Will or should low mileage oil change standards change related to warranties 5,000/6m

[jow]

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

 

[MikeInNH]

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

 

[FireTruckGuy]

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.