Need to change oil after 906 miles and 1 year?

[PaFromFL]

Over the past year, I've racked up only 906 miles. The Valvoline SynPower full synthetic oil looks, smells, and feels clean, and most of my trips were over 20 miles in warm/hot weather. Unused oil has a very long shelf life, but I'm not sure how long it takes slightly used oil to degrade over time. Does anyone have any solid information about this?

[silver6.0L]

I heard that once the seal is broken on the bottle that moisture starts to degrade the contents. Also most of the oil products say after a year to change it out regardless of mileage.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

He's right, you should change it after it's been in your motor for a year, even though the oil looks pretty new. I use the drain oil from my car as a cutting oil to lubricate drill bits and taps when I'm in my garage making custom parts. Seeing it's synthetic it withstands the heat better than regular oil and it extends the life of the tools.

[Devilish34]

If you only drive it less than 6k a year do yourself a favor and use conv oil.. I don't see any reason to use a syn oil.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

Better lubrication is the reason I use synthetic oil, not because it lasts longer, since I change it every 5000 miles anyway.

[-Ray-]

If you only drive it less than 6k a year do yourself a favor and use conv oil.. I don't see any reason to use a syn oil.

Agreed. You could have an oil analysis done and see how much service is left.

[PaFromFL]

Thanks for the advice. I also just noticed that my manual states "It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset."

[texn884]

Wow I put on that many miles in two days. I change mine every 8-10K running Royal Purple and the Royal Purple Oil Filter.

Send me the car and I will break it in for you and put on a good 30,000 miles in a 4 months.

I wish I could keep my car in the garage like you but mine is my daily driver and love it.

[Sephiroth]

If you only drive it less than 6k a year do yourself a favor and use conv oil.. I don't see any reason to use a syn oil.

I'm not sure anyone that puts 906 miles on a car per year would want to skip on $15-20 a year in something like oil..

I spend more in coffee in a week than that.

As for the OP, the reponses are correct. oxidation from being exposed to air will break down oil eventually. A year is probally okay, but if you ask anyone on BITOG, most would rather do 6months if we're not talking 906 miles of DD stop and go.

Thanks for the advice. I also just noticed that my manual states "It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset."

the GM oil life indicator is fairly accurate, and several people have noted that if driven casually, the service indicator *will* go 10-12,000 OCI's, which is the national yearly average for a car. black stone reports seem to indicate that it comes on the teetering edge of what's considered 'usable life' as far as TBN is concerned.

[AVIDMOTION]

I have a super techno oil change philosophy, I run regular oil on leases, old used cars etc. Cars I like and want to keep, I break in with regular oil, change oil and filter after 500-750 miles. I put in syn oil and run that brand in the viscosity recommended. I change my oil by color, brown and see through ok, black- I change it before you cant see through it. May be 3000 miles but usually around 5000-8000 miles. I would change it yearly for sure no matter the miles, because of the reasons already stated. I usually used Pennz oil syn. I also use Amsoil in the winter or for longer change intervals for convenience without losing the effectiveness. Just my opinion.