# Oil change interval - 10k but looks clean! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 1, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451 "2014-10-01T15:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/42 "2014-10-02T20:30:47Z")
“Does such occur with the electrical system of a car that sits far too long unused?” Also, a car has a 12V battery to power the field; a portable generator does not. A home generator is, actually, an alternator (produces alternating current). ---
**Author:** ![Marnet](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/marnet/32/41_2.png) [@Marnet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Marnet)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/43 "2014-10-02T22:50:36Z")
Thank you for the explanations. ---
**Author:** ![timlandersm3\_183926](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/76d3ee/32.png) [@timlandersm3\_183926](https://community.cartalk.com/u/timlandersm3_183926)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/44 "2023-01-28T21:12:02Z")
Hey Caddy, not really so. The dipstick is very deceiving! Drop the oil & you’ll see what I mean 😉 ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/45 "2023-01-28T21:14:57Z")
> [@timlandersm3\_183926](#): > > Hey Caddy, not really so. The dipstick is very deceiving! Drop the oil & you’ll see what I mean Caddyman has not been active in this forum for close to 5 years, and that’s a shame because he was a valued contributor. With that long a lapse in posting, I somehow doubt that he will see your post. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/46 "2023-01-28T21:30:40Z")
Yeah we miss caddy and mean Joe and dagosa etc. this is really old and the place price fluctuates too. A few years ago there was a supply crisis for folks that heat with it. A couple thousand to fill your tank was a bargain but at the cabin we always fillled up in the summer. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/47 "2023-01-29T14:37:30Z")
> [@timlandersm3\_183926](#): > > The dipstick is very deceiving! It is really hard to find an honest dipstick these days. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/48 "2023-01-29T16:09:00Z")
The best way is to do an oil analysis in a lab. That way there is no guessing. You might be needing a change at 10K but you might have a lot longer you can go as well. Also consider if you are driving in really dirty/dusty areas. The lab should show that too. Blackstone is one I always hear about but there are others. > **[Blackstone Laboratories](https://www.blackstone-labs.com/)** > > Learn what's going on in your engine with oil analysis. Our free kits are easy to use and we explain the results in plain English! ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451/49 "2023-01-29T16:10:07Z")
As for generators, any I have get started at least once a year to avoid the loss of magnetism in the coils. I hear some include a very small permanent magnet to get them excited as well. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-10k-but-looks-clean/87451.md?page=2)