15 months & 3000 miles since last oil change

[jel11633]

I bought a 2016 Ram 1500 in 2017 that only had 1000 miles on it. I've had the only changed several times since then, it currently has only 12000 miles on it. My last oil change was 3000 miles ago, though with covid and not paying attention like I should have, I'm just now realizing its been about 15 months since that last oil change.

Now, I'm wondering if I've done damage to the engine, not changing the oil in 15 months, even though I've only driven it 3000 miles in that time. I'm concerned to the point now that I dont know if I should drive it the 15 miles to the dealer for an oil change or if I should have a mobile mechanic do it at my house? Any input is appreciated.

 

[U&A]

What oil?


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[Eng_alvarado90]

What does the oil look like when taking the dipstick?

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[U&A]

What color socks are you wearing?


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[Sandevino]

The engine is fine. I’ve never changed oil by the time elapsed and always by the mileage. If you drive infrequently make sure to start it at least once a week and allow it to run for a bit to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.

Over 30 years and not a single failure related to oil change intervals.

NEVER cheap out on oil, lubricants and filters and you’ll do well.

My grandfather always told me that machinery only lasts as well as you maintain it.

 

[dexter]

What color socks are you wearing?


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

Socks color relates to transmission fluid.

Under pants is for oil.

 

[U&A]

Socks color relates to transmission fluid.

Under pants is for oil.

Dang it!!

[emoji1787]


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[tap4154]

Relax and go have it changed when you can. You haven't wrecked the engine. Oil doesn't suddenly expire at 6 months or a year. What does the oil life indicator say?

But as others said, it is good to let the engine get up to temp now and then if sitting unused for a while. Burns off any condensation.

I've been off work for 2 months now because of the virus (I work in folk's homes) but take the Ram for a drive every few days for two reasons: Just to get out, and to keep the engine happy

But I changed the oil in January. Fortunately I have the V6 so it's a very easy DIY job.

And I'm not wearing socks.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Now, I'm wondering if I've done damage to the engine, not changing the oil in 15 months, even though I've only driven it 3000 miles in that time. I'm concerned to the point now that I dont know if I should drive it the 15 miles to the dealer for an oil change or if I should have a mobile mechanic do it at my house? Any input is appreciated.

You damage your engine every time you turn it over. That's just how mechanical things work. So the question isn't did you damage it, it's did you damage it enough to matter. That answer is no. And another 15 miles isn't going to, either.

That said, some of the additives do supposedly break down over time and oil will oxidize, which increases acidity. It's not like flipping a light switch from good to bad, but it is a spectrum and that's why the maximum 12 month oil change and 5 year unopened storage life for engine oil exists (neither are universal, mind you, but pretty standard)

 

[Dave2018]

I've learned to respect project farm over on youtube.

Here's what his analysis showed:

 

[Burla]

I bought a 2016 Ram 1500 in 2017 that only had 1000 miles on it. I've had the only changed several times since then, it currently has only 12000 miles on it. My last oil change was 3000 miles ago, though with covid and not paying attention like I should have, I'm just now realizing its been about 15 months since that last oil change.

Now, I'm wondering if I've done damage to the engine, not changing the oil in 15 months, even though I've only driven it 3000 miles in that time. I'm concerned to the point now that I dont know if I should drive it the 15 miles to the dealer for an oil change or if I should have a mobile mechanic do it at my house? Any input is appreciated.

The following are what degrades a base oil and requires oil to be changed: tbn level, tan level, viscosity shear, water level, insolubles. Generally speaking on the list the only worry is the TAN level denaturing the TBN level at 3k miles, because generally speaking you will start to see TAN rising about then, but in my opinion that is on the early range of when you start seeing tbn reach danger levels, so I would say you likely haven't done any damage, and if you did it wouldn't show up as some fatal event but rather some accelerated wearing in the wear metal numbers. I purposely was on a two year interval thanks to my low miles per year, and the uoa reports were in perfect range even at 2 years 10k miles.

Depending on what oil you are using like U&A was saying, you should be fine. Synthetic oils TBN starts 3tbn higher then group 2 shelf oil, so long as you are using synthetic, you will have no issues, if you aren't using synthetic, now is a good time to switch. If I wasn't using a good oil, no way could I have had that result. Cheap oils you really need to change sooner, unless they are cheap synthetics such as kirkland or amazon basics, those can also have a long interval. With cheap synthetic options available, there is no reason to not buy them except stupidity.