I change my oil on my own with Mobil one 5w-30 synthetic and a mobil one oil filter. I have not changed my oil since September since my car is at school and I have not had a chance to go back home to NY. I have only driven 1800 miles since then, which mostly consisted of my two trips from NY to DC. I am going to be driving back home to NY in another month. Do you think its necessary for me to change my oil before I go back home (300mile trip)? I check the dipstick everytime and the oil is still full and looks very clean. I hate taking my car to the mechanic for the oil change because I don't trust them from the experiences I've had. What are your thoughts?

 

The TBN of your oil is probably just about used up and you may have increased fuel and water in the oil from short trip driving. That said, it's probably fine to drive home, however, the final say is from UOA (used oil analysis). Do one and let us know your results

 

Wow....7+ months, that's a long time. Since you use quality synthetic and filters you're probably alright driving home since it's clean. Change it once you get home, that is a long time between changes!

 

I have the same problem being at school and all. I've been changing mine about every 5 months however.. with only 1500-2000 miles on it

 

How would I do UOA? Generally, I change my oil in December when I am home, another time in May, and then again in September before I leave for school. I just didn't have the time this winter. I put no more than 4-5k miles on my G a year. I have been using this oil change routine on my 98' Volvo C70 T5 and that car has reached 147k miles and is still running good. I am just worried because I didn't do the oil change in December. BTW, my G is an 2004.5 5AT coupe with 40k miles if that make any difference. Is the oil change interval listed above proper for someone driving 4-5k miles a year? Thanks for the help.

 

May I suggest following a simple plan - 6 months or 6k miles, whichever occurs first.

Track days excepted.

 

I pretty much go by something like that... except it's more like 6 months or 3800 miles, whichever comes first.... and that's assuming I use German Castrol 0W30.

 

https://g35driver.com/forums/g35-cou...hange-oil.html

check out my thread

 

Miles driven of course.

 

I go by 6 months max as well since I only put about 5k on my car per year, and use either Mobil 1 5W30 or German Castrol (depending on whether I'm able to get to Autozone or not).

 

Eugene, isn't the shelf life of a good synth about a year? Assuming you do drive it once in a while.

Though I agree with Fan, 6 months or 6k miles is a good guideline.

 

you'll be fine..

 

You think most dealership change oil when it just sitting in the car lot for years?