# Oil change interval exceeds time recommendation not mileage - now what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** xb, scion, oil\ **Created:** [February 10, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-exceeds-time-recommendation-not-mileage-now-what/61163 "2011-02-10T23:37:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougwatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@dougwatt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dougwatt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-exceeds-time-recommendation-not-mileage-now-what/61163/1 "2011-02-10T23:37:44Z")
i just bought a used 2006 scion xB (owned in Phoenix by a nice old lady since new) with only 14k miles in immaculate condition. I thought I had a gem, but I discovered the oil change history exceeds manufacturer time recommendation of every 6 months: changes occurred at 7 months, 17 months, 8 months, 15 months, and 11 months. Mileage recommendation is every 5000 miles; oil was changed after 2000, then 4500, 1500, 2800, and 3600. i read that oil oxidizes over time and if left in the engine for longer than recommended and used on short trips causes internal engine deposits, corrosion and sludge? If I now change the oil more frequently than recommended will it remove any such bad stuff? Should I be worried? Thank you. Doug ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-exceeds-time-recommendation-not-mileage-now-what/61163/2 "2011-02-11T00:00:37Z")
Don’t worry. None of the past change intervals was long enough to cause a problem. You still have a gem. Follow the oil change recommendations in the manual from now on and enjoy your xB. Granted, 17 months is a long time, but the engine is young, and it will survive. I seriously doubt there’s been any long-term damage. The horror stories you’ve been reading are over-hyped, and probably meant to sell you something. Something you don’t need. I have a car that sometimes doesn’t get driven much, and when this happens I change its oil once a year. I’ve owned this car for more than ten years and it continues to run perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![euryale1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@euryale1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/euryale1)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-exceeds-time-recommendation-not-mileage-now-what/61163/3 "2011-02-11T00:09:02Z")
In your case you should be fine. Motor oil oxidizes very slowly. The time recommendation is largely irrelevant today as additives have stabilized the oil so much that 5000 + miles really is a good number. Time is not a huge issue at this point. 17 months was a bit long but not enough to be an issue. Oxidation is now more an issue for cars that idle long periods of time, but they are on a severe service schedule which this car probably does not meet. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-exceeds-time-recommendation-not-mileage-now-what/61163/4 "2011-02-11T00:11:05Z")
It appears that it was changed often enough that (hopefully) any sludge issues will not be much of a concern. The fact the car is from a dry climate area instead of a humid one is also a plus. If there is any concern about sludging this could be verified by removing the valve cover and inspecting the valve train. One could also run a heavy wire (piece of coat hanger, brazing rod, etc.) probe inside the oil pan and scrape the bottom a bit during the next oil change. If the wire comes out with a trace I would not be alarmed over that. If it comes out with a gob of goo on it then maybe. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-interval-exceeds-time-recommendation-not-mileage-now-what/61163/5 "2011-02-11T01:31:42Z")
I would not orry at all about this. If this had gone on for 100k miles, then maybe, but not for 14k.