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It is funny that people really think that just because they use synthetic oil that they can extend their oil change frequency. The oil whether Dino or synthetic collect the same contaminants and it the contaminants that do the damage not the oil wearing out.
The chrysler owners manual suggests the same oil change schedule either way.
Oh well to each their own. Like I said oil is cheap maintenance so I will continue with my frequent changes.

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It is funny that people really think that just because they use synthetic oil that they can extend their oil change frequency. The oil whether Dino or synthetic collect the same contaminants and it the contaminants that do the damage not the oil wearing out.
The chrysler owners manual suggests the same oil change schedule either way.
Oh well to each their own. Like I said oil is cheap maintenance so I will continue with my frequent changes.

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So you're saying that synthetics "break down" at the same interval that dino juice oils do?

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My neon burns enough oil that it gets a fresh quart every 1500 or so so I dont feel the need to change the oil anymore; it changes itself.

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good to know i am not the only one!

i have to add a quart or 2 a week to my chevy beater pick up.

it smokes like a fog machine at a kiss concert, but wont die.

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WHAT determines WHEN you change it ? ... I do the eyeball, smell and feel-test more than actual mileage.

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It is funny that people really think that just because they use synthetic oil that they can extend their oil change frequency. The oil whether Dino or synthetic collect the same contaminants and it the contaminants that do the damage not the oil wearing out.

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It's equally funny how people think oil filters are created equal just like motor oil. If you want to run an extended life synthetic motor oil, you probably should step up to an extended life oil filter.

Look, I've been driving the point here for a while. The key to determining oil change intervals is with Used Oil Analysis.

I've been doing Used Oil Analysis on my daily driver and can back up what I'm talking about with laboratory analysis.

For example, I went 10-months/7,500-miles on an extended life synthetic motor oil and appropriate oil filter. I then changed the oil and filter, caught a used oil sample and sent it off to an ISO accredited lab for analysis. I even went one step further and paid extra for an ISO particle count to see the larger contaminate particles suspended in the oil. The report I got back stated that the oil was still suitable for use and to re-test after another 3,500-miles or 65-hours. Too bad the oil was already dumped and at the recyclers at that point; money down the drain.

So you have people changing their oil based on color, feel, smell, opinion, but not on the reality of modern oils, filters, and mechanics.

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I used to send my oil out to be tested about 20 years ago, it always came back usable. I really didn't learn much other than the oil was still good and I was wasting money on oil testing. I guess that's why I run the miles that I do on motor oil.

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Used Oil Analysis was worth it for me. What I learned from it was that my oil was averaging 2-to-3% fuel dilution which prompted me to get caught up on some maintenance items.

I had my fuel injectors professionally flow tested and cleaned and I replaced my PCV valve.

Although I haven't retested my oil since those changes, my car idles better and has improved low end torque. And since excessive fuel in the oil degrades it more rapidly, I'm hoping for an even better Used Oil Analysis report next run.

Now had I continued the rut I was in by changing my oil every 3-months regardless of mileage, I probably wouldn't have been so proactive about targeting the aforementioned maintenance items the oil analysis promoted me to do.

Also, the money I saved by changing my oil less paid for the Used Oil Analysis.

Back to the issue of fuel dilution. It's a known fact that PAO synthetics take a beating to fuel dilution better than conventional oils.

For example:

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Ha,ha! smokes like a fog machine at a kiss concert! Too funny. I change oil every other month. 120 miles per day. '99 Dakota R/T.

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