Oil change intervals

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

I drive for 6 months a year, try to miss the heat of summer and the winter rains down here along the gulf coast. It usually amounts to about 3 months in the spring and 3 months in the fall.

I change the oil at the end of each of those 3 month "driving seasons"...that way there is fresh oil sitting in the pan when I am ready to resume driving and I am not bothered with changing the oil before I can drive the car.

I don't care if I waste a bit of $$ changing my oil prematurely...this car is a dream come true for an old schoolteacher on a fixed retirement income, I like fiddling with it now and then and the expense of the supplies is diminished because I keep my eyes open for oil sales (usually very inexpensive and includes a filter) at the local automotive shops.

I had the valve covers off earlier this week...despite the drivetrain being from a 1989 Mustang GT, it looks factory fresh under the valve covers, no signs of ever having been neglected and forming sludge....I have no idea of total mileage, but in 3 years I have put 3,000 miles on it.

I would like to have the oil analyzed to get some info regarding how much wear the engine has suffered since it was put into service, but I tried to do this for my daughter when she bought a used car. None of the auto parts stores had the kits.

Patrick, you have a PM....

Cheers!

Dugly

That makes no sense. If anything, you should change the oil before you start driving. Why have new oil sitting in the pan collecting moisture and becoming contaminated?