1998 Blazer Lt 4wd 4dr
126k miles

I know the manual says do an oil change every 3 months or 3000 miles whichever comes first, but I have only driven my Blazer 200 miles in 3 months. I live in NY and it hasn’t been a very cold winter. Should I still have my oil changed now?

 

If it were me, no. I would start it up every week or so to keep things oiled up, maybe even drive it 10 miles or so.

 

I wouldn't either. I change my oil when it looks dirty.

 

I'd re-read my owner's manual.

 

I did. That’s what it says for the short trip maintenance schedule for 1998 Blazer Lt 4dr 4wd.

 

This subject gets more people riled up than an Eagles home football game but here is how I see it. Ive owned and maintained over 50 vehicles since 1975 and currently own 3 in the family with over 100,000 miles and one at 285,000. My blazer has over 200,000.

Oil today is infinitely better than it was decades ago and it has much better additives and stability. Oil is the life blood of the engine and must be kept in good condition but the 3,000 mile ritual of the last decade or two is total overkill except in the most extreme operating conditions. I buy high quality oil and filters, always and change it around 10,000 miles or so (I can hear the flamethrowers getting lit all the way from here. LOL). I use PYB dino in my blazer and synthetic every where else. Penzoil, Mobil, Kendall and Quaker State oil. K&N nd Mobil filters. Ultimately you have to sleep well at night so do whatever keeps you happy but this is what has worked for me and I have never had an engine failure or needed an engine replacement in 48 years.

On vehicles with oil change interval management I just do what my GM PCM says and that also averages around 10,000 miles. I do a lot of highway driving.


George