Oil change question
 

We have some really knowledgable folks here, so I feel confident I will get a reasonable answer.

It could be any car, but in this case it is my wife's grocery getter, a 2000 Taurus with 27,400 miles on the clock (not driven all that much).

So, what is the most important factor in planning for oil changes when the elements are:

Mileage driven (less than 1,500 miles since August 1st)
Time between oil changes (generally I change the oil twice a year in her car
Type of driving(generally trips of less than five miles at a time, occasional day trips of 100 miles)
Type of oil(I use Valvoline blend, 10-30 in the Winter and 10-40 in the Summer; remember this is Arizona where 110 is not out of the question in July and August)

Advice? Recommendations?

Bob I think your oil change schedule is a good one. While the oil will not appear to be all that dirty, the water and acids in the oil will contribute to engine wear. However, I'm certainly not an expert.

3000 mi or 3months which ever comes first, or what ever ford recommends on the mileage but if doesn't get used enough time will be the determining factor

shirt trips are harder on the engine since it wont come up to proper temps and sitting in traffic sucks too.

also hot dusty weather will increase need for changes.

use viscosity recommended by ford and what ever brand you like


my $.02

It looks like it is driven approx. 4,000 miles per year.

IMO, changing the oil in your Taurus once per year is just fine.

Changing it twice per year/every 2000 miles is overkill.

And changing it every 3 months/1,000 miles is nuts.

The motor oil producers and the Jiffy Lubes did a really great job getting everyone on the 3 month 3,000 mile kick. Read your owners manual. I've seen intervals at 7,500 or 10,000 miles.

Those short trips are killers. I'd try to do twice a year, late fall and when it gets warm in the spring.
Jim

the manufactors make oil changes at greater milage for money reasons
1) less oil services under warrnty = less money
2) less waste = lower taxes for manufactors

reasons why you change your oil.
oil gets dirty
oil breaks down

most companys tell you lets say 10000 miles because the oil wont break down till then but in reality the oil is dirty. by the time this affects your engine it is out of warranty and you will pay for repairs.
3000-5000 max miles between
4-6 months between

My BMW manual recommends 25,000km (15,000 miles +/-) intervals - which strikes me as ridiculously long.

Only way to truly know is get oil analysis. I'd go with twice a year, as well.

The issue isn't the oil, its the car...(buy a Honda!)

Lube...I am very happy with the Taurus from a dependability/quality standpoint. Not to change the subject, but I feel that Asian cars are, at least recently, overrated. Same goes for many European marques as well. Of all the cars I have owned in a fourty year span, the most indestructable were Ford V6 types. The current one has a way to go, but two others saw in excess of 150k without anything more serious than re-adjustment of the transmission bands. And I have owned Nissans, Volkwagens, Porsche, and a number of other nameplates. Our other car is a VW Passat VR6 that has been the most expen$ive car I have ever owned for repairs. With less than 93k on the clock, it has had practically everything except the engine and transmission replaced....starter, distributor, fuel pump, ignition switch, CV joints, you name it. If my wife did not love the little beast, I would gladly pay to have it crushed into a lawn ornament. Two other VW products I had way back when were in the same boat and gotten rid of post haste. Age has taught me to avoid pain whenever possible, especially that which affects my wallet!!

Thanks for the comments, guys..I will stick to the twice a year regime. Back east, (when I was younger) I was one of those paranoid types that held to a three month schedule and sometimes the oil came out nearly as clear as it looked going in!!