Extending oil intervals now
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From: Hartsdale, NY
Extending oil intervals now I like using big words like "oil interval." For those of you who do not know, folks here have indicated that this term refers to the periods of time between oil changes. I accept this as an industry term and I like using it since it makes me feel like I know something important.
Anyway, I used to change oil every three months or so. I have done this myself for at least 30 years in dozens of cars I have owned and I have never had an oil related engine/transmission failure.
So now, I have not changed my underware - I mean oil - for about eight or ten months now. This in a 7 Series BMW and a Camaro LS6 that are driven about 12K per year.
The BMW has an 8 quart pan so I think the engine oil takes a bunch longer to get dirty. My Camaro is getting a tad bit long in the tooth and I am lazier now then when it was new.
Anyway, I have concluded that this is no big deal. I suspect today's oil (I use Moble One only) is better than the old stuff of yester-year.
Is this correct, or should I go home and ditch the old stuff immediately?
Anyway, I used to change oil every three months or so. I have done this myself for at least 30 years in dozens of cars I have owned and I have never had an oil related engine/transmission failure.
So now, I have not changed my underware - I mean oil - for about eight or ten months now. This in a 7 Series BMW and a Camaro LS6 that are driven about 12K per year.
The BMW has an 8 quart pan so I think the engine oil takes a bunch longer to get dirty. My Camaro is getting a tad bit long in the tooth and I am lazier now then when it was new.
Anyway, I have concluded that this is no big deal. I suspect today's oil (I use Moble One only) is better than the old stuff of yester-year.
Is this correct, or should I go home and ditch the old stuff immediately?
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Hartsdale, NY
I did an underware analysis (Blackston) on my Camaro about two years ago after I swaped the head and cam in my garage. They said it was great oil test with less than normal contaminants.
In the old days, with non-synthetic oil, I could tell if it is dirty by the color of the oil. For synthetic, however, it seems to turn dark immediately so it is much harder to tell what the correct "oil interval" should be.
In the old days, with non-synthetic oil, I could tell if it is dirty by the color of the oil. For synthetic, however, it seems to turn dark immediately so it is much harder to tell what the correct "oil interval" should be.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Saginaw, MI
Here is my opinion: A filter will last a year in a oil bath before the paper breaks down. OK so if your under milage and not racing the car this is the max. I like to change the oil atleast twice a year. Other than that I wait for the light to come.(4k to 5K) Using moble 1 in a modern lean running car I think the filter is the weak spot, don't want to run in bypass.
P.S. I don't like ac delco's smaller filter.
P.S. I don't like ac delco's smaller filter.
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From: Kent WA
IMO, I would change oil at least once a year, regardless of how low the mileage might be. Also, getting the oil analysis of your oil after your one year interval is the best way to know if its ok to run that long on the same oil.
Since I race my car regularly, I change my oil every 6 months... once before race season, and once after. I use Amsoil XL 5w30, along with Amsoil's SDF filter.
Since I race my car regularly, I change my oil every 6 months... once before race season, and once after. I use Amsoil XL 5w30, along with Amsoil's SDF filter.
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From: Michigan
Personally, I run Mobil 1 Synthetic in everything. This spring I went to the extended mileage (15,000) Mobil 1. I've been running 6,000-8,000 miles ever since I switched to synthetic in all my vehicles in 2000. Never had aany problems, I drive 100 miles round trip for work 5-6 days a week in my Cav and unless I get over mileage the Camaro gets it changed in the spring when i get it out and the fall when i put it up. These are my 4th and 5th vehicles to do this with. This is just my formula but its been effective. I've also been putting a pint of Lucas oil treatment in each vehicle every oil change and i swear by the stuff. Easier starts, less engine noise, smoother idle. My old '89 chevy with 160k on it would smoke when you first started it, not after I put Lucas in. I would recommend changing it twice a year and you should be fine on 12K, IMO. But like Tranzor said, at least once regardless of mileage. 
