General Maintenance & Repairs - Oil change intervals?

Just wondering what everybodys thought were on this. I guess Im old school, but i have a real hard time going past 3000 miles I have been using Mobil 1 with Fram filters. I didnt reset my oil change lite after the last change and I have almost 7000 miles and still no lite. Most of my driving is highway, but still do you guys feel it is safe to go this long - even with synth oil. I know oil is not THAT expensive but at almost $5/qt i hate to throw $$$ away
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />

Just wondering what everybodys thought were on this. I guess Im old school, but i have a real hard time going past 3000 miles I have been using Mobil 1 with Fram filters. I didnt reset my oil change lite after the last change and I have almost 7000 miles and still no lite. Most of my driving is highway, but still do you guys feel it is safe to go this long - even with synth oil. I know oil is not THAT expensive but at almost $5/qt i hate to throw $$$ away
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />

I usually change it every 2000-2500, just to be on the safe side..

Like to keep it extra clean... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Know what you mean i dont even keep track of the mileage in my old stroker small block-when i dont like the look or smell its outta there. Just thought maybe i was over doing it on the modern engine $$$ could be used for speed parts hey hey <img border="0" alt="[burn out]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_burnout.gif" />

<small>[ March 19, 2003, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: XLR8VRL ]</small>

I change mine as soon as I start to see it get dirty (typically around 3K miles). I tend to not go by mileage intervals.

Guess Im not the only one that feels this way! anyone else??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

You can easily double those intervals with a good synthetic oil.

There is a synthetic oil study being done right now by someone with a 2002 Z28. He samples his oil every 1k and sends it in for analysis. He's up to 6k now and the oil is still good.


http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html

Also, check out this link for many used oil analysis reports on synthetic oil well beyond 3k:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=3&DaysPrune=100&submit=Go


One of the more recent posts showed someone going 20k on Amsoil.

Same here. This time was the FIRST time it went over 3k. I went on a 1k mile trip. Then i had about two weeks before my head job so left it in there. It has 4.5k on it. Dont think it hurt anything but i wouldnt make it a practice.

I posted this on your duplicate post but this one seems to be the one getting more visits so I'll repost it here.


You can easily double those intervals with a good synthetic oil (go to 6k that is).
There is a synthetic oil study being done right now by someone with a 2002 Z28. He samples his oil every 1k and sends it in for analysis. He's up to 6k now and the oil is still good.
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html
Also, check out this link for many used oil analysis reports on synthetic oil well beyond 3k:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=3&DaysPrune=100&submit=Go
One of the more recent posts showed someone going 20k on Amsoil.

20K thats incredible i did read some articles about "true bypass filtering" where every drop of oil is filtered trough a "smaller than standard" micron filter. They were getting some incredible mileage out of the oil also
I was raised catholic and Im sure my guilt would kick in way before i hit 20K HAHA <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

Great sites Patman Thanks <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by XLR8VRL:
<strong> 20K thats incredible i did read some articles about "true bypass filtering" where every drop of oil is filtered trough a "smaller than standard" micron filter. They were getting some incredible mileage out of the oil also
I was raised catholic and Im sure my guilt would kick in way before i hit 20K HAHA <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wouldn't be able to go 20k myself either. My upper limit would be 10-12k, but only in a vehicle doing mostly highway driving and not in the extreme cold temps. Because we can have cold winters up here (this past one was brutal!) and I drive my car all year round, I do an oil change just before winter and then again in spring to get rid of the winter oil. I do about 30,000km (18k) per year, so it'll work out to 3 oil changes at 10,000km (6k )each.

My sister racks up miles very fast, about 5-600 per week, and I change her oil for her. I'm easing her car up to about a 20,000km interval (12.5k) Her oil should be able to handle it based on her highway driving.

2000,2500 for me gives me piece of mind if nothing else. <img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />

There has got to be alot more variables to this. In my car cruise RPM's are 3100 usually. It sees 6600 rpm's every time I drive it and almost everytime I drove it I am racing or going somewhere to race. Seems like 7k miles(possibly a whole yea) would be way too long. I just use dyno oil and change it every couple months.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 4mulaJoe:
<strong> There has got to be alot more variables to this. In my car cruise RPM's are 3100 usually. It sees 6600 rpm's every time I drive it and almost everytime I drove it I am racing or going somewhere to race. Seems like 7k miles(possibly a whole yea) would be way too long. I just use dyno oil and change it every couple months. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's why I started sending my oil out for analysis. The only way to know 100% for sure if you've chosen a safe interval is to get your oil analyzed. Although if you look at other people's oil analysis results with similar cars and the same oil, it gives you a rough idea of how long it's safe to run. Except in rare cases, 5-6k is very easy for a synthetic oil.

