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No oil expert here but most cars using synthetic oil should be good for a year with the amount of miles you drive. Every car I have purchased lately (quite a few) call for between 7500-10k mileage interval or 1 year so I think you will be more than safe waiting 12 months between changes unless you significantly increase your mileage.
The main thing to watch out for with low mileage is making a lot of short trips, which would make even 1 year on synthetic a bit sketchy. So if a lot of short trips, I would recommend 6 months otherwise 1 year.
I also put a lower amount of miles/kms on the car annually. I store the car in the winter and before I put it to bed I change the oil so the first start of the season is with clean oil. So far, it's been a once a year thing unless I've driven a fair bit that year requiring a second oil change. I target about 10k KM (6,500 miles) as the max distance before an oil change. Oil changes are relatively inexpensive and you can't go wrong changing the oil frequently.
As someone pointed out, it's more about how you drive it as opposed to how far. Spirited driving and lots of short trips usually mean more frequent changes.
My oil changes are always based on time since I don’t get to the target mileage. I set my reminder for 6 months but always end up doing it closer to the year mark. Maybe 10-11 months on average. My mechanic advised me a while back that he would wait no more than 1 year.
Annual if the mileage doesn't warrant it, that's the schedule I follow and have for all my low(er) mileage vehicles. The oil is typically good with synthetics these days, but the filter does start to break down and degrade down over time, even with it just sitting.
I agree with @Metal1 on the brake fluid interval @ 36 months. This is often overlooked and with the braking system in our cars a flush of the brake fluid is good policy, mine is just about due for it now. I'll probably have the radiator flushed as well, it gets hot in BeachLand.
Last edited by Beachtyme; Dec 29, 2025 at 08:10 AM.
[QUOTE=lsm7;12008935]2022 LC500 with about 7500 miles.
I drive infrequently (no snow, rain, etc) such that I am putting very few miles on the car.
Does anyone have any experience with oil change frequency based on time only?
Is every six months a good rule of thumb?
Has anyone done oil analysis to confirm that oil change at 6 month interval makes sense?
Yes, Yes, no need to.
I don't understand all of the opinions on a subject, that the owners manual is very clear on.. You either follow the manual or make up your own service schedule. I am sure everyone does it a little differently and can defend their decision.
Yes. Give me mine without butter by the way. It's simple. Recommendation in my maintenance schedule is 5000 miles or 6 months first one occurring. You buy into it or debate Lexus motives as profit serving or longevity serving. for the vehicle. Just that simple.
Oil Change interval based on time only