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From: Kent WA
Originally Posted by Brains
You should still change the filter at more "normal" intervals, and then top off with fresh oil.
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Brett Foote TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Kent WA
Originally Posted by Orange Terror
I've also been putting a pint of Lucas oil treatment in each vehicle every oil change and i swear by the stuff. Easier starts, less engine noise, smoother idle. My old '89 chevy with 160k on it would smoke when you first started it, not after I put Lucas in.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
I also post on www.bobistheoilguy.com and learned many things about lubricants. I ONLY use German Castrol 0W-30 in my LS1 NO EXCEPTIONS!!! 6-8K intervals with this stuff has yeilded the BEST wear/contaminents and still have 20-25% oil life left. Some have even pushed it to 10K with awesome results. If you run an excellent filter and syn oil combo you can run the long OCI (oil change intervals) that you wish to. That's the acronym we use for intervals at BITOG.
Also, avoid Lucas like the plague! It took 4 OCI to flush the yellowish white milky crap it left in my motor. Now I am running www.auto-rx.com and it is cleaning my internals like a ****. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who wants their engine it tip top shape. This definetly isn't snake oil.
Also, avoid Lucas like the plague! It took 4 OCI to flush the yellowish white milky crap it left in my motor. Now I am running www.auto-rx.com and it is cleaning my internals like a ****. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who wants their engine it tip top shape. This definetly isn't snake oil.
Last edited by UnleashedBeast; Jun 28, 2005 at 05:55 PM.
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From: Just This Side of Damnation
I've been running Mobil 1 in my vehicles since 1986 and have had some great results. I had an '88 Chevy Truck w/350 that had a compromised head gasket resulting in a cracked block. I talked to the mechanic that was into the motor up to his elbows and he was absolutely amazed at the condition of the motor as it related to oil use. The insides were clean as a whistle and the bores were beautiful at 66k miles. I run it in everything now, including the mowers and garden tiller.
The more I learned about synthetic oil the more I became interested in extended oil change intervals. My research led me to an outstanding web site that did exactly what we are discussing - extended use of synthetic oils in a '98 Z28, using underwear analysis by Blackstone Labs.
Here is the link Extended Oil Change Intervals Study
Much of the information is included in links from the page and sidebars, so there is more depth to the study than is evident from simply the front page. It's a great read.
The more I learned about synthetic oil the more I became interested in extended oil change intervals. My research led me to an outstanding web site that did exactly what we are discussing - extended use of synthetic oils in a '98 Z28, using underwear analysis by Blackstone Labs.
Here is the link Extended Oil Change Intervals Study
Much of the information is included in links from the page and sidebars, so there is more depth to the study than is evident from simply the front page. It's a great read.
TECH Apprentice
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From: Michigan
Definetely some interesting stuff there guys. Personally, I've not seen any foaming or anything else that would lead me to believe that the lucas is hurting my engine. Power levels are good and consistent, so I guess the only thing I can do is stick with my regimen untill something changes or it fails me. Great info though on those posts.
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From: Just This Side of Damnation
Orange, as I understand it oil treatments are mostly full of a heavy weight oil. All the things claimed by oil treatments would largely be duplicated by adding a heavier weight oil/lube. Not sure about EVERY oil treatment, but I do recall from some article years ago that STP was little more than a very thick oil that merely increased the viscosity of the oil in the crankcase.
Just stirring things up...
Just stirring things up...
TECH Apprentice
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From: Michigan
Originally Posted by Mr Incredible
Orange, as I understand it oil treatments are mostly full of a heavy weight oil. All the things claimed by oil treatments would largely be duplicated by adding a heavier weight oil/lube. Not sure about EVERY oil treatment, but I do recall from some article years ago that STP was little more than a very thick oil that merely increased the viscosity of the oil in the crankcase.
Just stirring things up...
Just stirring things up...
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From: Just This Side of Damnation
I remember an interesting chart that graphed the relative viscosities between oils and gear lubes. I don't have a copy but I found a much better chart at this SITE. It's down towards the bottom of the page.