How many months between oil changes?

I know that Jiffy Lube is full of it, and you don't need to go every 3000 miles. What about the every 3 months part?

I have a 98 4runner with 99k miles on it. My last oil change was January 16. I still have put only 2200 miles on it. In the past, I've gone every 6 months, even if I hadn't hit 3000 miles yet (let alone 5000). Is that necessary? Do I need to get the oil changed based on the amount of time since the last service?

I would get it done...doesn't hurt to have fresh oil, especially since it's been 6 months and it sounds like you don't drive the 4runner much (less than 100 miles a week).

I usually get my vehicles done every 3 months, which can be anywhere from 2500-5000 miles, depending on which vehicle it is and how much driving we've done.

Shit, now that I think about it I haven't had mine changed since November. That's probably not good.

Just keep driving it around and let us know when the oil fails. I'd say you could go 50,000 to 75,000 miles before the engine dies.

Well, at that high of a mileage I would probably try to get it done a little more often. At 75k I usually try to not let 4 months go by without fresh oil. Granted, my car only had a little over 62 when last I changed the oil, I started putting Max Life in it and those 4 months will be up soon, so I'll probably change it then.

Just keep driving it around and let us know when the oil fails. I'd say you could go 50,000 to 75,000 miles before the engine dies.
Nice. But I asked about months, not miles. 4-5 years?

Well, at that high of a mileage I would probably try to get it done a little more often. At 75k I usually try to not let 4 months go by without fresh oil. Granted, my car only had a little over 62 when last I changed the oil, I started putting Max Life in it and those 4 months will be up soon, so I'll probably change it then.
What's the rationale behind 4 months? Seasonal changes? How many miles a year do you put on your car?

What's the rationale behind 4 months? Seasonal changes? How many miles a year do you put on your car?

I put close to 1,000 miles/month on my car, so it usually coincides with miles, but when it sat while I was at college, every 4 months was what I went with mostly because of seasonal changes.

I will say, I know next to nothing about cars, I'm just cautious about that. Ever since I got this car I've been concerned about trying to get it last for about 160k miles and try to take pretty good care of it.

Also, I had a 73 Eldorado before that and one of my mechanic friends said that regardless of how much it's driven, I should change the oil every 3 months. I figured with a newer car, I could push it to 4

Wait for the 3k, or whatever your owner's manual says. Shelf life of oil is in the years, not months, so you won't have any problems. At only 2200 miles, the drive to the Jiffy Lube is better for your 4R than the actual oil change, honestly.

My advice is to change the oil at the mileage indicated (synthetic for more confidence), and start your 4R atleast once a week and let it run for 5-10 mins. Let it get up to operating temperature. Short little runs aren't the greatest thing in the world for an engine, but its much better than letting it sit for a month and then starting it after all the oil has drained to the pan.

Jiffy Lube makes more money when you bring it in every 3 months, remember. :)

Wait for the 3k, or whatever your owner's manual says. Shelf life of oil is in the years, not months, so you won't have any problems. At only 2200 miles, the drive to the Jiffy Lube is better for your 4R than the actual oil change, honestly.

My advice is to change the oil at the mileage indicated (synthetic for more confidence), and start your 4R atleast once a week and let it run for 5-10 mins. Let it get up to operating temperature. Short little runs aren't the greatest thing in the world for an engine, but its much better than letting it sit for a month and then starting it after all the oil has drained to the pan.

Jiffy Lube makes more money when you bring it in every 3 months, remember. :)
Don't laugh, but I drive the car everyday. I only live 7 miles from work, though. My commute is still 25-30 minutes through the city each way. Does that change anything?