What oil to use, when to change? - Page 2

sgtsandman · #16 11-19-2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fifthranger

Regular dino oil should be fine. I feel that it is all marketing hype, and the only oil I'd use in the future is the "high-mileage" if and when I run into problems.

It's not entirely hype. I can't say as a fact that my engine wear is any less because I use it but I can say for a fact that the interior of the engine is cleaner because I use it.

I used to use conventional oil in my old Honda and later switched to whatever synthetic was on sale. Before I did that, I had the valve cover off to do a valve adjustment and there was a lot of varnish and yellow residue everywhere. The next time I did a valve adjustment was after the switch and the interior looked brand new. No residue and no varnish.

Now, I'm not telling you you have to switch. Conventional oil will do the job just fine and will give allow you many years of faithful service from your vehicles. The above is just what I've found while working on my vehicles.

Here is a pic from my engine during a valve adjustment after using synthetic. If I can dig one up from before, I'll post it up as well. It think the engine had 120,000 miles on it at the time.

Dino oil

OhioMike · #17 11-19-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

My '98 manual on states the 5,000 miles, no time interval but it may be in the severe service section like fithranger said. Since I usually don't max out the mileage on my vehicles because of the number of them I have, I typically change the oil every six months instead of going by the mileage. Overkill on the truck since the manual doesn't say to? Maybe

Oil does sit and therefore can go "bad". The old adage years ago was 3,000 miles or 3 months depending on how the vehicle is used. I have a hard time believing even what the manual says because the manufacturer has an ulterior motive to sell more vehicles. The quick-lubes want money, so they say every 3000 miles, whereas the manufacturers say 5000 - 7500 miles. I feel that somewhere in the middle is probably sufficient, and nobody I know says they wish they would have changed their oil less. Also, most oil is the same just like the gas we put in our vehicles. The key is to change oil frequently but that is subjective, and the only way to get comfort would be to perform an oil analysis. For the $30 that costs, you might as well just change the oil.

Quote:

It's not entirely hype. I can't say as a fact that my engine wear is any less because I use it but I can say for a fact that the interior of the engine is cleaner because I use it

How does one know when that point has been reached? My wife and I both travel mostly highway and 15 - 20 mile commutes. Her 07' Ford Edge and my 08' Ranger both have approx. 70,000 miles on the engine. Both run like a top and have gotten oil changes nearly every 3,000 miles until about 15,000 miles ago when I decided to go with 4500 to 5000 mile changes because it seems like every two months we were due for a change. Today's oils should clearly allow us to change oil less frequently, and my point about dino oils was that there is no huge difference in claim. Pennzoil, Motorcraft, or Valvoline 5w - 20 is 5w - 20. If there were a difference in oil, then people that go to the Lube Joints would experience engine failure just as those that do not change their oil. Same thing with the filters used by the quick lubes, and I think that our local based Lube - Stop uses 'Purolator' made filters, so they are just as good as the ones made for Ford and branded 'Motorcraft'. The same goes with Valvoline -- their filters are good quality, and never once in hundred's of thousands of miles(any various vehicles)I have owned/leased have I ever had one fail. I think like I said before and others feel that "as long as good quality oil and filter are used regularly", then the driver should experience no problems. Of course engines degrade over time, but many factors go into that -- quality of original engine, use and abuse of vehicle, frequent or lack-thereof of oil changes, etc., and when was the last time someone said that he/she changes their oil every 3000 miles, yet the engine failed?

sgtsandman · #18 11-19-2012, 04:12 PM

For the engine oil change interval, I do believe that oil, even conventional oil has gotten better over time. The 3,000 mile change theory has been around since the 60's and 70's. Will it hurt anything to change the oil that often? Most certainly not.

I might have missed you point on the dino oil, if so I apologize. I also tried to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with dino oil and it will do the job just fine. My point is just for what I've experienced. A good oil (not Dollar General off brand stuff) and a good filter will keep an engine running well for years to come.

