How often do you change your oil if you use full synthetic oil? We have a Chevy 6.0 gasoline engine. We are putting Mobil 1 synthetic oil into it and are finding differing requirements. Some say go by miles, others say if you don't put on that many miles change it every year.We only drive it 2000 to 3000 miles per year. Can we really wait for 7000 miles or more to change it or should it be done every year? My thinking is why go synthetic if you have to do it every year anyway?

IMO if you only do 3k miles a year, you should still change the oil and filter annually. At the same time, there is no valid reason to pay for higher priced synthetics. Use the oil spec suggested by your manufacturer, and do a once a year oil change, lube (if appropriate), fluid checks, tire inspection.

“How often do you change your oil if you use full synthetic oil?”Whenever Chevrolet says “change the oil” on the truck. On the very low mileage 2018 Equinox, when Chevrolet says “change the oil’…about every year.

With that little mileage once a year is needed.With that said I change my oil every 4K with Mobil 1. Yes it is overkill, but I have never had an issue. I really wouldn’t want to wait for 7k-10k miles.

I disagree. You can extend the time but ONLY IF THE ENGINE GETS USED !Biggest problem with any engine oil is water contamination. Water gets into the oil, when you do a lot of short trips. Once every month or two, take a highway trip of at least 30 minutes, 60 is better. The oil will be sufficiently hot that any moisture will be gone.Not sure if I would push it past 2 years.

Oil changes with synthetic | Good Sam Community

pasusan
Explorer
Mar 16, 2022
OP here - thanks guys for the replies!

I think I see the reasoning for every year if you don't put too many miles on - thinking that the driving is all short duration...

Our 3000 miles are all trips - long distance highway miles. I think we should be safe with every 2 years.

Correct me if I'm wrong. :)
specta
Explorer
Mar 16, 2022
Change it.
Once a year is nothing.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2022
Only real way to know if you can do extended oil changes is doing an oil analysis.

Contact Blackstone Labs they will send you postage paid kit.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2022
I disagree. You can extend the time but ONLY IF THE ENGINE GETS USED !

Biggest problem with any engine oil is water contamination. Water gets into the oil, when you do a lot of short trips. Once every month or two, take a highway trip of at least 30 minutes, 60 is better. The oil will be sufficiently hot that any moisture will be gone.

Not sure if I would push it past 2 years.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2022
With that little mileage once a year is needed.

With that said I change my oil every 4K with Mobil 1. Yes it is overkill, but I have never had an issue. I really wouldn’t want to wait for 7k-10k miles.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Mar 16, 2022
^^^ Agreed...
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2022
“How often do you change your oil if you use full synthetic oil?”

Whenever Chevrolet says “change the oil” on the truck. On the very low mileage 2018 Equinox, when Chevrolet says “change the oil’…about every year.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2022
IMO if you only do 3k miles a year, you should still change the oil and filter annually. At the same time, there is no valid reason to pay for higher priced synthetics. Use the oil spec suggested by your manufacturer, and do a once a year oil change, lube (if appropriate), fluid checks, tire inspection.

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