How many months/years for oil and other fluids?

"Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
03/12/2020 at 16:08 • Filed to: None

For cars that do less than 3 thousand miles a year, do you change oil yearly? What about coolant, brake fluid, etc?

DISCUSSION (15)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 16:40

I’d change the oil annually. Brake fluid’s big enemy is moisture so it really depends on how/where it’s stored. And does coolant even go bad? Not sure about transmission fluid or oil in things like transfer cases or differentials.

Also, cute pupper! She’s getting so big! And isn’t that the Taco Bamba shopping center?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 16:42

I change oil annually and I’ve drive about 3000-5000 miles a year.

Cash Rewards > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/12/2020 at 16:46

I don’t think I cracked a thousand in the miata

FSI > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 16:47

The less you drive the sooner and more frequent the oil should be changed. The risk of the oil thinning and eventually not lubricating is high with many cold engine starts and few miles driven. Brake fluid on the other hand is good for two years or even three if the car is rarely used. No idea about coolant though. Never changed mine but only topped up.

Cash Rewards > FSI
03/12/2020 at 16:48

Awesome info, thanks

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 16:49

At that point just keep an eye on the quality and maybe do it every other year. I will be driving my datsun around 2,000 miles a year but that is about right for an oil change on a 1970 car that gets driven hard.

Cash Rewards > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/12/2020 at 16:51

She is getting big! And the center right next to it, yeah. God I love taco Bamba. We’re about a mile and a half away. We go often.

The problem is two fold. One, I get all give a mouse a cookie with the Miata. . It gets stored outside, I’ve had it for a couple years, never completely drained the brake fluid. But if I do, well, I might as well swap lines to go braided stainless. And then slotted rotors while everything is off....

Second, I'm getting my driveway redone Tuesday. So what can I get done on the old one before then?

E90M3 > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 17:18

Oil isn't expensive, I'd change it yearly. I did around 1k last year in the M3 and had it changed.

Cash Rewards > E90M3
03/12/2020 at 17:30

I don't know, man, the guy at the parts store was trying to sell me some pretty prices stuff for the Leaf. Oil, blinker fluid...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 17:48

I change the oil and other stuff according to what the Maintenance Minder in my Honda tells me to do.

For oil changes, that works out to once every 9000-11,000km for me. Cold weather seems to cause the maintenance minder to consider the oil to be ‘used up’ faster.

Apparently it takes speed, engine and ambient temperature, time and the vehicle use into account.

Cash Rewards > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
03/12/2020 at 18:32

Yeah, I treat my wife's pilot the same. But my 01 Miata and my 06 tundra get very few miles, it'd be years between changes

Gerry197 > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 18:54

That depends on the oil and where you live. Say regular dino oil and live in state with an actual winter and freezing weather? Then I would do once a year, even with very low mileage.

But full synthetic and temperate zone, say 70 degree average Cali, then I would go beyond year and base it on mileage.

One of my old cars only gets about 500 - 750 miles a year, I finally changed it after 3 years and 1,500 miles. Oil analysis showed the oil had plenty of life left and probably could have gone another year or longer.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 21:11

I can’t wait to meet her, but I guess no CnC for a while?

I love the Bamba as well. El Tios is my local jam, but any time I’m in Vienna I stop in.

Regarding the car, I say go for it, do as much as you can! I mean, you don't have to worry about messing the driveway up.

facw > Cash Rewards
03/12/2020 at 21:19

I always try to do oil twice a year regardless of mileage. I think once a year would be in spec, but I’ve had concerns about doing it like that, especially with conventional oil.

I think Volvo’s spec for brake fluid is 3 years (though as little as one for harsh conditions).

Don’t recall what it was for coolant.

I take it the manufacturer maintenance schedule doesn’t list times, just miles?

Cash Rewards > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/12/2020 at 21:31

Shit, yeah I guess no Katie’s for a bit. I ha d been looking to go this weekend or next. Oh well. Hopefully this clears up soon.