What is more important 3,000 miles or 3 months?

[FTLOSM]

I rarely drive my marquis, the last oil change was DUE Feb 1st yet I only had 400 miles on the car as of today June 18th.

So that last oil change was in Dec 05 and was due for oil change Feb 06 or in 3,000 miles, of course being June and having only driven 400 miles on it since Dec of 05, I am starting to get freaked out about it.

Is the oil in there out dated due to age or am I still somewhat ok since its only been 400 miles.

I hate to go waste another $25-$30 for an oil change if I don't need it but I also don't want to screw something up if I let it go even longer (hope I haven't done any damage currently), I just don't drive it often enough I guess and was hoping for some input on this from some here who may know.

The oil was standard grade regular oil from jiffy lube (whatever they use) I think it is penzoil but don't quote me - but it is not synthetic.

[fredjacksonsan]

A hard question to answer with regular oil. But hopefully when you do get out for a drive, it's a long one and you get everything nice and hot. My dad has an old pickup truck, he doesn't drive more than 3-4K per year, if that, and just changes the oil every 6 months (well, since he's nearly 80 I change it for him).

In your situation, not driving much, you're probably better off putting in a good synthetic oil....with low miles per year, you could probably change it once a year and be just fine.

[richter111]

the acids that are produced as a by product of combustion are the reason for the 3K or 3 month changes.

I personally change my oil ever 3K or 3 months. Never had any problems out of my motors.

Ric

[way2old]

Originally Posted by richter111

the acids that are produced as a by product of combustion are the reason for the 3K or 3 month changes.

I personally change my oil ever 3K or 3 months. Never had any problems out of my motors.

Ric

100% agree with this post.

[twospirits]

Excellent Thread, one that I've wondered about myself as well. So basically one should change it every 3 months or every 3K which ever comes first. Good to know.

TS out (getting an oil change)

[fredjacksonsan]

I agree also, I always changed my oil every 2500 miles and never had a problem. Recently however (and not to be contrary, but rather to start a discussion) I've been doing some research about longer oil change intervals. I've seen some good information on www.bobistheoilguy.com; not advertising for them but listing as a reference.

Although the acids do build up after time, I understand that the oil can be run longer IF it can handle it. Depends on the oil and the vehicle. Oil analysis is supposed to show what is going on on the inside of your engine.

Thoughts?

[way2old]

Good point fredjackson. It would be ideal if there were a quick on site analysis that could be done. I dont have any personal or professional dealings with synthetics so i will not offer an opinion. Would like to see a thread somewhere that completely etails both sides. Will go to the link you posted and see what he has to say.

[glasser3]

ive been told by more then one mechanic that it is okay to run your oil longer then 3 months and 3k ... a close friend of mine who is a master certified mechanic told me he personally runs his oil 6k -7k with out a problem