armor

Hi,
I accumulate quite a low mileage on my Jeep (2011 Rubi) as my commute to work is very short (lucky ). So I am not reaching recommended mileage for oil changes (be it 3K or 4K miles) even within 6 months. Should I wait to reach the recommended mileage or go ahead and change every 6 months? Or maybe less than 6 months ?

thanks!

kik

Chrysler wants it done at least every 6 months regardless of the mileage. It's ultimately your call.

duneslider

I have always been told 6 months. That's what I do on my truck. It only sees about 6-7k a year.

ronjenx

Your short trips are hard on the oil, and engine.
Change it at 6 month intervals so you start out with fresh oil each cold and warm season.

knight1000

Im in the same boat. I change in spring and again in fall. I have always done that even when I put more miles on then I do now. Now I work from home and do 50ish miles a week with shopping and stuff.

CaptDuck

I change it every 6 months regardless of mileage. My wife has a short commute of 3 miles and she drives the jeep.

Noxian

Yup 6 months, oil continues to breakdown from the contaminants even when the engine is not running.

walc

The oil change interval on the JK is set for 8,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Jiblet

I agree with Ron. Since you live in SoCal the 6 months is probably OK but the short trips are extremely severe on the oil. You simply don't spend enough time at operating temperature to boil off the condensation and blow-by fuel etc. If you can, a nice 30 plus minute drive once a week would be a good idea. Repeated short trips are killer on the oil. For anyone in a climate that actually has a cold winter that has repeated short trip duty cycles, I would change even more frequently. Three maybe four times per year.

Does your OCI warn you to change oil?

Not true, there is no setting either miles or time-wise. There is a complicated proprietary algorithm that computes multiple parameters discussed in other threads. The 8,000 miles (6,000 in older models) and 6-month periods are the extreme end of the drain interval range allowed for warranty purposes.

The manufacturer recommends following the OCI but never to exceed the mile/time period.

walc

You are absolutely correct.
Sorry, I posted misinformation.

In any event, the JK's have an oil change indicator warning/reminder light, which is based upon the algorithim.