Extended OCI

[poiuy223]

The debate of frequent changes vs extended drains shows up everywhere. The main point that everyone seems to make is the effective cost savings you would attain from extended drains. So it got me wondering...is it really saving you money if you're topping off with quarts?

Let's take this example:

Person 1 changes oil A every 5k miles. Each change costs him $15 in oil (using Autozone QSGB special). For 15,000 miles, he would need 3 changes. 3x $15 = $45.

Person 2 changes oil B every 15k miles. Each change costs him $33 in oil (using Autozone M1 EP special). For 15,000 miles, he would need 1 change. 1x $33 = $33.

Now let's give these 2 guys the same car--a beater that consumes 1/2 qt every 3k miles.

By the time Person 1 hits 5k miles, he would have lost a tad under 1 quart. While he may need to top it off to go on, it's dismissed because he goes in to change out his oil entirely, putting in a fresh batch of oil. This is repeated 3 times.

For Person 2, by the time he hits 5k miles, he would have lost a tad under 1 quart just like Person 1. To go on to continue his extended drain, he would need to top it off. He goes out to buy a quart of M1 EP -- $7/qt (and I'm being generous here). After another 5k miles, he needs to top it off again, going out to buy another qt of M1 EP, spending another $7. At the end of his last 5k miles, the car again consumed a little under 1 qt. Instead of topping it off, it is dismissed because he has reached his 15k mile oci and will put in a fresh batch of oil.

Now calculations...

Person 1 spends 3x $15 = $45

Person 2 spends 1x $33 = $33 + $7 (first top off) = $40 + $7 (second top off) = $47 total in the end.

Is extended drain saving money when $47 > $45?

Of course if the car consumes no oil then extended drains would be the obvious choice, but from the consensus that a good chunk of cars out on the roads need top off oil, how are they saving money?

 

[SuperDave456]

I think it is more about a person's time. How much of it do you have to spend under your car?
Also, if you drive for a living, sales or otherwise, having a car down for an afternoon is a hassle.
If a person was doing 25,000-30,000 miles a year you could do a bypass system and it would save you a considerable amount of down time.

Sure you pay more when you are topping up, but that is fresh oil, and topping up takes less than a minute. You can top up while you are stopped filling up your gas on a trip.

I no longer drive enough for extended OCI's and everything I own gets dino.

Shoot, I am driving my truck because I only clocked about 1,400 miles in the past 10 months on it. I was unemployed for 6 of those 10 months and didn't care to pay $70-$80 to fill it up.

Time is money.

 

[Samilcar]

Do these people change oil filters with every oil change?

 

[poiuy223]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
I think it is more about a person's time. How much of it do you have to spend under your car?
Also, if you drive for a living, sales or otherwise, having a car down for an afternoon is a hassle.
If a person was doing 25,000-30,000 miles a year you could do a bypass system and it would save you a considerable amount of down time.

Sure you pay more when you are topping up, but that is fresh oil, and topping up takes less than a minute. You can top up while you are stopped filling up your gas on a trip.

I no longer drive enough for extended OCI's and everything I own gets dino.

Shoot, I am driving my truck because I only clocked about 1,400 miles in the past 10 months on it. I was unemployed for 6 of those 10 months and didn't care to pay $70-$80 to fill it up.

Time is money.

Definitely agree. Time > Money. But that is a different reason why some of us choose extended drains. I was just wondering how the money reasoning comes in to play for extended drains for someone who needs to top off oil every now and then.

Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Do these people change oil filters with every oil change?

Yes. The deals listed includes filter.

 

[lexus114]

IMHO; I simply DO NOT do extended drains on my vehicles. Unless it`s set up from the factory for it i.e Mercedes. (flame suit donned)

 

[spasm3]

The last topoff would not have to be ep oil, it could be any conventional oil, since it will only have to be in 5k. The advantage of extended drains with syn, is the time spent either under the car or in the waiting area of the change facility. The car will be just fine with either as long as you are adhereing to the service schedule i.e. severe service vs non severe.

 

[surfstar]

I just bought 5qts PenzPlat and a FramTG filter that will cost me ~$1 after rebate. I get great oil for rock bottom prices and stock up, so it only boils down to my own labor/time when deciding on OCIs.

