1,000 miles per yr, how often oil changes? (truck, engines, Chevy)

[NYLooking]

My 2001 Chevy Silverado has 77,000 miles on it.

However, for the third consecutive year, I only put 1,000 miles on it over 12 months.

So, would you still change the oil every six months? 6,000 miles?

Thanks.

[TheViking85]

I'd think once a year would be sufficient, but check your owners manual, it should have something about it in there.

[M3 Mitch]

Depends on how you drive the truck. If you are making a few trips of 10 or more miles, you could easily get by with 6 month to one year oil changes.

If you are making only short trips under 5 miles, the oil never gets hot enough to boil off the combustion by-products, more frequent oil changes will only partly correct this. If you are doing this, you would be money ahead to "take the long way home" and get the truck up to temperature fully (the oil, not just the water)

[rbohm]

in the case of the OP, i say twice per year.

[Thegonagle]

Once a year is probably fine. Just be sure to drive it for at least 30 minutes every month or two.

Also, put a float charger, aka battery minder, on it. It will really help you get the most years out of your battery. Something like this: Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

You can leave these things plugged in all the time without hurting anything, or to save a little energy, you can plug it in for 24-48 hours at a time every 2-3 weeks.

[trlhiker]

I would do it once a year no matter how little miles you put on it.

[SD4020]

1,000 miles a year, I think I'd do it twice a year. If they are short runs the engine and oil hardly have enough time to heat up along with running all the oil through the filter and the short runs are hell on engines.

[piyf]

The better question or answer in this case is how are those 1,000 miles traveled?

All at once

a little at a time

100 mile trips throughout the year

what?

[NYLooking]

A little at a time... 95% of the time

[johna01374]

I would change it twice a year but only use regular motor oil. No point in using synthetic.