Will or should low mileage oil change standards change related to warranties 5,000/6mo? Most of all with today’s quality of engines and oil is this a real need? I averaged 3,000 a yr since retirement and changed every July. With my new to me 07, Certified T4R, V6, 2WD plus an extended warranty the schedule is 5,000/6mo. I did 2,000 the 1st 6mo but only 1,000 this 2nd 6mo (due to the North, TX drought and no fishing/etc). Chancing the Castrol GTX 5-30 blend oil and filter at 1,000 mi seems excessive and a waste. BUT! I was surprised at the dirty color the oil appeared compared to new.

I saw in CA that they were trying to get people onboard with the new higher standards vs the old 3,000 mi or once a year. BUT! Stay with the Manufactures schedule and it is the MFG’s schedule I have questions about. Plus it appears the Dealers want to see you sooner than the MFG’s schedule in many cases. jow

You MUST maintain the oil-change interval spelled out in the owners manual or you run the risk any warranty claims being denied.

Just by looking at oil you cannot tell the viscosity or the amount of dirt trapped in it. Even new oil direct from the barrel is contaminated. If I were you, I would take a sample to have it tested the next time you change oil. It still scares me at those intervals because things break over a six month time period or come loose. You may just want to change the filter between oil changes. I have seen a Crown Victoria go two years without an oil change at 3000 miles and a Ford Contour make it a year at 1000 miles. Both used conventional oil and both needed new engines at that point.