So I've gone 190K on the 3,000 OCI

[AnarchyX]

I have an '02 GMC Envoy that to this day *knock on wood* drives as good as the day I bought her with only 35 miles and has never once left me stranded on the road.

I follow the maintenance schedule to a "T", and usually change the transmission, plugs, and fuel/air filters before their time.

As for the oil change I've been brain washed to following the interval every 3,000 miles because I want my vehicle to last as long as possible but also I know and accept that the oils today are capable of doing their job way better than even when I bought my vehicle.

So I was wondering if I went and followed the Oil Life Monitor that GM put on my vehicle, will I get another 10+ years out of my engine, especially since the oil will go from being changed every 3k to about every 8k.

Oh and I've only used dino oil because she burns about half a quart every 1,000 miles so I figured why use the better stuff if it's going to be burned away anyway.

Mostly city stop-and-go driving in Houston, for those who want to know the conditions she's driving in.

Basically will the engine notice the difference and change the way it operates or will it continue to run as smooth as ever and I get to save some major bucks along the way.

Sorry for the long read, but thanks in advance.

 

[cchase]

Save some money and follow the OLM. Your engine won't notice the difference.

 

[Tros]

I believe modern conventional oil does well if you follow your OLM; with that said, if you are not completely comfortable, change at 6,000 miles. You will be saving money, and well within the performance capability of all conventional motor oils.

 

[cptbarkey]

i read the subject completely wrong. was i giddy to possibly see an engine that ran 190k with 1 oil change?

 

[Hokiefyd]

I'd use 5k miles for the OCI. It's easy to remember (do it on a 5k mile interval, like 195k, 200k, 205k, etc) and you can easily stretch your OCI to that without worry.

 

[MetalSlug]

I would recomment you do CONTINUE doing what ever you been doing for the last 190k something miles. if you some how change the " way " and something happent to the engine, you will blame the " new way " fault. So continue doing the old way you been doing, at that miles, engine is not only thing you worried about, power train ( transmission/rear diff ), and at that miles, you cant never tell how long until engine fail or transmission fail, it can fail any time, and any where and no matter how care you take it. Like I say just do the same thing you been doing for year and keep on driving until .....

 

[IndyIan]

I would stretch the OCI a little to 4-5k intervals since you have long term goals with the motor, if you are using known quality oil(like out of a bottle).
If you are Jiffy-lubing with whatever comes out of their dino-oil hose, I'd stick to what you are doing or I guess you can ask for bottles? Back when I Jiffy-lubed, I saw the odd guy get bottles put in, instead of the mystery oil, don't know if they charged more for it or not?
Anyways, very impressive run you've got going with stop and go traffic. What do you do for the transmission?

 

[TomYoung]

While I commend your aggressive maintenance schedule, and appreciate this high-mileage story, I think that your approach to oil changes is all wrong, and could even become a problem for you.

This high mileage engine is consuming some oil. You assume that the consumned oil is being "burned." I would ask if that oil consumption has been the same over time, or if it may be tied to engine wear.

You are accomplishing nothing with 3k intervals. You should move to the OLM or at least to a 5k interval. You are throwing away oil that has plenty of ability to protect, even in stop and go driving.

I would suggest moving to a synthetic and pushing your oci's up to 7,500 (gradually). Consider an recommended viscosity Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge or Rotella. They are all readily available. If you want to rock out,go with Royal Purple, Amsoil or orger premium brand. I like PYB and GTX if you can't see going Sun.

You will get better protection and while there are no guarantees, this will not be the thing that takes your car off the road.

Check back in at 500K!

 

[AnarchyX]

Transmission gets fluid and filter replaced about every 45k.

The only time I had any problem with it was when the cooler lines got their leak (fixing that this Saturday) and the fluid level got over a quart low. I took it to the dealer and they topped it off and she's good as new and I'm keeping her that way.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I would stretch the OCI a little to 4-5k intervals since you have long term goals with the motor, if you are using known quality oil(like out of a bottle).
If you are Jiffy-lubing with whatever comes out of their dino-oil hose, I'd stick to what you are doing or I guess you can ask for bottles? Back when I Jiffy-lubed, I saw the odd guy get bottles put in, instead of the mystery oil, don't know if they charged more for it or not?
Anyways, very impressive run you've got going with stop and go traffic. What do you do for the transmission?



