Running a free dealership oil change that has went over the time limit of factory recommended OCI by about a month. Factory recommended OCI's are at 5000 miles or six months and I only have about 3500 miles on the car. The car is driven everyday but I only make short runs to work or school with it. Is it safe to keep running this dino oil for say another 4 months or should I go ahead and make the switch to synthetic?
How long is it safe to leave oil in an engine?
- Thread starter Rockford Fosgate Fan
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I wouldn't worry about the time component.
What i would worry about is those short runs... if they're so short that the engine doesn't get up to proper operating temp for long enough to burn off fuel and moisture, then this would be of some concern.
If you're still under warranty (are you?), I'd stick to the factory recommendations, just to CYA.
What i would worry about is those short runs... if they're so short that the engine doesn't get up to proper operating temp for long enough to burn off fuel and moisture, then this would be of some concern.
If you're still under warranty (are you?), I'd stick to the factory recommendations, just to CYA.
Kestas
Staff member
I agree. With your short runs you should not wait to 5000 miles, nor should you switch to synthetic yet.
Why shouldn't I start using synthetic?
Kestas
Staff member
I recommended holding off with the synthetic because the short trips can result in moisture in the oil, plus elevated wear particles from many startups. It's better to refresh cheap oil than to run it long in that condition with synthetic.
Short runs mean more frequent oil changes due to the possibility of the motor oil not getting warm enough to evaporate the condensation. That makes syn oil less than an ideal choice of oil for your application. There is no real need for syn oils unless you do extended oil change intervals or due to engine design the mfg. recommends the use of syn. oil.
What should be considered a short run, the car probably gets around 15-20 miles a day when driven.
Originally Posted By: Rockford Fosgate Fan
What should be considered a short run, the car probably gets around 15-20 miles a day when driven.
Well why didnt you say so? Thats not bad at all. When you said short trip I figured a mile or 2. 15 miles a day is more than plenty to get your engine up to temp. If thats your regular daily drive then stick with the 5k.
What should be considered a short run, the car probably gets around 15-20 miles a day when driven.
Well why didnt you say so? Thats not bad at all. When you said short trip I figured a mile or 2. 15 miles a day is more than plenty to get your engine up to temp. If thats your regular daily drive then stick with the 5k.
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