I have a quick question regarding oil changes. I know this stuff has been posted before but I need to know is it safe to keep the oil in the engine for 6 months before it is changed? I know toyota specifies 6 months/5000 miles between oil changes for the 2009+ corollas and I drive less than 600 miles a month. I want to do what is the most economical (money saving) but at the same time do what is beneficial for the engine (I want to be able to keep this car way past the 100k mark even further). I have heard something about acid in the oil eating away at the parts in the engine is this true?
Quick oil change question
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6 months should be fine. but you are right to be thinking about time and not just mileage. regular oil can break down with time, especially in colder climates, which is why storing years worth of regular oil may not be a good idea. synthetics tend to hold up better over time and mileage
I have kept synthetic engine oil in three years at a time in scooters driven less than a few hundred miles per year. Absolutely zero oil-related problems. Even after flushing the oil afterwards out of paranoia it came out in perfect condition. I would worry about other things if I used synthetic engine oil.
I think you would be okay changing just once per year if you use synthetic, presuming that your light use includes a continuous half-hour+ trip about once per week or so. But it sounds like it would be more like 9 months when you got to 5000 miles...
I change my oil on 5000 increments of the odometer, e.g. 250,000 then 255,000 then 260,000 and no longer than one year between changes (2002 Corolla though).
I change my oil on 5000 increments of the odometer, e.g. 250,000 then 255,000 then 260,000 and no longer than one year between changes (2002 Corolla though).
even once per two years your engine wont die but you should do it your self and put true synthetic oil, it will be much better than any random mech's dino oil (most will just shamelessly pour no brand name/cheapest 5w-30 non synthetic into everything they put their hands on, thats what's in the barrels)
I would make that an annual change, as long as you are using fully synthetic oil AND an extended life filter.
The extended life filter is made with a better filter mediun which is less prone to falling apart due to extended drain intervals [extended time in your case]. I use the K&N high performance filters.
The extended life filter is made with a better filter mediun which is less prone to falling apart due to extended drain intervals [extended time in your case]. I use the K&N high performance filters.
23 GR Corolla, 09 Corolla S Turbo 5MT, 17 Corolla iM 6MT, 89 MR2 SC, 06 Scion xB, 17 RAV4, 10 Prius
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I've always followed a 12 month or 5k mile oil change schedule on my cars, whichever comes first. As long as you use synthetic oil you will be fine.
Actually on the car care nut youtube channel, I have heard that fuel can mix with oil over time causing old oil (even if the vehicle is not driven) to get contaminated and break down naturally, and the next time the car is run, the contaminated oil can can cause carboning up of important components in the engine.
23 GR Corolla, 09 Corolla S Turbo 5MT, 17 Corolla iM 6MT, 89 MR2 SC, 06 Scion xB, 17 RAV4, 10 Prius
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This is a good reason to change the oil. He promotes changing the oil every 5k miles to make sure that any contaminates are removed from the engine.
23 GR Corolla, 09 Corolla S Turbo 5MT, 17 Corolla iM 6MT, 89 MR2 SC, 06 Scion xB, 17 RAV4, 10 Prius
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23,709 Posts
And for any 2.4L owners I would add that since the 2.4L has such an issue with the oil rings that I would always change it at 5k miles. When this has been done from new those engines haven't experienced the severe oil burning that many others do.
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