How often should I do the oil change?

[Dhanu]

Hi,

I have a 2000 Avalon XLS and last time I did an oil change was in July, 2008 (127,000 miles).
Next oil change is scheduled at 130,000 miles.
* Now after 7 months I have driven only about 2000 miles. My normal driving routine is about 2-3 trips per day (each round trip about 1-2 miles).
* I'm from Kansas (so you have an idea about the weather that I'm driving in) driving in paved non-dirt roads.

- Should often should I do oil changes? (6 months, 1Year, etc... ? )
- or should I do oil changes every 3000 miles (even though it would take about an year for me put that mileage) ?

- If your answer is 'YES' to the 2'nd question above, doesn that mean if I get the high synthetic 9000 miles oil change, I won't have to change oil for 3 years?

Thanks in advance.

[tr7driver]

I'd change it every 3 months because of the sludge issues. I don't think I'd switch to synthetic oil in an engine with that many miles.

[Dhanu]

Originally Posted by tr7driver

I'd change it every 3 months because of the sludge issues. I don't think I'd switch to synthetic oil in an engine with that many miles.

but isn't synthetic oil the more expensive better one ?

[by your answer seems like I should stick to my current schedule of 6 months oil change]

[ChiTDI]

Originally Posted by tr7driver

I'd change it every 3 months because of the sludge issues. I don't think I'd switch to synthetic oil in an engine with that many miles.

+1 on the 3k/3mo because of all the miles.
I'd do synth at 5k/6mo if you drove more and would benefit from the cleaning.
Keep an eye on the PCV valve/system too, they're great cars when they're sludge free.

[Boston Fireguy]

Since new I've used synthetic oil, either Mobil 1 or Valvoline, changing it and the filter (Wix #51348) every 5K miles or so. At 82K miles my '04 Avalon XLS is still not burning any oil.
I just had the trannsmission fluid flushed yesterday; a little overdue.

[PhatRoyale]

It's never too late to switch over. Just make sure you aren't burning oil right now.

If you hardly ever drive the car, I would change it every 6 months just to be safe.

[kegunder]

My thoughts.

I'm in your exact situation now, BTW. I might have a bit more mileage that you though.

I'd use conventional oil and change every 3000 miles/ 4 months (whichever is sooner). You're usage is actually very severe due to very short trips. If you could go for a 30 minute drive every couple of weeks, you'd actually be doing your oil some good by evaporating any water or fuel that may have gotten 'stuck' in it. Synthetic would be a waste of money. (Some will argue that "it can't hurt", but that's not the point.)

If you're engine has an issue ( bad air filter or PCV, coolant leak, whatever) you still could have sludging issues. If you know your engine has no issues and is clean of sludge, I'd suggest 4000 miles / 8 months. Still conventional though, because of cost.

If you're usage is less severe, I'd suggest 5000 miles / 8 months. You never know when something might go bad with an engine, so pushing an oil for to long isn't a good move.

[Manny1337]

i know this is the Avalon section but in my camry i religiously do ever 3k and i wouldnt go over 5 months but ofcourse i change my oil ever 2

[TrailDust]

Opinions vary, but I've always been a believer in 3 months/3,000 miles, and as far as maximums are concerned (even with synthetics) I'd say 6 months or 5,000 miles. When dealing with moving parts, be conservative can never hurt.

TrailDust