Oil change question.

I have a 96 Crown Vic... I am 16, so in the 6 months since I changed the oil, I've only driven it about 900 miles. However, when should I change it? Base it on miles (until I reach about 3000 miles) or change it soon based on time?

Miles. The oil is 65 million years old unless it is synthetic. Some say the additives go bad, but I put CRAZY miles on all of my cars and never had an oil related issue. Sometimes this is after they have sat for a couple of months and then straight to the highway.

the only thing that eventually goes bad with oil from sitting is that it can get dust and rust in it, but it takes quite awhile to get that much dust and rust to make a difference.

Actually no,

900 miles in six months, sounds like you either hardly ever drive it, or just drive it down the block to pick up some groceries (granny style, sorry.) Although the additive package probably hasn't changed much since you put it in, there can be other problems, condensation, oxidation, fuel dilution, etc. although most manufacturers suggest changing it every 3k miles or 3 months, this is because most people drive under severe service conditions. There is also the normal service interval of six months, 6k miles. I don't know enough about your situtation to determine your driving style/service interval, but i would probably go ahead and change the oil anyway. It's better to change it now to insure the life of your engine rather than waiting and exposeing your engine to possible risk.

my teacher told a story of a car he did a oil change on, it was some ford or lincoin, it was 3 years since the last oil change but only 3000 miles, the oil was completely sluged. remember it 3 months or 3000 miles, whichever one comes first, not whichever one you choose.

I would at least check the condition of your oil. You may be fine for while, or you may not. If it looks good still, then I would say your fine. If it doesn't look to healthy, change it.

my teacher told a story of a car he did a oil change on, it was some ford or lincoin, it was 3 years since the last oil change but only 3000 miles, the oil was completely sluged. remember it 3 months or 3000 miles, whichever one comes first, not whichever one you choose.


Yes this is the rule. I do not recall ever following this rule. I am gainning knowledge by always running my oil to 7000-10000 miles.:slap: My 89 Cavi has 300,000. My 94 has 175,000. and my 98 Buick has 104,000. None of these cars burn or leak oil. They all run smoothly and have good compression. I do not recommend anyone do this. It is just that I drive a lot of miles and do not have time to do 3 oil changes every other month. These are stock engines that not driven hard. Also we have few temperature changes here in Florida so maybe that helps.

how about a '97 cavilier with 64,000miles and only had the oil changed once at 38,000miles.... well that is when we got rid of it....but the engine was fine...the car is just a pile of shit. and people say domestics last longer.

No car will last long when you don't change the oil for 38k miles.

Even I have not gone that far! Cavaliers seem to last very well. My 94 looks and drives like new. The tranny, suspension, and steering are still tight, and the engine has good power for a 2.2 litre. The only real issue is the wear on the drivers seat and carpet. So I use a slip cover on the seat(how cool?)

What type of oil are you using? Where do you live (climate/ environment has an effect!) How does the oil look AND feel?!!! Use common sense.

I would think that changing oil and filter at 1800 mile / 1 year intervals and using a non-synthetic(cheap) 10w-something would probably be just fine in your situation.

BTW, I WALK FURTHER EACH YEAR THAN YOU DRIVE!!!