OhioMike · #19 11-19-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

I might have missed you point on the dino oil, if so I apologize. I also tried to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with dino oil and it will do the job just fine. My point is just for what I've experienced. A good oil (not Dollar General off brand stuff) and a good filter will keep an engine running well for years to come

No, your fine, and I was only trying to explain to the OP about something that has been discussed here to death -- what filter and oil do you use and how often do you change. There are way too many variables and even today's engines are different than the ones in the 60' -90's. Also, asking members on a forum isn't a scientific study. If anyone is interested, then an oil analysis would answer some questions pertaining specifically to "that particular engine". Even my 08' with 68,000 miles can't be automatically compared to another 08' with 68,000 miles because my driving, my location's weather, and countless other variables exist. That is why there is the subjective matter to begin with and even manufacturer's cannot agree. I think it is kinda funny that drivers spend 20,000 on a vehicle and criticize others that change oil "too frequently". I'd rather waste $30 on an oil change every two months than need a new engine down the road.

dvrich · #20 11-19-2012, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtsandman

It's not entirely hype. I can't say as a fact that my engine wear is any less because I use it but I can say for a fact that the interior of the engine is cleaner because I use it.

I used to use conventional oil in my old Honda and later switched to whatever synthetic was on sale. Before I did that, I had the valve cover off to do a valve adjustment and there was a lot of varnish and yellow residue everywhere. The next time I did a valve adjustment was after the switch and the interior looked brand new. No residue and no varnish.

Now, I'm not telling you you have to switch. Conventional oil will do the job just fine and will give allow you many years of faithful service from your vehicles. The above is just what I've found while working on my vehicles.

Here is a pic from my engine during a valve adjustment after using synthetic. If I can dig one up from before, I'll post it up as well. It think the engine had 120,000 miles on it at the time.

Dino oil

Not trying to give away my age but I remember Quaker State oil gummed up many an engine in the 1970s because of being parrafin based......yes parrafin!!!!!

Your looks super clean

OhioMike · #21 11-19-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

1970s because of being parrafin based......yes parrafin!!!!! Your looks super clean

Well, that is because of the oil technology then, and besides some known issues with motors specifically Audi/VW prone to sludge, I don't know anyone that has ever lost an engine due to the oil they used. Drivers are more likely to trade-in or total his/her car, than the engine failing. That being said is why the 3000 mile oil change interval probably came about, but the technology has changed so much that it is no longer necessary, but I for one don't have any extra money for another vehicle to replace either my wife's Edge or my Ranger, so I will continue to change the oil at 5000 miles regardless.

sgtsandman · #22 11-19-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvrich

Not trying to give away my age but I remember Quaker State oil gummed up many an engine in the 1970s because of being parrafin based......yes parrafin!!!!!

Your looks super clean

Thanks. I've heard stories about Quaker State but I don't know if that holds true anymore. Having the engine look that clean on the inside does make me feel better about the extra expense of the synthetic oil but like I said before, I cant say if it is wearing any better. I haven't done an oil analysis, so other than the visual difference, I can't say the oil is any better than conventional or blended oils.

BuckB · #23 11-23-2012, 07:28 PM

When Mobile 1 first came out and we were running log skidders and Cat D-8 bulldozers with 48 quart sumps in -30 degree weather up in Maine we had to use crankcase heaters or they would not start. You needed back up generators as well or may as well go home til spring.
The Mobile guy gave us a barrel of oil to try out, he said no need for heaters. Frankly I thought he was nuts, on the other hand i figured he should know what he's talking about. I filled up a F-150 we had and left it in the cold all night, it went down to about -38 that night. My brother and I went out in the morning expecting the 150 to croak a few times and die, it didn't, it started up like it was summer time.
Now, the oil is a little more expensive, agreed, however I can tell you we never had to replace a starter on the heavy equipment or any of our vehicles. Before Mobile 1 $1,200 starters were fairly common in cold weather.
I change my oil at 8,000 mi intervals. I found it well worth the money in starters and engine miles.

56pitch · #24 12-22-2012, 07:04 AM

I use Mobil 1 15000 mile synthetic with a NAPA oil filter. I only drive it a couple times a week and in the winter I want that free flowing oil up in that engine as fast as possible.