Oil Changes
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Joined: Oct 2008
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I had 3 older Volvos, each with >300K miles, one has nearly 500K. None are on synthetic oil (my G is on Mobil 1 though), but the oil was changed at 3-4 K. There will several opinions here, but your best bet for determining the optimum oil change frequency for your car requires that you perform several oil analysis during one oil change interval (they're not expensive actually). For example, if your vehicle has 15,000 miles on it and the manufacturer recommends 7500 mile oil changes for normal service and 5000 miles for severe, perform an analysis at 18,750 miles, 20,000 miles, and 22,500 miles (if the first or second test shows a need for an oil change then stop there). Do not exceed the manufacturer's normal service interval even if the analysis shows no need for an oil change at 7500 miles. The oil change industry desperately desires that you NOT perform such an analysis. The almost certain result for most drivers will be that even at 7500 miles the oil will still be fine.
Big oil users like bus companies and truck fleets (many of those engines exceed 500K miles on average) use oil analysis to extend the life of their engines without unnecessary oil changes. The reasons are clear. These big engines can use 3-4 gallons of oil and unnecessary changes are expensive in both time and materials. In some cases they change the filters and put in additives to replace the acid neutralizers and anti-wear agents. A good analogy is swimming pool maintenance. You clean the filters, you remove the debris, you add stabilizers and disinfectants, but you rarely empty the the entire 10,000 gallon pool and refill it.
Places to get your oil analyzed are:
http://blackstone-labs.com/
http://www.noria.com/
http://www.staveleyfa.com/public/FLlabtesting.asp
http://www.spectroinc.com/industries...evelopment.htm
I use Mobil 1 and change my oil every 9K miles, also change my filter at every 4-5K (but this is not necessary).
Finally, one last caution, my understanding is that the lion's share of engine wear occurs immediately after the oil change (i.e., within the first minute), this would suggest that the more frequent your oil changes, the greater engine damage over time. Hopefully someone else can flesh this one out in more detail... or debunk it!
Big oil users like bus companies and truck fleets (many of those engines exceed 500K miles on average) use oil analysis to extend the life of their engines without unnecessary oil changes. The reasons are clear. These big engines can use 3-4 gallons of oil and unnecessary changes are expensive in both time and materials. In some cases they change the filters and put in additives to replace the acid neutralizers and anti-wear agents. A good analogy is swimming pool maintenance. You clean the filters, you remove the debris, you add stabilizers and disinfectants, but you rarely empty the the entire 10,000 gallon pool and refill it.
Places to get your oil analyzed are:
http://blackstone-labs.com/
http://www.noria.com/
http://www.staveleyfa.com/public/FLlabtesting.asp
http://www.spectroinc.com/industries...evelopment.htm
I use Mobil 1 and change my oil every 9K miles, also change my filter at every 4-5K (but this is not necessary).
Finally, one last caution, my understanding is that the lion's share of engine wear occurs immediately after the oil change (i.e., within the first minute), this would suggest that the more frequent your oil changes, the greater engine damage over time. Hopefully someone else can flesh this one out in more detail... or debunk it!
Last edited by Braintree; Nov 29, 2008 at 08:12 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 486
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Originally Posted by GBoy
I'm in the North East and my mechanic put in Castrol Syn 5W50
I have 100,000 miles on my car. Is that the right oil..
Anthony
I have 100,000 miles on my car. Is that the right oil..
Anthony
Might not be the best for winter. I think the range on the G is nearer 5w/30. The 5w delivers exceptional cold temperature pumpability for rapid oil circulation at start (it's a thinner oil), especially in winter weather where you live: the 50 (thicker oil numbers) is generally for running your car in hotter weathers (Mojave desert, West TX).
I'm at 6k and its getting changed today with car wash for 29.99 at bella terra carwash. I don't usually go this long but I'd say every 4-6k to be safe. My truck every 6k easy. My brother is a master tech and he said every 5-6k for daily drivers is perfect.
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I always erred on the shorter intervals, 3-4k miles if not at longest 5-6k miles... Oil changes don't cost too much anyway, ( less than a tank of gas ) and it's always good to have clean fluid in the car.
You could probably go and just change the filter every 5k and top off the oil, but If you're going to be doing all of that anyway, I'd just do the job completely.
You could probably go and just change the filter every 5k and top off the oil, but If you're going to be doing all of that anyway, I'd just do the job completely.
Mobil 1 5w30 with Fram or Mobil 1 Filter and change every 6-7k
I usually stock up when Autozone has special of 5qts + filter for $24.99
Anyone know where I can buy the Fumoto drain plug?
I usually stock up when Autozone has special of 5qts + filter for $24.99
Anyone know where I can buy the Fumoto drain plug?
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Amsoil 0W-30 Fully Synthetic changed every 6 months. normally around 3-4K miles with a factory oil filter. live in NYC. its good oil and is said to be able to do 25K no problem. don't want to test it though. clean the k&n drop in every year.
