My Toyota Yaris is only used for frequent short trips of about five kilometres, and one holiday trip of about 1 000 km per year. The annual mileage is less than 3 000 km. Is it really necessary to change the oil every year?
WESSEL GREYVENSTEIN – By e-mail
The normally recommended oil change interval is based on what the engine manufacturer regards as average non-severe conditions. Your frequent short trips, where the engine seldom gets to a working temperature, is regarded as severe, while the long trip is not severe. This means that your oil will get contaminated by a small amount of fuel during the short trips, but the total severe mileage of about 2 000 km per annum is not enough cause for concern. Clean oil resting in the sump for most of the year does not get dirty, our recommendation is that you change the oil every two years, if only to make you feel better.
