Interesting article about oil change interval

[Jeff396]

I came across this on my MSN page. It talks about oil change interval regarding normal and severe use. It also mentions conventional oil vs synthetic.

Oil change interval article

I have switched to synthetic in my wifes car. She drives A LOT of miles and I thought I could extend the interval out to 5k by using it. According to this article that isn't true. I'm just looking for some opinions on this.

Jeff

 

[gsxr1100]

Well here is an “opinion”. This is NOT a knock on Mobil oils; but, on a Lexus forum I go to daily a guy went 4,000 miles on his ES and I want over 12,000 miles (3X longer then him) on my ES. We then compared results.

First one is him (Mobil 1, 10w-30 with 4K miles), next is mine with Amsoil 5w-30 with 12,200 miles)


Fe- 5, 11
Cr- 0, 0
Ni-0. 10
Al- 2 ,3
Pb- 6, 10
Cu- 2, 11
Sn- 1, 1
Ag- 0, 0
Ti -0, 0
Si -16, 17
B -125, 27
Na- 6,12
Mo- 44, 1
P- 668, 1161
Zn- 757, 1175
Ca- 2991, 2643
Barium- 0, 0
Mg- 13, 797
TBN- 4.5, 3.3

Our manuals state 7,500 for normal changes.

The article states "....synthetic additives wear out... " which is true but with a by-pass filteration, you will need tires and brakes sooner.

 

[awlchu]

Jeff,

The only way to judge whether or not to go the distance is by performing an oil analysis. If the numbers look good, and you use a high quality filter (not Fram), you will be in good shape.

Now, considering the cost of an oil change ($25 at WallyWorld) vs the cost to have an analysis made ~$20 up, I'd would change the oil and not wonder at 3AM "is my engine going to blow up?"

Granted if oil is $10/qt the B/C ratio is quite different! I do not want to waste resources either.

Mobil's EP synth warranty is 15k or they pay...

www.mobil1.com

Brian

 

[gsxr1100]

If you read there site, they state the same thing Amsoil does.

"Mobil 1 Extended Performance is recommended for up to 15,000-mile or one-year oil change intervals. However, if your vehicle manufacturer recommends an oil change interval beyond 15,000 miles and Mobil 1 meets the performance level specified, you can be assured that Mobil 1 will go the distance. "


Ps, you engine is not going to "blow up". Lets see Mobil EP is around $5.40 per qt and goes up to 15K miles. I buy Amsoil ASL series for less then $5 per qt and can go up to 25K (40 longer)...Nop brainer for me. Plus my oil tests show there is not reason to change (less oil) and pay more.

 

[db2]

I've never used synthetic oil although I have considered it. I'm reluctant because I believe the abrasiveness of aging oil, synthetic or otherwise, is as detrimental to engine life as lubricant breakdown.

A friend has a business which supplies industrial oil filters to many industries including mining throughout North America. He says there is not a filter made that will adequately protect against particle build up and therefore engine wear. The solution is to change lubricant and filter often.

So I do.

 

[slowrev]

I'm with you Dave, I use good dino oil and good filters and change often. There is the issue of contamination by fuel, soot, etc primarially by blowby in older engines to consider, and since I run a 1968 tractor and 1965 pickup, neither of which has been rebuilt, this seems to be the best option for me.

Ben

 

[gsxr1100]

That is weird. Redline & Amsoil, have been doing it for years, with great success. Did you happen to with my post above doing longer drains. Proof is right there. Do you see HUGE or abnormal wear numbers?

Unless you have tried these longer drains with a good oil, I would believe data over people (ex: my post).

EDIT: fixed a "wonka" error!

 

[gsxr1100]

Ben- Will dino oil work, sure. But when you can use a better oil and go longer, way longer with the same results…..

I have family members that do 3K drains. Ha, good for them. Everytime time they get it done is around $25. For 15,000 miles that is 5 drains. That is $125 for 1-year. I can go the same length and get the same performance with $45 for oil and not going to the dealer. No bad for saving around $80!

If you have fuel in oil, you have bigger problems. If you have soot get a beter filter, oil is not working well or the engine is not running correctly. Blowby, times for rings

Look at the post I did above with Mobil vs Amsoil. Not knocking Mobil but with only 4K miles, get a better oil.

 

[db2]

Hi Mike

I can't dispute science without studying it.

And I haven't studied it, but I took my buddys recommendation. He's been in the business a long time. I decided to error on the side of caution and change often.

Regards

 

[Dargo]

I've had pretty good luck with dino oil and frequent changes. However, with the price of equipment and autos as high as they are now, I've changed to synthetic. I think I slightly like Red Line better than Amsoil, but it costs $3 more a quart. I don't like it that much better!

There again, I now like Michelob beer. When I was in college Schaefer Light tasted fine. Same thing with whiskey; Old Crow used to taste fine, now I like Makers Mark. Weird, huh!? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif