctly.

i always just base my oil off of 3k miles, but i put 40k this year and 60k last year

omg! that much mileage?! where do you drive to?

iskate631 · 03-05-2010, 05:41 PM

lmao i just like to drive. first of all just to get into town i have an 8 mile drive so every single day i put 16-32 just on that. then i drive around in the summer alot, im out late takes lengthy drives and so on. thats how i hit 231k in 1 and a 1/2 years of owning the car. think it had like.. 130 or something when i got it =)

MacktasticSlick · 03-05-2010, 11:49 PM

I used to hit 3000 miles in a month and a half. Now that I have no license, I don't really drive now. But it'll pick up again. This is the first time I have gone longer than 3 months without the oil being changed, it feels weird not doing it.

RoachRolla · 03-06-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskate631

lmao i just like to drive. first of all just to get into town i have an 8 mile drive so every single day i put 16-32 just on that. then i drive around in the summer alot, im out late takes lengthy drives and so on. thats how i hit 231k in 1 and a 1/2 years of owning the car. think it had like.. 130 or something when i got it =)

damn, you are in the car a lot! i like driving too but I hate seeing that odometer creep up, makes me feel like I have an old car. i drive a mile to campus on most days and different peoples cars are used on weekends, so you can see that my poor rolla doesnt get much exercise.