My Oil Experience since 1971

[Pablo]

Let me see.....oil has been in the Volvo for 16 months now, 15K+ miles.....prior to that all oil changes have been 8K-20K....130K now......

Ma kar is gonna asplode!!! (borrowed and adapted from a BITOG member)

I'm still waiting for my first oil related failure.

 

[Kestas]

My442, I too have taken care of many vehicles since the early 70s. Early on I followed the recommended 6K schedule. I'm not a synthetic user unless the car is turbo or the owner specifies it. Some cars go a couple years before the oil is changed because of low use.

I too have never had a lube-related failure. And our family is one of the few that keeps their cars from cradle to grave.

I'm glad your philosophy works for you. I just wanted to add my experience for those that may infer from your post that 3 month oil changes are the way to go. (Again, we have a poster who reports oil changes in months and neglects to give the mileage.)

As long as oil maintenance isn't neglected, no car owner should experience lube-related engine failures (barring engine defects).

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I too am waiting for my first oil failure.

I've been driving and changing my own oil for nearly 50 years. During the first half of that time I followed the 2-3000 mile rule. Since then it's been 4-8000 miles, with the last few years at closer to 10K oil changes. All of those vehicles lasted well beyond the average service life, and none ever suffered an engine lubrication failure. All were sold still running, although a few older ones had body rust issues.

My tractors and yard equipment all get annual oil changes. The tractors are all from 1939-1950 and none have ever suffered an oil related failure in my 20 years of ownership. 2 are show tractors and only run a few hours a year-the other 2 are work tractors and get some hard use in temperatures from -20 (snow plowing) to 100+ (field mowing).

I like to follow the quality rather than quantity rule when it comes to oil changes.

 

[farrarfan1]

Originally Posted By: My442


My oil change philosophy on cars is to change the oil and filter every 3 months with quality stuff.


If a 3 month OCI is a good idea, wouldn't every 2 months be better? 1 month even better than 2. Weekly changes would be ideal.Maybe even daily changes with "quality stuff".

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: tig1
17 year old Honda lawn mower. Large lawn to mow so a lot of hours on the mower. I change once a year with synt. 10-30.


Honda engines are hard to kill any way. You could probably run drain oil in that thing and get away with it.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: FastSUV
Yes, you can use "On Sale" dino & a Fram filter for that matter and as long as you change it every 3k, it will last darn near forever...people overlook this on this site more than any other site I have been to because nobody wants to change their oil.

I know that it is best to get the most for your money, but if we folowed the old way of doing things and did dino every 3-4k (unless we drove a Vette), then we would not need to spend so much time on this site beating ourselves up mentally.

As for the lawn equip...I change once a year w/ 30w Briggs oil...more than the avg Joe does I'm sure...


You have a very good point here.And the other thing that sticks in my mind is,Even the synthetic oil companies recommend changing the oil under the manufacturer`s instructions while it is under warranty.So why are they saying this if it truely is an extended drain oil?

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: sparkplug
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
One member got this result on 10k intervals.

So much for the "cleanliness" argument.


Wow, what motor and oil?


1996 Audi A4 Quattro. 2.8 V-6 12-valve. Syntec 5W-50.