Don't change the oil every year?

My 2008, with about 95k miles, only gets one or two thousand miles a year. I'm using Valvoline synthetic oil.

It's been about a year since my last oil/filter change, but I read this:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/motor-oil-age-doesnt-matter-as-much-as-mileage-study

An oil change is easy, but I'd rather not be wasteful for both money and the environment.

What do you think? If the oil is okay, should I still swap the filter out?

 

The thing about an oil change, aside from refreshing the lubrication system in the truck, is the up close and intimate inspection time you get to spend with your truck. I honestly don't think the time makes as much of a difference as the mileage and the conditions you drove in, but would still probably do an annual oil change myself. If you choose not to, just don't skip the thorough inspection you would normally do for the oil change and risk missing other maintenance needs the truck may have.

 

If the truck (and oil) is routinely brought up to temperature by a long drive, the two year interval is probably ok. If most of your annual mileage is short trips, then one year is reasonable.

Fortunately, the engines in these trucks are port fuel injected and not known for fuel dilution.

 

All depends on driving conditions. For example, while I don't drive my 2013 Tundra over 2,000 miles per year, I still replace the oil and filter every six months, regardless of miles driven. The reasons for this is because winters are long and cold in the interior of Alaska, and during the winter long idling times are the norm. During a cold engine start the ECU commands a high idle RPM plus a greater amount of fuel to reach the cylinders (much like pressing the gas pedal right after starting the engine). When very cold outside there is a possibility for some of the gasoline to eventually mix with or contaminate the oil. If I well remember, this condition is called "cylinder wash," which is when some of the gasoline washes-off some of the oil from the cylinder walls. Now, what I am telling about relates to a possibility where I live at (extremely cold temperatures). So I replace the oil and filter just before winter, and before summer the following year (2 times per year). I assume that one can get away replacing the oil 2 times per year, and the filter 1 time (perhaps before summer?). But since OM filters are so cheap, I replace it with each oil change.

I would do the same if off-road or dusty driving, towing, and so on.

 

Every 5K to 6K for me, 07 SR5 crewcab 4.7L auto tranny with 125K on the clock. Bob's yer uncle!

 

My 08 has been sitting alot since I converted to full time working from home. I do 1x year oil changes in the fall. This year I just hit 4k miles. Last year was under 3k.

It's an excuse for me to crawl under and inspect the truck before MN snow storms hit.

 

Honestly, you'll have to decide what "experts" to believe. Oil and oil filters are where I nerd out on Youtube. I won't claim to be an expert, but I do recommend following this guy: https://www.youtube.com/@themotoroilgeek

Generally speaking, everything I've seen on YT suggests 1 year is the absolute maximum. Not only because of moisture, but because oil turns corrosive (not sure that's the right technical term; I'm drinking...) with use.

So you do you...as much as I hate the "oil is cheap; engines are expensive" argument the more I read about oil, filters and oil life the more I agree. Treat your Tundra right and it will return the favor.

And for the love of God, always change the filter with the oil. It's fricken cheap. Don't mix old oil with new oil if you can prevent it.