 

[electrolover]

its the same price to do dino for 5k or syn for 10k, which is what most people do. now factor in UOAs on top of that. it costs more for a UOA than a dino oil change.

im always going to be a sooner rather than later kind of guy i guess. but if it were not for people pushing the envelope and sharing to the world we would not have this vast amount of knowledge at our finger tips.

so thanx again BITOG

 

[sm00thpapa]

What time are you all talking about? Do you work 24/7? It takes less than 30 minutes to change your own oil. What about picking a nice weekend and just stay home and change your oil. It's cheaper and at least you know it's done correctly. And if your lazy and wan't to stop into a quick lube place and can't wait about 30 minutes every 6 months you have issues.

 

[bullwinkle]

Remember, too, that AZ $15 OC includes a (most likely) STP or AC Delco Ecore filter-that's like playing Russian Roulette with THREE bullets in the revolver, the EP special comes with a synthetic media Mobil 1 filter-arguably one of the best filters out there. Add in the Mobil Rewards program and AZ's buy $20 5 times get $20 free program, the financial difference gets a lot smaller. No Ecores for me, sorry!

 

[bullwinkle]

I would add that any beater of mine would get the cheapest decent oil I could find, QSGB would be too good for it (unless it was FAR or cose to it).

 

[SuperDave456]

Don't know guys... this thread got me thinking. 2 Jobs and a wife that is going back to college as a full time student. I don't have much time.
Things are going to get more hectic as the holidays get closer. More hours in both of my jobs.

Any extra time I have not working I'm going to have to schedule for sleep or trying not to neglect my relationship with my wife.

I find that 30 minute oil changes don't happen. You pull out the ramps, get the car on the ramps, get your parts and tools out that you need. Drain oil (check the gasket and seal of the drain plug), pull the oil oil filter, check the air filter, put new oil filter on, refill oil, wipe everything down to keep it clean.
Sure it sounds easy. But typically to not be rushed, as rushing is when you drop stuff, break stuff, or hurt yourself (exhaust manifolds hurt), it takes me closer to an hour.

More than an hour depending on what else is going on or if there is something else that needs attention.

I've been considering doing the drain and fill and leaving the filter for another OCI, just as it saves some time and a few bucks (And I imagine that saying so will incite a flame war here).

And on my truck that I have done 1,400 miles in the past 10 months, which is now at 1,700 miles in 11 months. I am really thinking about doing a 2 year OCI on it.
Havoline 10w30 and a bottle of Shaeffers #132 Moly EP Oil Treatment.
Sure it is Dino, but it is hotter than heck here and the Devil wants his weather back. I am sure that any condensation that is there is minimal, if even measurable, and I really don't drive it that much.

As far as my other cars go... I could just start topping off with Mobil 1 High Mileage oils. The Taurus has a small leak that Maxlife has really slowed down. I may be able to do a 2 year OCI on that one... And the Xterra only goes to and from school with my wife, but with the small sump it really can't do an extended OCI. 3.3 Quarts on a V6 make me nervous with the Xterra.

I really could use that extra 30 minutes to do other things... You guys really have me thinking.

 

[poiuy223]

Hmmm. Lots of feedback but nothing on the cost effectiveness of doing extended drains. What I'm reading here is that Time is the reason why they would do extended. I guess the money aspect is not as big a deal as I originally thought.

 

[Radman]

If one truly wanted to be economical since we are counting dollars... then Group 2 oil would be most cost effective. Oil accumulates containments at the same rate whether it is synthetic or mineral based.

Educated choice is what most people on the board apply.

I have a Maxima that is driven seldom and parked during the winter; OCI twice a year with M1 0W40. Sentra that is driven all city; OCI every three months regardless of mileage with Castrol GTX 5W30 nine months out of the year and in Winter M1 0W40. My work car is a Suzuki that gets driven 25K a year; OCI every 4K miles with Castrol GTX 5W30.

All the oils I use are top notch along with premium filters. Doing it myself takes less than 10 minutes per car. You decide along with your wallet what makes dollars & sense.

 

[hominid7]

There is also what i would call the "hands on" factor. Changing your oil every 3000-5000 miles forces you to look under your car, pop the hood, check other stuff, which could prevent costly break-downs.

I use dino oil and change it often. I also enjoy changing it and don't see the cost as a big factor for me, since i'm only servicing one vehicle. People in other situations may have different priorities/needs, and i respect that.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: hominid7
There is also what i would call the "hands on" factor. Changing your oil every 3000-5000 miles forces you to look under your car, pop the hood, check other stuff, which could prevent costly break-downs.

