Oil change

Tiny
BOBZANI
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 5,600 MILES
My car is six years old. I drive less than 1,000 miles a year. (Really) Do I need to change oil yearly? My manual says after 7,500 miles (Dexos).
Saturday, May 5th, 2018 AT 7:45 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,474 POSTS
Yes. The reason is that oil does more than lubricate the engine. When it it running the blow-by combustion gases that enter the crankcase mix into the oil. Plus as it sets without running there will be condensation that forms from the temperature changes around the engine. That also gets into the oil as well as causing internal rust from the engine oil draining back into the pan leaving bare metal exposed. The combination of the chemicals in the oil and the time creates a mix that becomes acidic and that speeds corrosion as well. The minimum I would change the oil would be yearly regardless of mileage just to flush the contaminants out. Another option would be to run the car more, setting for long periods can do more to hurt the vehicle than driving it. Just starting it up and going for a twenty minute drive to circulate the oils in the engine and transmission and scrubbing the surface rust off the brakes and bringing the battery up to full charge from setting will do a lot to keep the car in better shape.

As an example, you will probably need tires soon, they age and after six years it is recommended they be changed just to avoid failure from the degradation of the rubber.
Same with the belts and hoses. They will look good because of the materials used, then they suddenly fail without warning.
Some of this can be slowed if the vehicle is stored in a climate controlled area but not many have that option.
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Saturday, May 5th, 2018 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
BOBZANI
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Thanks, I will certainly do it then.
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Saturday, May 5th, 2018 AT 9:52 AM

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