OCI age-old question

[trigger46]

I got moms 03 Buick Park Ave, 3.8, two yrs ago, with 97k mi, engine in very good condition.
I immediately changed oil using ac delco 10w30 syn-blend and new ac delco filter.
That was 2 yrs and 1,100 mi ago (dont drive it much) and that oil still looks nice and clean.
I've read plenty about OCI's but com'on should I actually drain out clean oil only to replace with more clean oil?
Any responses appreciated.

 

[Cripes]

Yes. I would replace oil and filter to get rid of contaminants.

 

[chemman]

I completely understand where you are coming from. We have a 1992 Olds 88 that gets driven maybe 500 miles a year. I have been using Havoline 10w30 in it since we purchased it in 1992 and the Purolator PureOne filters. I change the oil & filter in it yearly because I see the oil as being relatively inexpensive (I stocked up a bunch of buy 5 quarts of Havoline and an oil filter specials a few years ago) as compared to the engine.

In my other vehicles, I change the oil & filter every 12 months or 5000 miles using the same oil or 5w30.

Go with what you are comfortable with.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Did the 1100 miles include short trips, or was the engine (oil) fully warmed up each time it was driven? Personally, I'd change it either way, but if the oil was brought up to full temp every time you drove it, you could probably continue for awhile. Short trips? Change it for sure.

 

[trigger46]

Some of these runs are garage run-times but I always brought it up to road temp while testing the trans also.
Rd time is mostly about 40 mi round trip.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

You could send a sample to Blackstone. You'd know for sure.

 

[Leo99]

At 600 miles a year, what the worst that would happen if you never changed it ever again?

 

[ATex7239]

I’d change it.

Only way to know for sure is get a UOA. Which cost as much as changing it, soooo... I’d just change it. Or don’t. That GM 3800 can take it for than likely.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Yes definitely change it.

 

[spasm3]

Change it. I think that model may be in the range of the engines with the intake manifold coolant leaks.

 

[TiGeo]

I would leave it - it's fine.

 

[TiGeo]

At 600 miles a year, what the worst that would happen if you never changed it ever again?

This. The answer is nothing - it will be fine. It's a 20 year old Buick.

 

[circuitsmith]

I think 2 years is long enough, so change it.
Also change the brake fluid every 4 years, and coolant too if it's been a minute.

 

[Zaedock]

I might change it this year.

The oil in the Buick is fine. I would leave it.

 

[blupupher]

If you get the engine oil (not just coolant) up to temp each time you use it, then I would not change it.

If you were short tripping that 1100 miles, then I would change it for sure.

The main reason that oil is recommended to be changed at 1 year regardless of mileage is for those that are short trippers.
Short trips are much harder on oil due to fuel dilution and moisture/ acid buildup due to not getting up to temp.
So as said, if you are getting it up to temp most of the time, you should be fine.

All that said, you can do an oil change with Walmart Supertech Synthetic and a Supertech filter for <$20 and <30 minutes.

 

[Duffyjr]

First off judging the oil by they way it looks on the dipstick is misleading, I can almost guarantee if you drained it it would look a lot dirtier in the pan, but that doesn't mean the oil is spent either.

If it was my Buick I would change it.

 

[LDM]

I have 2 older Camaros that only get driven when its nice out. Rest of the time they sit in the garage, including all winter. I maybe put 1000 miles on them a year each. I do an oil change every 2 years. They don't really get much in the way of short trips as I usually take them out for longer drives most of the time though.

 

[Eddie]

If you drive the vehicle for 15+ miles per outing then no need to change it.

 

[farrarfan1]

So far the advice is that the oil needs to be changed and it does not need to be changed.

 

[blufeb95]

At this rate all the seals on the car will rot before that oil goes bad.