oil changes

[jacobl]

This 70 year old guy at a graduation I was at was telling me "you don't need to change the oil, you just need to change your oil filter.

I think he is full of crap!

He says he has a chevy full size van that has over 170k miles and he has only changed the oil filter.

 

[techieman33]

he's also probably putting new oil in new oil with the filter change, to replace what he lost in the filter. But I wouldn't suggest doing anything like that. Some people do run pretty extended intervals, but have their oil test periodically to make sure it's still good.

 

[Xpl0rer]

i read this post and it gave me quite a chuckle, sounds like my grandpa lol. you are exactly right in thinking he's full of crap. sounds rediculous to me but to each his own i guess. do yourself a favor and change your oil every 3-5k miles as long especially if you wheel.
~troy

 

[tortoisethunder]

Doubt it. Once oil is at "operating temp" there is no turning back. It loses viscousity over use, heat, and time. Oil is cheap, and so it a filter, plus it makes you look under your vehicle and sometimes one can "see" many potential problems. Why do people try to "extend" their oil life? It is too risky for me. Every 3K to 5K or 6 months which ever come first!

 

[jacobl]

I change my oil every 5000 miles with mobil 1 synthetic 5w30.

 

[aldive]

Why do people try to "extend" their oil life? It is too risky for me.

Because some people don't like to toss perfectly good oil and don't like to waste money.

Ever do a UOA on that oil you toss?

 

[Xpl0rer]

reguardless 170k miles without changing your oil is stupid, i might even go as far to say he's full of ****, anyway this thread is not for me or by me. As for UoA testing i've never tested my oil i just change it when the lil sticker says so, besides they wouldnt lie would they?!?! lol but anyhow back to the UoA i did a quick google and found that they have a free test kit you can order, just thought i'd share with anyone who'd like to try testing their oil.

http://www.polarislabs1.com/test-kit.htm

~troy~

p.s. you have to send your oil in to get it tested? al u live in a science lab?
not to be cruel or anything you just speak of this uoa test as if it were a pair of pliers or something.

 

[JohnnyO]

Back in the day when engine clearances were a lot looser he could get away with that. By now his engine is probably burning enough oil that he adds enough to keep it reasonably fresh. Old-school....
I use www.blackstone-labs.com for UOA's, costs $22.50. Plain Mobil 1 5w-30 was fine in my old 4.0 SOHC Ranger but Mobil 1 5w-30 Truck & SUV in my Sport Trac turned in an absolutely awful UOA as far as wear metals goes....iron, chromium, and aluminum were through the roof. Motorcraft was okay, so far it's done best with Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30, which btw is cheaper than Mobil 1.

 

[tortoisethunder]

Because some people don't like to toss perfectly good oil and don't like to waste money.

Ever do a UOA on that oil you toss?

Waste oil? I recycle, and for less than $50 you can change your own with a premium filter and Mobil 1 full synthetic muli-weight, cheaper if you use just good oil and a decent filter. I do not have access to a lab, and am not running a race car. Just a 4.0 V6. Thanks for the attack, I was just trying to help a fellow Explorer owner.

 

[aldive]

I do not have access to a lab, and am not running a race car. Just a 4.0 V6. Thanks for the attack, I was just trying to help a fellow Explorer owner.

Anyone has access to a lab; you mail in the sample. I use Dead Link Removed.

You need not run a race car to use oil analysis.

My comments were not intended to attack; just to point out that the old school thinking of the 3-5k OCI is a thing of the past.

 

[Xpl0rer]

Al this oil analysis you speak of is it meant to test 1 time a year? At every oil change interval? i honestly didnt know that people actually sent a sample of the oil away to be tested.. i'm just in a habbit of every 3-5k miles get the oil changed. I guess thats just how i was taught, my stepdad has a 93' dakota with 367k (we've put every mile on it) he's always changed his oil right on time, he'd have a heart attack if it were to go past 5k miles. To this day he's yet to put a dime into the motor, tranny, or rear end, other than just routine maitinance. call it sheer luck call it what you want its a good idea to keep fresh fluids to maintain a healthier longer lasting motor.

~troy~

 

[aldive]

Al this oil analysis you speak of is it meant to test 1 time a year? At every oil change interval?

It can be used whenever you want. When I started extended interval OCIs ( 25k-50k miles ), I had a sample analysed ever 5k miles to be sure I was safe.

I honestly didnt know that people actually sent a sample of the oil away to be tested..

Yes. a lot of folks test their oil. Its the ONLY WAY to know whats going on with the oil.

i'm just in a habbit of every 3-5k miles get the oil changed. I guess thats just how i was taught,

Many people are/were. Many thought the same about horses when the car came out.

The technology is available; take advantage of it.

 

[tortoisethunder]

Anyone has access to a lab; you mail in the sample. I use Dead Link Removed.

You need not run a race car to use oil analysis.

My comments were not intended to attack; just to point out that the old school thinking of the 3-5k OCI is a thing of the past.

It sounded like a put down through electronic typed words. Anyway I just might take your advice on sending oil to be tested, not for oil life, but for engine analysis. Had anyone you know of put alot of miles on a engine under warranty, had a failure, and the manufacture not warranty because of lack of fresh oil? Can you keep your analysis for warranty information/consideration? Just asking?