6 replies to this topic

[Steam]

Why is there a time factor in oil change frequencies as well as a distance. Surely oil does not deteriorate appreciably over time.

[Spider]

Apparently the additives do have a shelf life.

[Shooter63]

If you search on YouTube for a channel called The oil Geek which is run by a guy called Lake Speed ( real name and a great one at that) he tests oils in every possible way, I'm pretty sure he did one on oil shelf life, all his content is fact based and test proven. The guy can get on your t#ts a bit but stick with it and the knowledge is there.

Shooter

[Steve220]

How I understood it is the oil has additives to remove the carbon which slowly makes it acidic. I usually change mine every 1000 miles or every year at the latest (usually before storage).

[and90cooper]

For the sake of 30 quid or so I’m happy to change the oil every year-probably only do around 1500 miles but considering the gearbox shares the oil with the engine it’s well worth it imo

[Ethel]

If you do fewer miles you're likely to do more of them with cold oil, in lower gears with more acceleration & gear changes. I look at it as just 2 different methods of estimating when the oil's service life is up - whichever you reach first.

[Steam]

Living where I do even short runs are at highway speeds and ebgi e always gets up to temp, maybe not for long but probably long enough to drive off the nasties in the oil. Not being daily drivers the classics I have always reach the time expiry way before the distance. While I don't mind paying for oil and filters I do object to changing out fresh lokking oil. I apply a dose of common sense and judge the changes to suit.