Would you change the oil/filters after below ave use?
Discussion
My Audi (2006,C6 Estate -2.7 diesel quattro) has completed 1,742 miles since the last service (Sept 2021), current mileage a shade over 120,000. The last service was oil/filter change and was only done in a garage as I combined it with additional work on the wiper motors and central locking, I usually do the oil service myself.
Just checked the mileage, whereas previosuly I didn't care about the mileage, the last year has been exceptionally low, the only car I previously owned that got oil changed where mileage was not a factor but time, was my classic SAAB. Would you change it? My car is perfect mechanically and only kept because its comfortable and great for long trips or a tip run, but I'm not precious about it.
Just checked the mileage, whereas previosuly I didn't care about the mileage, the last year has been exceptionally low, the only car I previously owned that got oil changed where mileage was not a factor but time, was my classic SAAB. Would you change it? My car is perfect mechanically and only kept because its comfortable and great for long trips or a tip run, but I'm not precious about it.
Edited by Harji on Monday 14th November 09:48
Edited by Harji on Monday 14th November 09:49
Ideally you'd do it anyway based on time but in reality if it's got good quality oil in it it's not going to hurt it.
Water via condensation can dissolve into the oil and use up the base, the oil eventually turns acidic and starts eating the engine from the inside. But with a good oil with a high TBN in reality it's not going to be a problem.
Water via condensation can dissolve into the oil and use up the base, the oil eventually turns acidic and starts eating the engine from the inside. But with a good oil with a high TBN in reality it's not going to be a problem.
If that was my car and had done that mileage (both in total and since last oil change) then personally no, I wouldn't bother.
I suppose arguably if it's always done short journeys never getting the oil hot to evaporate off the moisture content, then maybe I'd consider it, but personally no, the car will be fine, I don't think it's worth the time / money vs impact it'll have on its lifespan.
I suppose arguably if it's always done short journeys never getting the oil hot to evaporate off the moisture content, then maybe I'd consider it, but personally no, the car will be fine, I don't think it's worth the time / money vs impact it'll have on its lifespan.
I change my oil & filters twice a year; I may do c4-5k miles, if that
I'm not fussed re the longevity etc; I just want peace of mind that the cars running on the freshest oil possible
Oil & filter, x2 changes a year, for me is less than one tank of VPower; so to me, it makes sense
Horses for courses etc
I'm not fussed re the longevity etc; I just want peace of mind that the cars running on the freshest oil possible
Oil & filter, x2 changes a year, for me is less than one tank of VPower; so to me, it makes sense
Horses for courses etc
Harji said:
Thanks all, I tend to do mainly long but not often journeys in it, with the occasional short tip run.
This bit, for me, is the key...You're clearly worried enough to ask, and if you take it on a long trip and something avoidable happens a long way from home then you'll kick yourself - even if the problem isn't related to the lack of oil change, you'll probably still link the two in your mind for a while.
The longer trips make it less of an urgent thing in my mind, but do they in yours?
The question is, what price that little bit of peace of mind? Is the cost of fresh oil and filter (and an hour or two of your weekend) worth paying to not have to think about it again for a while?
Generally/personally speaking, I'd probably just do it and get the thought banished - whether I knew I was being ott or not.
Its a 16 year old car thats done next to no miles on probably what is quality synthetic oil.
Realistically its past its normal lifespan (versus most cars) and it wont be the engine failing due to lack of oil changes that gets it, probably an MOT that needs more spending than its worth, major component failure (not down to lubricants) or a bump, or you just flog it on.
Its a trade off, I tend to do mine each years at home on a warm day, I will on occasion let a car slip a year if its done little mileage.
When you come to sell them it helps but as long as its has some evidence of oil changes that satisfies most buyers, some dont even look and most low ball you regardless.
Depends how long you intend to keep it, how much its worth etc, and if you get something out of changing it more often then crack on but pound to a penny, wont make that much difference in the long run if you defer it until say the spring.
I there is a middle ground between a 1970s, 20W50 mineral oil Hillman Hunter mindset and OEMs courting fleet managers with overly long intervals.
This will all seem so arcane in a few years, changing oil, will sound like scrubbing the step with a Donkey Stone or having gas lights.
Electric motors not needing 5 to 10 litres of oil frequently is a good thing, thats a lot of oil with 32 million cars if they all have a service of 5 litres once a year or so !
Realistically its past its normal lifespan (versus most cars) and it wont be the engine failing due to lack of oil changes that gets it, probably an MOT that needs more spending than its worth, major component failure (not down to lubricants) or a bump, or you just flog it on.
Its a trade off, I tend to do mine each years at home on a warm day, I will on occasion let a car slip a year if its done little mileage.
When you come to sell them it helps but as long as its has some evidence of oil changes that satisfies most buyers, some dont even look and most low ball you regardless.
Depends how long you intend to keep it, how much its worth etc, and if you get something out of changing it more often then crack on but pound to a penny, wont make that much difference in the long run if you defer it until say the spring.
I there is a middle ground between a 1970s, 20W50 mineral oil Hillman Hunter mindset and OEMs courting fleet managers with overly long intervals.
This will all seem so arcane in a few years, changing oil, will sound like scrubbing the step with a Donkey Stone or having gas lights.
Electric motors not needing 5 to 10 litres of oil frequently is a good thing, thats a lot of oil with 32 million cars if they all have a service of 5 litres once a year or so !
ChocolateFrog said:
Water via condensation can dissolve into the oil and use up the base, the oil eventually turns acidic and starts eating the engine from the inside. But with a good oil with a high TBN in reality it's not going to be a problem.
Do you have a source for that? Not in a "calling BS" way, I'm just interested.Mrs V.'s car has covered 747 miles between MOTs. It gets serviced around the same time too. My mechanic says there's no point in doing it and to service it next year. The oil is still light gold colour. The car is now c 14/15 years old, isn't going to be sold anytime soon and doesn't need a comprehensive service record.
vikingaero said:
Mrs V.'s car has covered 747 miles between MOTs. It gets serviced around the same time too. My mechanic says there's no point in doing it and to service it next year. The oil is still light gold colour. The car is now c 14/15 years old, isn't going to be sold anytime soon and doesn't need a comprehensive service record.
747 miles, made me think you meant like airliner mileage 
Sensible approach.
vikingaero said:
Mrs V.'s car has covered 747 miles between MOTs. It gets serviced around the same time too. My mechanic says there's no point in doing it and to service it next year. The oil is still light gold colour. The car is now c 14/15 years old, isn't going to be sold anytime soon and doesn't need a comprehensive service record.
Thats the approach I have, even if my area of London goes ULEZ I'll keep it as the frequancy of use means the ULEZ costs will still be better than buying a newer car (I dont intend to move sideways on the next purchase), I've had it for 5 years now and any potential future buyer will know it runs sweet. donkmeister said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Water via condensation can dissolve into the oil and use up the base, the oil eventually turns acidic and starts eating the engine from the inside. But with a good oil with a high TBN in reality it's not going to be a problem.
Do you have a source for that? Not in a "calling BS" way, I'm just interested.I only have a passing interest in tribology, I've read a few white papers on the subject, might have been commissioned by AMSOIL I can't recall exactly.
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