Changing oil on your daily-driver ... ??

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I use only Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic and change it every 10,000 miles in both cars.

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix with 122,000

1999 Buick Park Avenue with 200,000

I've had Buick 3.8's in the past go close to 300,000 and never had a failure. The only reason I've never seen more than that is because I sold them or the wife wrecked them!

Both cars get fully warmed up and see plenty of highway miles to burn off contaminants.

I tried going to a lighter 5w30 over the recommended 10w30 for better mileage but they started burning it.

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Yes, but that 44 quart oil pan also allows for the oil to go much longer before it reaches the same ppm contaminants than your average, 3-5 quart oil pan

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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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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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main questions are how you drive, were you drive and type of vehical. If you drive short trips all the time and never warm up the engine, change it more often, if you live in a very dirty, dusty area, change it more often. if drive mostly highway you can extend it longer. I feel the biggest problem is not the oil going bad, but what gets in the oil that can cause problems. on todays modern cars i do beleive you can go longer,

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Well ....knock me over with a feather .... ole C S is here !!!

Come on now ...the eye-ball "test" can sure give you the quick basics

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What's up doc?

It's always a pleasure to talk oil with you. Anyway help clearify if you would...

I can't read through this text communication as to if your are you joking or not? Do you really believe in some sort of "eye-ball test"?

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Someone I know is going to ___ me but I just checked my last THREE changes(as far as mileage) .... and this opened-my-eyes ....

4246, 5464 and ..... 9016

...and the last two did not really need a change ... I just felt my little 4 banger 5 speed Caravan deserved some fresh-oil.

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Also, you're listing mileages of your last three oil changes, correct? How did you know the last two did not need a change? And did something happen with the fist oil change that it needed changed sooner?



AKA, ole C S