Is it ok to change Engine Oil after longer durations??? CT Scott please advice too

[tyrone_yaris]

Hi,

The engine oil I use in my Toyota Belta is a synthetic oil (Shell Helix HX7) and its recommended mileage change interval is at 6,000 kms.

It's been about 8 months (Aug 2013) since my last oil change but I've only driven about 4,000 kms till todate.

I was told that its ok to change it at 5,000 kms keeping in mind the hot dusty climates here in our city/country here in Karachi, Pakistan.

Would appreciate your advice / suggestions please.

Thanks

Tyrone

[MyzticZ3r0]

I'd advise you to change the oil + filter. It seems like you only drive short distances; therefore, more contaminants. It's 5,000 miles or every six months. I'd be more worried about your filter as opposed to your oil - if the filter isn't doing it's job, the engine will suffer. You didn't specify if the filter had a recommended interval chance, but why be fugal when it comes to the engine?

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks for the reply. I guess you have a valid explanation.

The filter I use is a Thai make but am not sure how many kms.

[CTScott]

With oil changes I still run with what father drilled into me as a child - 3000 miles or 6 months, which ever comes first. I use synthetic oil, so I let myself go a bit longer to 4000 miles or about 9 months, but with 4 vehicles I can choose to drive (and the fact that I work from my home) I often hit the 6 month mark prior to the miles. My 2011 Tacoma only has 5000 miles on it and it has had three oil changes.

[tyrone_yaris]

So CTScott, is it ok if i change at 9 months or 6,000 kms in my case?

[CTScott]

So CTScott, is it ok if i change at 9 months or 6,000 kms in my case?

I would say yes, particularly since it sounds like you will typically hit the 9 months before the 6,000 km.

[why?]

You should change it now, especially if it is a very dusty climate. 6 months is really as long as you should go unless you use a full synthetic that states it can go longer.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks CTScott & why?

@Why?, when I mean dusty, its not like the desert dusty climate, but its quite smoky at times due to high pollution as compared to other cities. :)

[WingIt]

I would be more worried about changing the air filter than the oil due to dusty conditions. 9 months/6000kms is excessive, I would say every 12 months or 10,000kms is just fine, many new cars have service intervals of 12,000kms and they run the same oil.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks WingIT

Mine is a 2007 model and I make sure to change the air filter regularly.

[frambach]

I'm going to second a good air filter regimen.

Did you know the most important filter on your vehicle is your air filter? It's true.

A used oil analysis will really tell you what's going on inside your engine. I've done oil analysis and seen excessive silicon numbers in the oil. High silicon numbers lead to excessive wear metals (such as iron and aluminum) in the oil. As a general rule, when silicon numbers come back high, that means there's a problem with the air being supplied to the motor. Either there's a vacuum leak or the air filter itself isn't doing it's job.

As far as your oil goes, I don't see a problem at all with going the full 6k on it. It will be HIGHLY unlikely that your oil filter is at capacity unless you're using a cheap, junky, low-grade, cellulose oil filter. So, you can most likely rule out the oil filter being 'used up'.

I say all that to close with this; in your case mileage isn't the confining issue. Me personally, I wouldn't go over a 6 month interval on the oil without doing a used oil analysis based on your living conditions and driving habits.

[frambach]

With oil changes I still run with what father drilled into me as a child - 3000 miles or 6 months, which ever comes first. I use synthetic oil, so I let myself go a bit longer to 4000 miles or about 9 months, but with 4 vehicles I can choose to drive (and the fact that I work from my home) I often hit the 6 month mark prior to the miles. My 2011 Tacoma only has 5000 miles on it and it has had three oil changes.

CTScott, feel free to stop wasting resources, time, and money unless you really like changing oil. :smile:

Don't just take it from me...
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.phtml?mktcat=maintenance-article&kw=stop+changing+your+oil&mktid=ob61762858&msite=w#understanding-numbers

You could EASILY go to once a year oil changes with AMSOIL. Pick the time of the year that best for you and just say 'every June, I change my oil in all my cars' and done!