I change a couple of days before a road race weekend and immedaitely after.

I had 1000 miles on a change before this last event and changed again at 300 miles.

I don't use synthetic for that reason ... Havoline 10W30

I always change my mobil 1 at 3k, but just a few months ago i couldnt get around to it and i had to go 4k and I felt like i was pouring sand in the crank case. If nothing else, changing at 3k offers peace of mind.

I'm not sure about those fram filters. I wouldn't run a Fram Oil filter in my worst enemy's car.

Whats wrong with Fram I really didnt think there was much diff between brands - theyall seem to have the same micron size filter material. I compared fram, purolator, and K&N. the fram seemed mechanically stronger than the purolator and the K&N is a nice piece but twice the price!
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />

The problem with the Fram filter isn't in the filtering media and it's micron rating, but it's in the quality of the materials they use. For one, they use cardboard endcaps instead of metal, so unfiltered oil can leak. And for those filters which have bypass valves in them these bypass valves can stick open easily due to their inferior design (GM engines have the bypass in the block mind you) They also use antidrainback valves which don't hold the oil as well. Many people I've talked to have found more valvetrain noise on startup when using Fram oil filters. If you do a Google search using the words "fram oil filter" you'll be shocked at the number of horror stories you will read on these filters failing.

Simply put, there are better filters out there for the same money or less. In particular I like the Wix/NAPA Gold/Carquest Premium, or the K&N oil filter. The Walmart Supertech is also a very good filter too for a $2 filter. Bosch Premium is also a good filter.

Well i wish i read your post before i put the fram on. Ive been using AC delcos and now with the fram she picked up ALOT of valvetrain noise at idle <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> guess ill be climbing under to change it out - i cant deal with that
thanks
also dont know if you guys have picked up on this yet but a AC Delco PF59 will fit no prob on an F-body and give you a little more oil capacity

its all a racket. of coarse they say 3000 miles or 3 months. thats to keep us buying the oil and filters! they had to through in a time line for the people that dont rack up miles.if everyone in the US went from the 3000 mile rule to the 10000 mile interval thats a 35% decrease in sales and loss of hours for the quicky change shit holes. is it a good practice to keep your oil clean....sure. is every 3000 necessary? no. its more to do with your driving habits. i personally do it about every 2500-3000. im brainwashed too. but as far as time line they give....that i ignore. <img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />

5,000 miles works for me with Mobile 1. If you really drive the car hard 3,000 miles.

My 91 RS has over 247,000 miles on it. Average oil chage was at 4,000 to 5,000 miles on dyno oil. Used Mobile 1 since 165,000 miles. I usually let the Mobile 1 go to 5,000 to 6,000 miles.

dont know if you guys picked up on this yet but an AC Delco filter #PF59 fits an f-body fine and increases your oil capacity a little bit
<img border="0" alt="[burn out]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_burnout.gif" />

LAST OF Z28 I agree its all a marketing ploy by oil companies.They have brainwashed us into thinking its required and its not.My SS gets changed ever 10 passes my other rides when I feel like it(every 5-6000 miles)they last to 200,000+ miles still running today.Imagine meeting between oil execs <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> they believe our 3000 mile B.S. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> they found out the truth,there goes 25 billion a year in profits.

<small>[ March 23, 2003, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: t-76Y2KSS ]</small>

I change my cars oil enery 500-1000 miles. Car sits more than its driven. Oil breaks down when it sits too long. And any way i am way over protective of my stuff. Sometimes i wish i wasn't like that because people tell me that i waste money when i change my oil too frequently like that

The 3k oil change is without a doubt overkill with synthetic oil. Like I posted above, you can see many synthetic used oil analysis results on that page.

I just changed my sister's oil today, she went 8k on Mobil 1. I sent her oil out for analysis, and I know without a doubt it will come back saying it was suitable for continued use. I'm going to push her intervals even further from now on, since she puts on 500 to 600 miles a week. Changing her oil every 3k would just be silly.