I have an '01 996tt and drive it about 2,500 miles per year, using Mobil 1 synthetic 0w-40. Last year I did the "annual low mileage service" including the oil change and some inspections.

Do I need to change the oil again this year (annual basis), or can I wait until I put more mileage on this current oil (maybe another year?)? I figure it's synthetic and should last longer? Opinions please.

 

I would change oil at least once a year regardless of mileage

 

1000 miles...

 

the more you change the better, not a place to try to save on, well worth the time and/or money. easy DIY job.

 

My independent recommends at least once per year regardless of mileage.

 

Thank you for all the replies. I will get it done.

 

ehhhh, I don't buy it......does anyone have any evidence that would show why someone would need to change their synthetic oil once a YEAR on a car that is driven 200 miles a month? That sounds like changing your tires regardless of the miles on them every 2 or three years....

Chris

 

Actually the rubber in tires does start to deteriorate at about 4 years. No one really knows the answer, but it is just so low cost to change the oil (remove potential contaminants)...why not?

 

great example, ya just answered your own question!!

 

Uhhhh, no I didn't.....how do you figure? Do YOU change the tires on ALL your cars regardless of how worn they are every couple of years?

 

Apparently not true.......just got some great info off Goodyears website.....for low usage owners.....(they cite R.V. owners) the average for replacing tires before they are low tread is 7 years......website is pretty clear that if the physical condition is good (ie: no cracking, splitting, etc) you are good to go.

Chris

http://www.goodyear.com/rv/tirecare/tire_age.html

 

You don't drive your car harder than an RV?

Most of us who do track days won't use a set of R compounds more than a year old even if they only have a couple of events on them.

I've had a 2000 mile a year car for the last 10 years and the first thing I do every year is change the oil.

 

http://www.formulavtraction.com/

 

So you change out your tires regardless of the physical condition once a year? So if you only run ONE event you still change them out? See, Im thinking its a wear issue.......if you've gotten the "Most" out of them...which IS the first couple of events ... you change them out because they aren't 100% anymore....their performance is deteriorating.....NOT because they are a year old...unless you would change them after one event after a year.....why would oil be different? Until someone tells me otherwise......I believe that if you took samples from two cars...the physical properties of synthetic would still be exactly the same regardless if you drive the one car 2000 miles in a week an the other 2000 miles in a year. And assuming they are....isn't that like saying you won't buy mobil one that was manufactured in 2006?

Chris

 

You want to know the answer?

Draw a sample of the oil and send it to Terry Dyson at Dyson Analysis- he'll tell you how the oil is doing. www.dysonanalysis.com


On my current car I sample the oil with each change- after a few changes you'll know what is going on with YOUR driving and YOUR engine... you can adjust from there.

With little driving one could envision very rich start ups leading to fuel dilution and oil breakdown over months when the fuel is not heated and evaporated out of the oil. So in fact it could be WORSE than a regularly driven car!


Who knows?

Everyone is guessing.

Personally I'd change it once a year AND do the analysis...

Adam