Valvoline still promoting the MYTH

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: jimsgmc
What about city driving where engines idle for longer periods of times at traffic sinals? Or if you are pulling heavy loads in you pickup box or pulling horse/cattle trailers? What about people in the southwest who drive in extreme heat or in extreme cold?


Like I said, these issues are exaggerated. Idling tends to warm the coolant much more than the oil, all things being equal. Fuel dilution can be a problem, and if it is, sure, change the oil more often.

As for trucks, well, again, if you are pulling huge loads in the heat, adjust OCIs as needed. A lot of the big pullers are diesels anyhow, mostly using 15w40.

The effect on the south's heat on an oil's temperature is exaggerated. I've been through that before. I've changed oil dozens of times in temperatures exceeding 110 F, with the vehicles running all day, with the A/C on. I always spill oil on my hands. I've never burned them. So, the oil in the pan is obviously well below 212 F, or I would have been howling.

Extreme cold? Well, one can use a synthetic in the extreme cold. I tend to do so, but not always. Conventional 5w30 in the winter at normal OCIs have never left me stranded, and we get as cold here in the winter as just about anywhere with roads.

 

[pavelow]

If somebody wants to change their oil "early".....let them. It's their engine, their money and their time.

 

[The Critic]

Changing oil frequently is still the best insurance against issues such as coolant leaks, fuel dilution, blow-by and deposits.

Although no one has brought this one up before, a few techs have told me that they notice most engines to have very little blow-by for the first 60,000 miles. What they mean by that is after a typical 3,000 mile oil change, the oil generally looks normal (medium brown). After about 60,000 miles, they notice much more blow-by resulting in the engine oil darkening far more quickly in comparison to when the engine was new. When the used oil is drained on an older engine, the oil appears to be far more contaminated. So, perhaps oil changes should be more frequent as engines get older.

Also, most conventional oils start out with a TBN of around 7.5. For a number of these oils, the TBN drops to about 2.0 after 5,000 miles, sometimes less. According to a knowledgeable member on this forum, if you run an oil's TBN below 2.0, you risk developing more oil deposits inside the engine. Supposedly, this is because you are allowing an oil's detergency to be depleted before changing it.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post1240718

So for a general recommendation, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles (max) for conventional oils is probably the best interval for those who want to take the absolute best car of their cars and want to keep the cars running for as long as possible. And every 5,000 miles to 6,000 miles for an over-the-counter synthetic is a safe interval.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: pavelow
If somebody wants to change their oil "early".....let them. It's their engine, their money and their time.


No one's trying to stop them. The average person, however, is deluding himself if he thinks 3,000 mi/3 mo OCIs are absolutely necessary.

 

[Mokanic]

It is a waste until you are in the market for a used car and you find out the previous owner did wasteful 3K oil changes. Some engines are ready for oil changes at 3K. Audi and Toyota comes to mind. Some engines are capable of running 10K on ANY dino oil. The Honda K-motor comes to mind. Iam sure Ashland is trying to sell more oil. That is what the do isn't it? I have one customer with a K-motor Honda that I have tried numerous times to get her to extend her OCI. Nothing doing. Fine. I need the money,she's not hurting her car,and used motor oil is like liquid gold in the recyling market.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Mokanic
It is a waste until you are in the market for a used car and you find out the previous owner did wasteful 3K oil changes.


This statement speaks volumes. If I were looking at used cars, lets say for argument two cars, same year, make, model, miles, etc. If the PO showed believable documentation that the oil was changed every 3000 miles, that would be the car I bought. Now if someone else showed me he used a premium boutique oil that was changed every 15,000 miles /1 year I'd pass. Let me add for the premium synthetic 15,000/1 year would be acceptable for severe service, SSO comes to mind here. I'm not attacking Amsoil's high quality oil, just voicing my feelings.

I had this conversation with two car buffs Saturday while at the Beach waiting for the Blue Angels Air Show. We were all in agreement.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
If I were looking at used cars, lets say for argument two cars, same year, make, model, miles, etc. If the PO showed believable documentation that the oil was changed every 3000 miles, that would be the car I bought.


Absolutely. While my old truck wasn't treated to any boutique oils by the previous owner, I suppose he did have his own idea of extended OCIs, as in replace oil and filter only when you rebuild the engine. I wish he went the other way.

 

[webfors]

4k miles covers all situations, even the bad ones. So it's logical for Ashland to use that interval.

And regarding the used car analogy, I agree 100%. If I was looking for a used car regular oil changes would be a must.

 

[Dieseldoctor]

Dont hate ASE mechanics still love them paying for the 3K mile intervals lol

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: webfors
4k miles covers all situations, even the bad ones. So it's logical for Ashland to use that interval.

And regarding the used car analogy, I agree 100%. If I was looking for a used car regular oil changes would be a must.


Thanks we could use 4K for my analogy as well, for me the same rules would apply!

 

[jimsgmc]

uote=parkplug]Who gives a [censored]? Honestly. [/quote]
ME!

 

[Vizzy]

Fact is that with todays advanced dino oil and average usage of your vehicle (not driving at 75mph in a desert at 100 mph fpr 10 hours straight, extremely short trips of less than 5 minutes each on a constant basis, ect)there is absolutely no reason to change your dino oil every 3k. None!

As long as the car is operating properly it is easy for that oil to go at least 6k up to 7500k depending on the car or around 1 year before changing.

Hey... waste your money if you want. Not only that you create more pollution disposing of the old oil and filter anyhow.

It is clear that the marketing hacks have done their job well on the American public because people STILL insist on changing their oil every 3k no matter what even the most qualified engineering experts will tell them.

 

[buster]

Agree.

 

[jimsgmc]

I didn't say that everyone should change their oil at 3000 miles. But it would be beneficial for some people to. Just as one motor oil is not suitable for all vehicles. More frequent oil changes would be suitable for certain vehicles and driving habits. The best thing is use your good judgement and check your owners manual.