Engine oil changes.

[RICH1505]

My Haynes T25 manual suggests oil changes at 5000 miles or every six months if the mileage is less. I would imagine that few low-mileage vehicles have their oil changed as frequently as this, with oil the price it is. Many campers only do a couple of thousand miles a year.
But why the time factor? Oil in the tin does not have a use-by date. Is there a chemical process taking place within the engine which causes the oil to continue to deteriorate once the engine has been run, irrespective of running hours, or are these recommendations merely a means of increasing the sale of oil? I would be interested to hear members'views.

[itchyfeet]

Yes it deteriorates
its not so expensive really

free delivery
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/p/a ... &0&cc5_246" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AdrianC]

with oil the price it is. Many campers only do a couple of thousand miles a year.

Oil is _cheap_.

If you do "a couple of thousand miles a year", you're spending - oooh - £200 on insurance, £126 on tax disc, £50 on MOT. That's 15-20p/mile in fixed costs right there. Then there's fuel - another 20p/mile. Plus all the other costs... You could very easily and very quickly get to 60, even 70p/mile all in.

On top of that, what's another 1.5p/mile for a sump full of good quality insurance for your engine? If you're skimping on that, what other false economies are you making? Not changing the brake fluid every other year? Coolant?

[CovKid]

Trick is to plan ahead (also applies to tyres). One way to save without compromising is buying a years worth of oil changes when you see it at a price that is worth snapping up. Oil, like a new tyre, will always cost you a darned sight more if you have to buy it at a moments notice. You have to pay it anyway so planning ahead is worthwhile.

I've got my oil changes down to £30 a year now for two but I do buy ahead. Shelf life for oil is about two years - allegedly.

[itchyfeet]

I have often wondered about the oil filter?
only a few thousand miles the oil will degrade but the filter is surely good for many more miles, i wonder if it could just be emptied and refilled every other change so just one a year?

[Jakemate]

Mine had constant oil changes when the turbo seal were faulty, constantly getting topped up with new oil

[ghost123uk]

what other false economies are you making? Not changing the brake fluid every other year?

Note to self

[AdrianC]

I have often wondered about the oil filter?
only a few thousand miles the oil will degrade but the filter is surely good for many more miles, i wonder if it could just be emptied and refilled every other change so just one a year?

A filter is SIX QUID, ffs...

[RICH1505]

A couple of interesting points here.
(1) Is it better to use cheap oil and change often, or use good quality semi-synthetic and change less often?
(2) VW say their own coolant does not need to be changed, unless it shows obvious signs of deterioration.

[ermie571]

I have often wondered about the oil filter?
only a few thousand miles the oil will degrade but the filter is surely good for many more miles, i wonder if it could just be emptied and refilled every other change so just one a year?

A filter is SIX QUID, ffs...

Bit rude...the chap was only asking a question!

BUT>>> if it can be refilled....better to use than fill up landfill sites??

There's more to the world than how much it costs....

(and TBH I thought accepted practices was oil change was every 6,000 miles, with a filter every second change?)

Play nicely please folks!

Em
xx

[Titus A Duxass]

Every 5000 miles or twice a year oil and filter change bollox to the landfill look after your engine.

[itchyfeet]

I have often wondered about the oil filter?
only a few thousand miles the oil will degrade but the filter is surely good for many more miles, i wonder if it could just be emptied and refilled every other change so just one a year?

A filter is SIX QUID, ffs...

Missed the point entirely, i have plenty of money thanks and do change them but not everybody does and there are some tree huggers out there although im not one of them
Is there any technical reason why not was really my question?

[AdrianC]

I have often wondered about the oil filter?
only a few thousand miles the oil will degrade but the filter is surely good for many more miles, i wonder if it could just be emptied and refilled every other change so just one a year?

A filter is SIX QUID, ffs...

Missed the point entirely

Then my apologies. Since the thread had started off talking about oil being expensive, I assumed the question was to save money.

Is there any technical reason why not was really my question?

None whatsoever. The only reason to only change the filter every other oil change is to save a couple of quid.

[kevtherev]

A couple of interesting points here.
(1) Is it better to use cheap oil and change often, or use good quality semi-synthetic and change less often?
(2) VW say their own coolant does not need to be changed, unless it shows obvious signs of deterioration.

1. I use 20/50 mineral and change it to the book every six months.
2. coolant change every two years or your water jacket seal will eventually leak (Phosphate pitting)

[Jakemate]

Yep it's preventative maintainance to avoid future problems. I'd rather not take the gamble.
I also service my Mrs car every year regardless even though it specifies every 20000 miles or 2 yearly.