How can I tell if my synthetic oil needs changing?

[shortylickens]

As per sticky thread in this forum:
- Year 2003
- Make Chevy
- Model S-10 (ZR2)
- Engine (if there are different engines available) 4.3 liter
- Trim Level - I dunno. Its not an airplane.
- Modifications (if any) - Cheap aftermarket lift kit. Chrome front bumper. BF Goodrich All Terrain Tires. Rhino-Lining equivelant on the undercarriage. DeeZee toolbox.
- Mileage - 38,988.

About 9,000 miles ago I put in a K&N filter and some Mobile One Synthetic Oil. In theory its supposed to go up to 12,000 miles before needing a change.
Are there any indications to tell me that its ready to be changed now? So far as I know nothing is currently wrong, but unlike most red-blooded american males I am not tuned into my vehicle with ESP. Have averaged about 4,000 miles a year for the past 2.5 years.

For the first 1000 miles I ran it up in the mountains of Oregon. Then life caught up with me and I had to stop having fun. The last 8000 miles has been very short trips to work (less than 2 miles at a time) in stop'n'go traffic.
Am currently living in Virginia and the only real difference is less rain and more snow. Still only using it for basic transport to school, no mountain climbing. I did NOT drive it across the county, I used a transport service.

We're done here. The OP's question has been answered and the thread is devolving into an off-track flame-fest.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Garage Moderator

 

[Vette73]

Only way is to have a oil analysis done.


I do 10k or 1 year on my cars with Syn.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Yeah, only true way to know is an analysis. Color means nothing, it's 'dirty' almost right away.

 

[DeviousTrap]

^ What those two said.

But, if you've driven 4,000 miles a year in the last 2.5 years, does that mean you last changed your oil almost 3 years ago? If so, forget the damn analysis and just change it.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
^ What those two said.

But, if you've driven 4,000 miles a year in the last 2.5 years, does that mean you last changed your oil almost 3 years ago? If so, forget the damn analysis and just change it.

lol

 

[Jabbernyx]

If it was just pure stop-n-go driving for an extended period of time, better to just change it. That oil will have been contaminated.

 

[mooseracing]

After 3 months it is contaminated, this was proven by many test that the old 3 months still stands as a time to change it.

Synthetic still has a build up of acids, carbon, and breakdown of additives.

And the only way to tell is like stated, Oil Anal Test.

 

[StageLeft]

Oil Anal Test

I had one of those. Extremely unpleasant. Not recommended.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Oil Anal Test

I had one of those. Extremely unpleasant. Not recommended.

Ouch! Better than a Tranny Anal Test though, those are the WORST.

 

[BW86]

aren't you supposed to be changing your filter regardless if your oil can go 12k miles?

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: BW86
aren't you supposed to be changing your filter regardless if your oil can go 12k miles?

If I change my filter thats gonna require about 3/4 of a quart of new oil.

But I will agree with everyone here and just change it. Probably this thursday or friday since I am off school.

 

[dud]

OP,

I can't believe I've ever heard of anyone waiting so long to change their oil, even using synthetic. I will be changing the oil in my SC400 after only one (1) year and 3,500 miles. You have to consider time, mileage, how you drove ...

I spend $30 a year to protect my engine with a new filter and oil. How much are you going to be spending if your engine goes out. Spend the money and change you oil every year ... at a minimum, no matter how little you drive it.

 

[thecritic]

The oil needs to be replaced ANNUALLY or at the desired mileage, whichever comes first.

If your vehicle has the GM Oil Life Monitor, then you should go by that or one-year, whichever comes first, in the future.

There's always a one-year time requirement as the oil filter materials may breakdown (glue inside), and usually if you don't rack up the desired number of miles in a year, your driving is probably too severe for extended service intervals.

 

[aleckz]

I change my mobil 1 syn every 6 months / 4k miles. I usually hit 4k miles within 3 months or 4 months so it usually goes by that. It seems a little anal, but it's just the schedule I tend to.

But I believe oil whether or not it be dino or syn, should be changed at least annually or if you reach the max mileage stated. But I wouldn't trust myself putting on 12k miles on syn, my driving consists of too much stop go.

