Synthtic Oil Change Intervals
04-16-2007, 01:05 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by INDYMAC,Apr 16 2007, 06:25 AM
Since you're probably a Steelers fan, either way you decide to go will work fine!
04-16-2007, 02:50 PM
#15
If your trip tend to be short when you drive your car, I suggest that you change your oil twice a year. That's because relatively short trips (eg; less than a half hour long and/or no highway driving) will not give your oil a chance to vaporize the moisture in the oil. Keep in mind that when you start a cold engine, water condenses on the cylinders (water is one of the products of combustion) and mixes with the oil. If the engine doesn't get hot enough long enough, the water will remain in the oil in the form of an emulsion.
Water is bad for several reasons. It mixes with sulfur (from gasoline, also mixes in with the oil over time) to form a dilute sulfuric acid. If this emulsion happens to be on your rings or in your bearings, it will cause "corrosive wear". It's not a catastrophic event, just a gradual pitting-like wear on the surfaces, and the resulting rough surface is prone to more wear. The sulfuric acid also significantly reduces the oil's TBN, which if depleted will cause your engine to sludge.
If you get some good spirited driving in before parking it each time you take it out, there's definitely no problem with going a year. I've been changing my oil around every 15 months & about 12,000 miles, and my last UOA showed that my oil was still in great shape. However, my setup is a lot different - I have a prelube pump and a bypass filter on my car.
Water is bad for several reasons. It mixes with sulfur (from gasoline, also mixes in with the oil over time) to form a dilute sulfuric acid. If this emulsion happens to be on your rings or in your bearings, it will cause "corrosive wear". It's not a catastrophic event, just a gradual pitting-like wear on the surfaces, and the resulting rough surface is prone to more wear. The sulfuric acid also significantly reduces the oil's TBN, which if depleted will cause your engine to sludge.
If you get some good spirited driving in before parking it each time you take it out, there's definitely no problem with going a year. I've been changing my oil around every 15 months & about 12,000 miles, and my last UOA showed that my oil was still in great shape. However, my setup is a lot different - I have a prelube pump and a bypass filter on my car.
04-17-2007, 04:04 AM
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I was browsing at the oils last night and found that Mobil 1 has an oil rated for 15000 miles or one year, which ever comes first. Its about 20% more than regular Mobil 1. I think this si the ticket to my peace of mind.
04-17-2007, 04:32 AM
#17
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If you have your heart set on Mobil 1, try the 0W40. I think it might have the best attributes for your situation. When you drive your car, make sure you take it for at least a 20-30 minute spin to get the oil up to operating temps. A short trip for more Iron City during halftime of a Steelers game won't get it up to temp good enough, even if you VTEC the whole way!
04-17-2007, 09:57 AM
#20
Amsoil 10W30 full synthetic in your location. I just switched after a recommendation of another member of the board. I'm using 5W30, but I'm in FL. Amsoil claims a useful life of 35,000 miles before your oil needs to be changed. I'm driving a lot, and I'll change every 5,000 miles.