ALL oil is bulk before bottled. You do realise if quick lube shops kept their conventional oil in qt bottles, they would b wasting an insane amount of plastic which they would have to pay someone to recycle OR EPA will definitely have something to say about that. Thus raising our costs for oil changes. Bulk oil as long as its name brand is every bit as good as your so called bottled oil.
At least try to get the facts right before you go about advising someone on their life long investment.

Problems with bulk oil change places arise from human error or laziness. It's usually stuff like over/under tightening of ur drain plug, filter no tightened enough or over/under filling of the sump.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I'd use 5k miles for the OCI. It's easy to remember (do it on a 5k mile interval, like 195k, 200k, 205k, etc) and you can easily stretch your OCI to that without worry.


+1

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: MetalSlug
I would recomment you do CONTINUE doing what ever you been doing for the last 190k something miles. if you some how change the " way " and something happent to the engine, you will blame the " new way " fault. So continue doing the old way you been doing, at that miles, engine is not only thing you worried about, power train ( transmission/rear diff ), and at that miles, you cant never tell how long until engine fail or transmission fail, it can fail any time, and any where and no matter how care you take it. Like I say just do the same thing you been doing for year and keep on driving until .....


+1...200k is not the time to start extending OCI's.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I'd use 5k miles for the OCI. It's easy to remember (do it on a 5k mile interval, like 195k, 200k, 205k, etc) and you can easily stretch your OCI to that without worry.


+1

+2.....and IMO, using a synthetic would be better for for you driving style

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Save some money and follow the OLM. Your engine won't notice the difference.
Originally Posted By: Tros
I believe modern conventional oil does well if you follow your OLM; with that said, if you are not completely comfortable, change at 6,000 miles. You will be saving money, and well within the performance capability of all conventional motor oils.


x2.

Look where 3k oil changes got you... your engine is burning oil and is on it's way to epic failure!

I'm just kidding. I'm with everyone else who recommended you extend the OCI's a bit with conventional oil. You will NOT have lube related issues with your engine due to the SLIGHTLY longer intervals. @ that mileage, IMO, the engine is the least of your problems as everything else will decide to call it quits way before the engine does.

If you're interested in maintaining the car as a whole and keep it running for many years to come, concentrate on all the little things that will go bad soon like various suspension bushings and other drivetrain components with the money you'll save from oil changes

With a good, name brand dino oil, you can easily go 5-6k OCIs and the block won't even notice a thing (assuming that its currently clean while looking through the oil filler hole or under the valve covers).


Originally Posted By: MetalSlug
I would recomment you do CONTINUE doing what ever you been doing for the last 190k something miles. if you some how change the " way " and something happent to the engine, you will blame the " new way " fault. So continue doing the old way you been doing, at that miles, engine is not only thing you worried about, power train ( transmission/rear diff ), and at that miles, you cant never tell how long until engine fail or transmission fail, it can fail any time, and any where and no matter how care you take it. Like I say just do the same thing you been doing for year and keep on driving until .....


Again i must point out that the OP's engine will not suffer from oil lubrication related problems if he were to extend the OCIs. Look at the factory recommended intervals - 8k miles and i'm going to assume that its with conventional oil.

Now 8k might seem like a lot but 3k intervals that were followed all these years are VERY EXCESSIVE, even considering SEVERE service.

5k mile OCIs would be a safe, sure bet at this point.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: bourne
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I would stretch the OCI a little to 4-5k intervals since you have long term goals with the motor, if you are using known quality oil(like out of a bottle).
If you are Jiffy-lubing with whatever comes out of their dino-oil hose, I'd stick to what you are doing or I guess you can ask for bottles? Back when I Jiffy-lubed, I saw the odd guy get bottles put in, instead of the mystery oil, don't know if they charged more for it or not?
Anyways, very impressive run you've got going with stop and go traffic. What do you do for the transmission?



