Every how long should i changed the oil engine if i only drive very little?

[steph83]

Hi, i own a MG Extender Diesel.  I changed the engine oil about 14 months ago but i drove less than 500 km, should i change it ?

 

Thanks cheers

[mogandave]

Is it still under warranty?

 

If so, yes. 

[UWEB]

8 hours ago, steph83 said:

Hi, i own a MG Extender Diesel.  I changed the engine oil about 14 months ago but i drove less than 500 km, should i change it ?

 

Thanks cheers

Should be changed at least yearly regardless of mileage.

[Jitar]

If the vehicle is still under warranty, do what ever the MG service schedule says.  MG should state the max time and km interval for engine oil change.  Some European OEMs have recommended crazy long oil change intervals in the past, with negative implications for engine life.  Hopefully MG do not make this mistake.  If the OEM recommendations seem too long, you can always do more often.  

 

If out of warranty, eith follow the MG service schedule or take your best guess.  Personally I would chenge engine oil atleast every 2 years if the vehicle is only driven a small number of time, (small number of cold starts).  If the vehicle does a lot of starts but short trips / low km, then every 1 year. 

 

[Gsxrnz]

I'd be more worried about the damage done to the engine on the cold starts between (presumably) very extended periods of time. While sitting for a long time, oil can weep excessively out of critical wear points and that next cold start is a killer.  If not using it much, better to start the engine once a week and run it until operating temp is achieved.

 

Oil doesn't break down from "sitting" in the same way it breaks down from being used in a running engine. The oil companies would have you believe unused or lightly used oil does get old and should be replaced. I believe some now even have a use-by date on the labelling. Simply a marketing ploy.

 

I wouldn't be changing oil after a mere 14 months and 500klm. By the same token, if the recommended change is at 10K or 12 months, and I'm at 9K and 14 months, I'm waiting to hit 10K before it gets changed.

 

In your case I would be starting it up once a week. Back in the day when I had too many motorbikes and cars to use frequently, it was my Saturday morning job to crank or kick-over every engine for 30 seconds (spark plugs removed for the winter), check the battery trickle chargers, bounce the forks on the bikes, depress every brake lever or pedal, and roll them forward or backwards a foot or two.

 

EDIT: However, if a warranty situation is in play, as others have said, follow the manufacturers guidelines.

[baansgr]

7 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

I'd be more worried about the damage done to the engine on the cold starts between (presumably) very extended periods of time. While sitting for a long time, oil can weep excessively out of critical wear points and that next cold start is a killer.  If not using it much, better to start the engine once a week and run it until operating temp is achieved.

 

Oil doesn't break down from "sitting" in the same way it breaks down from being used in a running engine. The oil companies would have you believe unused or lightly used oil does get old and should be replaced. I believe some now even have a use-by date on the labelling. Simply a marketing ploy.

 

I wouldn't be changing oil after a mere 14 months and 500klm. By the same token, if the recommended change is at 10K or 12 months, and I'm at 9K and 14 months, I'm waiting to hit 10K before it gets changed.

 

In your case I would be starting it up once a week. Back in the day when I had too many motorbikes and cars to use frequently, it was my Saturday morning job to crank or kick-over every engine for 30 seconds (spark plugs removed for the winter), check the battery trickle chargers, bounce the forks on the bikes, depress every brake lever or pedal, and roll them forward or backwards a foot or two.

And some of us still doing the same 👍 

[steph83]

thanks for advice !😀

[Ralf001]

Every 10,000 km or 12 months (whichever comes first).

[mistral53]

On 3/16/2025 at 8:05 AM, Gsxrnz said:

In your case I would be starting it up once a week. Back in the day when I had too many motorbikes and cars to use frequently, it was my Saturday morning job to crank or kick-over every engine for 30 seconds (spark plugs removed for the winter), check the battery trickle chargers, bounce the forks on the bikes, depress every brake lever or pedal, and roll them forward or backwards a foot or two.

 

Just about the worst advise that is out there - it will make certain that you have max wear! With very few exceptions, engines have sliding bearings that have next to no wear when running, but max wear when starting up. Oil on the cylinder walls will drain within a couple days, so after a week they are dry, same as above...... But even more importantly, acid water vapors accumulate in the oil pan and the valve cover, hence engine wear is higher if the oil never reaches operating temperature to totally evaporate this toxic stuff - all this without even mentioning the Diesel injection part of the engine. Moreover, diesel engines are more demanding on oil due to soot and combustion byproducts, it's especially important to maintain fresh oil.

 

My recommendation: Ask Chat GPT, not the bakers and bankers and farmers on a forum.........lol