Oil change intervals?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Fla
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 $$$ away
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Fla
Oil change intervals??? Just wondering what everybodys thought were on this. I guess Im old school, but i have a real hard time going past 3000 miles I have been using Mobil 1 with Fram filters. I didnt reset my oil change lite after the last change and I have almost 7000 miles and still no lite. Most of my driving is highway, but still do you guys feel it is safe to go this long - even with synth oil. I know oil is not THAT expensive but at almost $5/qt i hate to throw $$$ away
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,603
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town, IL
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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" />
Like to keep it extra clean... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Fla
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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>
<small>[ March 19, 2003, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: XLR8VRL ]</small>
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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/s.../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/...=100&submit=Go
One of the more recent posts showed someone going 20k on Amsoil.
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/s.../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/...=100&submit=Go
One of the more recent posts showed someone going 20k on Amsoil.
Trending Topics
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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/s.../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/...=100&submit=Go
One of the more recent posts showed someone going 20k on Amsoil.
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/s.../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/...=100&submit=Go
One of the more recent posts showed someone going 20k on Amsoil.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Fla
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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" />
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" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil change intervals??? </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.
<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.
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil change intervals??? </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.
<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.
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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 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
Launching!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Evans GA
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Fla
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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" />
<img border="0" alt="[USA]" title="" src="graemlins/patriot.gif" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil change intervals??? 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.
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.