Is it important to change engine oil/filter every year?

I have a 1998 XK8, and I only drive about 2,000 miles per year. It currently has synthetic oil. I did some research on this board, and concluded that dino oil should be changed about every 5K and synthetic about every 10K miles.

If I should be changing it every year (~2K miles for me), then I'm not sure it's worth the extra expense for the synthetic oil.

I get the impression oil changes are kind of a touchy subject on this board, but would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks

 

My opinion is that it depends a lot on how many miles you drive when you do take it out. If it's only a few miles around town, vs. long runs with open roads, I would stick to the yearly schedule. But I would question the need for synthetic for such low mileage. Then again, the cost f oil is a rather small part of maintaining a Jag.

 

Follow what the owner's manual says for maximum peace of mind. Simple as that.

 

The Jaguar recommended scheduled service interval on your XK8 is every 10K Miles OR 12 Months, whichever occurs sooner.

Every schedule includes an oil and filter change. The Vehicle Care Handbook lists recommended lubricants.

Beyond that selection is personal preference.

Graham

 

IMHO it’s a good idea to change your oil and filter at least annually if you don’t reach the miles change interval recommended by Jaguar. I also agree dyno oil of the correct grade is fine, no need to use synthetic.
This is what I do with my 98 XK8 coupe.
Regards,
White Bear.

 

My 1999 Dodge Ram pickup does about 2,500 miles per year on its 5.9 liter V8. I change the five quarts of Valvoline 10W-30 conventional oil and filter every 6,000 miles. That equates to every 28 months or so. My Ram will be 15 years old next February and remains in great shape having recently reached 66,000 miles....

Why should I alter my routine and change the oil and filter annually after only 2,500 miles?

 

Your vehicle your choice.
In every quart of oil about 10%, by volume, is made up of the additive package. These important chemicals include, dispersants, anti foam agents, friction modifiers, anti oxidants, anti scuff agents, detergents, etc.Most of these chemicals have a ‘shelf life’ and deteriorate over time in the crankcase, exposed as they are to oxygen.

The answer is to replace the oil before the additive package has deteriorated to the point where some, or all, of the chemicals contained within it are useless.

Engine oil manufactures for light aircraft piston engines (Lycoming- Continental) recommend changing the oil every 4 months, even if the number of hours flown is below the recommended oil change interval, just for this reason.
Regards,
White Bear.

 

I have a Norton Commando in which the oil hasn't been changed for ~10years, it has ~1 mile on it should I be concerned?

My XK8 has ~5000 miles and 18 months since it was changed, it will be done soon meanwhile I'm not losing sleep.

 

So many Commandos blew up from main bearing failure, changing the oil was usually not a problem, the engine just didn't last that long! Just kidding, that was the early ones! I suggest changing the oil once a year no matter what. We're talking about a couple quarts here, why not? I spent many years rebuilding old classic bikes and I couldn't ride them all, so I changed fluids once a year whether it had miles or not. I have a beautiful 67 Velocette Thruxton from a museum collection with 110 miles on it, it gets regular maintenance as if it were being ridden every day.

 

Ha I've been down that road before.

1 week before I was due to go to the IOM the bearings went, but we got there!

I was being a little facetious in my last post, it happens sometimes, I have ~a 5000 mile trip to do the oil change in the Norton hence the reason for the neglect.

Now what about some pics of the Velo?

 

To be honest, you've already had good advice, as per the schedule....every 10k miles OR 12 months whichever comes first.

Its such a small amount of money relatively speaking for peace of mind.

My advice would be to do it, but to each their own.

 

Drive it don't hide it.

My cat is a daily driver, I do everything from groceries to buying 2x4s at home depot.

I enjoy every single centimeter I travel with that car and I think you should do the same.

 

I would worry more about the filter breaking down and sending bits around the engine (since it had happened to a car I once bought as a basket case), unless the new synthetic materials hold up better. The synthetic oil would be fine going longer. Dino oil can form waxes during the cold months just sitting there. I guess bottom line, dino is cheap and is what I'd use on a yearly oil and filter change with that few miles. For minimum engine wear, go synth 0w-30, since most wear is at start-up and you want it as thin as possible when cold.