1950s Oil Change yearly - only driven 1,000 miles

[Patrick Fant]

I am sure this has been asked and answered but is it true that a yearly oil change is recommended regardless of how few miles the car has been driven - like only 1000 miles in the year?  Still good to change oil?  Also - Differential fluid change every 5 years still sound right? Pat Fant

[TJ Hopland]

Ambient conditions could have an effect on things but the bigger factor is how did those 1000 miles get put on?  If that is 100 10 mile trips might still be a good idea because in 10 miles your not gonna get things good an hot for long enough to cook off moisture in the oil.   20 50 mile trips would be better and maybe safer to go longer.   

Rear end 5 years 5,000 miles is probably overkill.  Rear end doesn't get contaminated and see the same fairly fast temperature swings like an engine does.       

[Jim Miller]

I change the oil annually. Oil, grease, and check all fluids. Coolant every two years. I consider it inexpensive insurance and it's an  opportunity to give everything a good look. I work on it over the winter so I'm ready to go by spring.

[Patrick Fant]

Thanks for the perspective on this.  So appreciated.  Yes these were 10 mile trips - a couple of 25s maybe.  Car doesn't get a change to get all worked up before wee are home again. Doing the oil change next week.  pat

[TJ Hopland]

If your car has an off season its best to do it before storage.  IF you did it at the start of the season all the crap and water will have settled to the bottom of the pan and either rot out the pan or just solidify.   If its fresh when it goes into storage a lot of the crap should be suspended in the oil and will then get drained out along with the moisture. 

[Jim Miller]

When I change the oil I put some Marvel Mystery oil in and give the cars a good run or just run the engine till good and warm. Then drain.

[TJ Hopland]

Yes getting it warm so it flows better is just a bonus, the main reason you want to run it is so the contaminants are suspended in the oil that you are draining out. 

[Michael Petti]

Absolutely change the oil and filter each year. Engine should be hot so all crud is suspended in the oil and will drain out and do it prior to winter storage if you do that. I used to wonder why the new oil I'd put in was dirty within a few days. Since I started doing this it doesn't get dirty at all in my classic and not until time for a change in my drivers. I even do it on my lawn mower which is 23 years old.

[Lexi]

Ditto on the above. Even with low miles, you want to change the oil to also get moisture & corrosives out of the system, that may have accumulated. I do mine about every 500 - 700 miles, so a few times a year. Much more frequent oil changes with a freshly rebuilt engine. Clay/Lexi

[David Greenburg]

I have always subscribed to the church of annual changes, regardless of mileage, at least on my old cars, like the Caddy's. Newer old cars, running on synthetic I'll go longer and pay more attention to mileage. I've always viewed oil changes as cheap insurance.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Years ago I did an oil change on the plane and I didn't have the chance to warm it up first.
It has a quick drain on it so I was able to open it slightly and just get a little oil out without making a mess.
I got out about half a shotglass of water out of it.

Now I know they are different engines, and different oils, but the principle is the same. Oil gets crap in it and it needs to be drained every once in a while.
Annually is the easiest.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I've known cars that were undriven that hadn't gotten an oil change is as many as 20 years or more. All were perfectly fine once they were put back on the road (with a fresh oil change). What's the difference if the oil sits on a shelf or in the oil pan of a car that's not driven?

Modern oils are also far more resistant to breakdown from heat than in the past. Oil life indicators more modern cars (not just those that require synthetic oil) will barely register a blip in oil life when not driven. Only under adverse conditions; ie: short trips in cold weather, prolonged idling times (such as is often the case with emergency vehicles) or driving in excessively dusty conditions should more frequent oil changes be warranted. The most knowledgeable automotive experts I've heard were nearly unanimous that oil lasts a lot longer in typical use than many people give it credit for. But do whatever makes you happy.

[LaSalle5019]

It really depends on the amount of moisture in the oil. Water in oil quickly degrades it. Without being able to test the oil for moisture content and condition, I just change it. I used to feel like I was being wasteful (environmentally) but it all gets recycled nowadays so I change my oil often and don't worry about it.