ALL oil is bulk before bottled. You do realise if quick lube shops kept their conventional oil in qt bottles, they would b wasting an insane amount of plastic which they would have to pay someone to recycle OR EPA will definitely have something to say about that. Thus raising our costs for oil changes. Bulk oil as long as its name brand is every bit as good as your so called bottled oil.
At least try to get the facts right before you go about advising someone on their life long investment.

Problems with bulk oil change places arise from human error or laziness. It's usually stuff like over/under tightening of ur drain plug, filter no tightened enough or over/under filling of the sump.


Good points, what do they do about additives settling out? Or even how does one know what's in the barrel?

 

[mechtech2]

As you found out, 3k changes did no harm [except to your wallet].
And as you also see, oils ARE getting better.
OLM? Maybe. I'd go 4-5 k . then your car will remain happy and you'll sleep well.

 

[jstutz]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: bourne
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I would stretch the OCI a little to 4-5k intervals since you have long term goals with the motor, if you are using known quality oil(like out of a bottle).
If you are Jiffy-lubing with whatever comes out of their dino-oil hose, I'd stick to what you are doing or I guess you can ask for bottles? Back when I Jiffy-lubed, I saw the odd guy get bottles put in, instead of the mystery oil, don't know if they charged more for it or not?
Anyways, very impressive run you've got going with stop and go traffic. What do you do for the transmission?



ALL oil is bulk before bottled. You do realise if quick lube shops kept their conventional oil in qt bottles, they would b wasting an insane amount of plastic which they would have to pay someone to recycle OR EPA will definitely have something to say about that. Thus raising our costs for oil changes. Bulk oil as long as its name brand is every bit as good as your so called bottled oil.
At least try to get the facts right before you go about advising someone on their life long investment.

Problems with bulk oil change places arise from human error or laziness. It's usually stuff like over/under tightening of ur drain plug, filter no tightened enough or over/under filling of the sump.


Good points, what do they do about additives settling out? Or even how does one know what's in the barrel?


1) Probably anyone that would buy bulk oil would have it long enough to worry about additive settling. A dealership or walmart would go thru 55 gal drums pretty fast

2)Most likely there would be a label. Or do you mean how do you know the dealership or whatever is hosing you?

 

[toneydoc]

Man, I would not change a thing. Except the oil at 3k intervals. You have gotten good service. Oil is cheap compared to repair bills. Especially if you do it yourself and get the oils when on sale. Bet you have one good clean engine. Good for you and keep up the good maint schedule. I will buy the truck from you if you want to sell her. Make me a good offer. Thanks.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: bourne
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I would stretch the OCI a little to 4-5k intervals since you have long term goals with the motor, if you are using known quality oil(like out of a bottle).
If you are Jiffy-lubing with whatever comes out of their dino-oil hose, I'd stick to what you are doing or I guess you can ask for bottles? Back when I Jiffy-lubed, I saw the odd guy get bottles put in, instead of the mystery oil, don't know if they charged more for it or not?
Anyways, very impressive run you've got going with stop and go traffic. What do you do for the transmission?



ALL oil is bulk before bottled. You do realise if quick lube shops kept their conventional oil in qt bottles, they would b wasting an insane amount of plastic which they would have to pay someone to recycle OR EPA will definitely have something to say about that. Thus raising our costs for oil changes. Bulk oil as long as its name brand is every bit as good as your so called bottled oil.
At least try to get the facts right before you go about advising someone on their life long investment.

Problems with bulk oil change places arise from human error or laziness. It's usually stuff like over/under tightening of ur drain plug, filter no tightened enough or over/under filling of the sump.


Good points, what do they do about additives settling out? Or even how does one know what's in the barrel?


You don't know, that's the whole point and that's why you DIY so you KNOW exactly whats in the bottle.

 

[fdcg27]

I've gone 204K on one car with 5-6K OCIs.
There is a member here who's gone well over 200K on at least one engine using M1 on 10K OCIs, and he has done so for a number of years.
You could certainly go to 5-6K OCIs, particulaly since if you have to add a quart every 2K, you'd be refreshing the add pack every 2K.
You could add a quart at 2K, one at 4K, and then change when you're a quart down at 6K.
Your engine won't know the difference.