I use dino oil and change it often. I also enjoy changing it and don't see the cost as a big factor for me, since i'm only servicing one vehicle. People in other situations may have different priorities/needs, and i respect that.



Very good point! That is how I discovered my radiator was starting to leak. (not bad enough to leave any puddles)

 

[sm00thpapa]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
Don't know guys... this thread got me thinking. 2 Jobs and a wife that is going back to college as a full time student. I don't have much time.
Things are going to get more hectic as the holidays get closer. More hours in both of my jobs.

Any extra time I have not working I'm going to have to schedule for sleep or trying not to neglect my relationship with my wife.

I find that 30 minute oil changes don't happen. You pull out the ramps, get the car on the ramps, get your parts and tools out that you need. Drain oil (check the gasket and seal of the drain plug), pull the oil oil filter, check the air filter, put new oil filter on, refill oil, wipe everything down to keep it clean.
Sure it sounds easy. But typically to not be rushed, as rushing is when you drop stuff, break stuff, or hurt yourself (exhaust manifolds hurt), it takes me closer to an hour.

More than an hour depending on what else is going on or if there is something else that needs attention.

I've been considering doing the drain and fill and leaving the filter for another OCI, just as it saves some time and a few bucks (And I imagine that saying so will incite a flame war here).

And on my truck that I have done 1,400 miles in the past 10 months, which is now at 1,700 miles in 11 months. I am really thinking about doing a 2 year OCI on it.
Havoline 10w30 and a bottle of Shaeffers #132 Moly EP Oil Treatment.
Sure it is Dino, but it is hotter than heck here and the Devil wants his weather back. I am sure that any condensation that is there is minimal, if even measurable, and I really don't drive it that much.

As far as my other cars go... I could just start topping off with Mobil 1 High Mileage oils. The Taurus has a small leak that Maxlife has really slowed down. I may be able to do a 2 year OCI on that one... And the Xterra only goes to and from school with my wife, but with the small sump it really can't do an extended OCI. 3.3 Quarts on a V6 make me nervous with the Xterra.

I really could use that extra 30 minutes to do other things... You guys really have me thinking.

Superdave I totally respect your comment and understand. But I don't see how time is the issue though. You have time to brush your teeth, comb your hair, shave, take a shower, get dressed and go to work daily. I can't see why you can't take 1 hour every 6 months to change your oil. If your putting time aside to not neglect your wife put some time aside to not neglect your vehicles. I am military and my wife is a government employee and we have 3 kids at home. Every weekend we do something as a family maybe a water park, movies, amusement park something to get out of the house. No matter if it's the weekend or a night during the week I found time to change my oil. It could be at midnight when my family is sleeping or 0400 hours before they wake up. Or I just tell my wife hey baby I'm changing the oil today and be done in an hour then we can go do what ever you want. I just don't see time as being an issue.

Superdave, What ever you decide to do I wish you all the best.

 

[SuperDave456]

Good call Sm00thpapa. It's all about making priorities.

Or in other words the 5 P's.

Poor Planning Promotes Pretty Poor Performance.

Just thinking about how many vehicles survive neglect, and what neglect really is. We here at BITOG think alot about this, and here I am thinking about how to get the most out of what I have.
I've seen UOA's on an older Suburban that have gone 9,000 miles over 24 months on SuperTech Synthetic that were stellar. And I've seen cars that are totaled due to neglect.

Just thinking out loud how to truly "extend" my OCI while not entering into the "Oops I haven't changed my oil in 30,000 miles" type of person.

And there is some truth about the "hands-on" portion of it all. I've seen more than one guy who has no idea how to open the hood of his own car. Think he would ever catch his head gasket going? Or would his engine overheat and possibly seize before he knew what was going on?

 

[tig1]

Stactics can be aranged for ones own purpose. You have done that to a degree in your scenario.

 

[Artem]

Time = Money.

Add that to the cost of savings, if any and the equation changes.

I make $25 an hour. so 1.5 hours spent changing the oil 3 times a year vs only doing it once is enough to close this case all on its own.

The fact that a synthetic oil protects the engine better, that is also a plus. Lets not forget a higher quality oil filter on top of that, which will keep things cleaner as well.

Just my