At 10:28 AM 10/10/2002, you wrote:

>I drive my Vanagon about 18 - 25k a year. I get my oil changed every 4k
>miles, with no problems.
>
>My girlfriend on the other hand, puts about 2200 miles on her car (1988
>Nissan Sentry, with 68k) a year, driving it once a week, and sometimes
>letting it sit for 2 - 3 weeks at a time.
>
>When should she change her oil?

Both you and her should change the oil by inspection. If it smells gassy,
change it and reduce your interval. If it looks milky, run it till hot,
then drain it and replace it, then run it at least 25 miles, then inspect
again. If it looks dark or, God forbid, feels gritty, change it and reduce
your interval. You both should maintain them the same way, via inspection,
then if you keep notes you will find intervals required that vary due to
your types of use. Clean oil is spec and by far the best way to keep the
motor specs in order for the longest possible service.

Forget rule of thumb time/milage practices, despite your conditioning to do
so. Rather, maintain via inspection and establish the empirical facts and
and never do too much or too little maintenance. This is an absolute
essential to insure lowest cost per mile, no matter how few or how many
miles per year or week or day you put on it, or whether you drive like an
old lady or like Cale Yarborough.