 

[Indyboy2]

It all boils down to filtration.Syn oil should run 15k with ease with one filter change.You are throwing your money away otherwise.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: aleckz
I change my mobil 1 syn every 6 months / 4k miles. I usually hit 4k miles within 3 months or 4 months so it usually goes by that. It seems a little anal, but it's just the schedule I tend to.

But I believe oil whether or not it be dino or syn, should be changed at least annually or if you reach the max mileage stated. But I wouldn't trust myself putting on 12k miles on syn, my driving consists of too much stop go.

If you change Syn oil every 4k you are wasting your money and not doing any better for your car then a regular non-syn oil. Non-syn oil can do 5k now easy.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Indyboy2
It all boils down to filtration.Syn oil should run 15k with ease with one filter change.You are throwing your money away otherwise.

Terrible terrible terrible advice. Living in a cold climate and putting a lot of stop and go miles is about as extreme a condition you can create without throwing dirt in the engine or racing.

OP, your driving habits are considered extreme duty. You need to change your oil more often than you're doing it, period.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Even with synthetic I still change at least every 4-5k.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Indyboy2
It all boils down to filtration.Syn oil should run 15k with ease with one filter change.You are throwing your money away otherwise.

Terrible terrible terrible advice. Living in a cold climate and putting a lot of stop and go miles is about as extreme a condition you can create without throwing dirt in the engine or racing.

OP, your driving habits are considered extreme duty. You need to change your oil more often than you're doing it, period.

Only 1 filter change? Agreed, that is TERRIBLE advice. Only an oil analysis can determine the proper oil change and filter change interval.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Even with synthetic I still change at least every 4-5k.

And as said beofre you are wasting your money. Regular oil can do 5k easy in most cars/trucks.

The places where syn oil really does well is turbo cars, racing cars, and extrended drains.

 

[Jeff7181]

Synthetic oil isn't miracle stuff. Cold weather, stop and go traffic, and short trips are hard on an engine. You're dealing with cold metal that has contracted and widened clearances... extended periods of idling, which increases blowby because cylinder pressure is low at idle... water in the oil from condensation as the engine warms up. If you don't drive long enough to warm up the oil above 200 degrees and boil the condensation out of the water, you get sludge. Synthetic oil deals with all this stuff better than natural, but you really can't expect it to hold up to this sort of abuse for years.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i change my synthetic Mobil 1 every 5-6k miles. I'm not wasting my money because with regular oil, i'd change it every 2-3k. Plus, it makes me feel better that i'm running the synthetic oil within its safety specifications.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Even with synthetic I still change at least every 4-5k.

And as said beofre you are wasting your money. Regular oil can do 5k easy in most cars/trucks.

The places where syn oil really does well is turbo cars, racing cars, and extrended drains.

Only costs a couple bucks more for better protection. I can think of a lot worse things to waste money on than protecting the motor of my car

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Even with synthetic I still change at least every 4-5k.

And as said beofre you are wasting your money. Regular oil can do 5k easy in most cars/trucks.

The places where syn oil really does well is turbo cars, racing cars, and extrended drains.

Only costs a couple bucks more for better protection. I can think of a lot worse things to waste money on than protecting the motor of my car

Facepalm. You are not getting extra protection. Your car will see no diff from regular oil then a syn.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Even with synthetic I still change at least every 4-5k.

And as said beofre you are wasting your money. Regular oil can do 5k easy in most cars/trucks.

The places where syn oil really does well is turbo cars, racing cars, and extrended drains.

Only costs a couple bucks more for better protection. I can think of a lot worse things to waste money on than protecting the motor of my car

Facepalm. You are not getting extra protection. Your car will see no diff from regular oil then a syn.

Sure it will. Synthetics can be made to maintain the proper viscosity at higher temperatures than natural oil while also maintaining proper viscosity at lower temperatures. I dare you to find a 0w50 natural oil. Synthetics also have different additive packages that allow greater intervals between changes compared to a natural oil, all else being equal. I guarantee a synthetic oil that's been used for 5000 miles is working better and protecting the engine better than a natural oil that's been used for 5000 miles.