Roger and others who change their own oil...

[DurocShark]

This thread has reminded me that I need to change the oil in the Fiero today...

 

[mrchan]

Roger - I'm using Amsoil. They say the Oil can take 25,000 miles with a filter change at 12,500. What do you think?

How many miles do you think I can get out of it safely? It's not that cheap, even with the dealer discount, its about $60 a case.

 

Roger - I'm using Amsoil. They say the Oil can take 25,000 miles with a filter change at 12,500. What do you think?

How many miles do you think I can get out of it safely? It's not that cheap, even with the dealer discount, its about $60 a case.

As I have stated already, I do not recommend going more than 7,500 miles between oil changes because of dilution and contamination, yes synthetics last a long, long time, they do not break down like regular motor oil, but you still have the dilution and contamination problem.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: mrchan
Roger - I'm using Amsoil. They say the Oil can take 25,000 miles with a filter change at 12,500. What do you think?

How many miles do you think I can get out of it safely? It's not that cheap, even with the dealer discount, its about $60 a case.

I think (thanks for asking!) get a cheaper oil and change it more! AFAIK Amsoil says you can do that only if you're sending your oil in for semi-regular testing, right...?

 

[LAUST]

I have to do mine at about 3K miles due to the extra carbon from my blower

 

I have to do mine at about 3K miles due to the extra carbon from my blower

Please explain this statement.

 

[notfred]

My car gets new synthetic oil probably every 1500 miles or so. I don't drive it that much, so it's basically every 3 months for me.

 

[scauffiel]

I was going to add, if you're serious about it, send in an oil sample for analysis at 3000 and see what they say. If it's okay, stretch it to 4,000 next time; 'nother sample. Then 5000, etc etc. It's going to depend a bunch on your environment and how you drive.

I run Amsoil synthetics in both my '88 Trans Am with a carb'd 383 and my '89 Turbo Trans Am with turbo'd Buick V6. I typically take the '88 to 6000 and will take a look at the oil in the '89 at the 4000 mark. Not too sure about that one because of the turbo, but we'll see. Oil, oil filters, and air filters have come a long way since the days those "3000 mile" numbers were put out.

Just my opinion,
Steve

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: Roger

I have to do mine at about 3K miles due to the extra carbon from my blower

Please explain this statement.

superchargers cause more blow-by putting more carbon and sludge into the engine. Also we like to dip down into the 11.5:1 A/F ratio, more gas = more carbon

I used to get by with it every 4000 miles, but after I added the blower I end up changing it at 3K or less and it's definantly nasty

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: mrchan
Roger - I'm using Amsoil. They say the Oil can take 25,000 miles with a filter change at 12,500. What do you think?

How many miles do you think I can get out of it safely? It's not that cheap, even with the dealer discount, its about $60 a case.

Do NOT leave the oil in your crankcase for 25,000 miles or a year unless you are doing oil analysis. Most people don't drive 25k in a year, so..

There is no way to determine how long your oil will last in your car with your driving habbits. That's how the recomended oil change intervals got started.

 

superchargers cause more blow-by putting more carbon and sludge into the engine. Also we like to dip down into the 11.5:1 A/F ratio, more gas = more carbon

I used to get by with it every 4000 miles, but after I added the blower I end up changing it at 3K or less and it's definantly nasty

I understand now, you meant hydrocarbon.

 

[draggoon01]

Originally posted by: Roger

Roger in your opinion how would you rank the following oil in terms of quality?

Castrol
Penzoil
Valvoline
Havoline

and whatever else I forgot.

TIA

Ausm

Order of quality ;

Castrol
Valvoline
Pennzoil


Havoline, Mobil (petroleum based), coastal are crap, I used to work for Mobil, the oil I pumped into my customers vehicles sucked a$$, unfortunately because I was running a Mobil repair station, I had no choice in the matter.
These oils have the absolute minimum additives required to pass the A.S.E. service requirments, that's why you can find these oils for ninety nine cents a quart.

you (or anyone else) recommend any websites to learn about cars, that have reviews and forums and stuff? analgous to anandtech for computers?

 

Unfortunately, no.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Roger


Order of quality ;

Castrol
Valvoline
Pennzoil

My dad always told me never to use Quaker State. He hates that stuff with a passion.

I use Valvoline Max Life. It seems to work ok, my 91 Festiva is about to hit 189K any day now.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If your oil is black, you have already gone too long without an oil change

Now that, I can say, is complete BS. Your oil turns black after probably 200 miles. The color of the oil is a very, very poor measure of when you should change it.

Maybe in your car.. lol

The oil in my maxima after 4k was still a golden brown. Slightly darker than when i put it in, but in no way near black.

I use Mobil 1.

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: Roger

superchargers cause more blow-by putting more carbon and sludge into the engine. Also we like to dip down into the 11.5:1 A/F ratio, more gas = more carbon

I used to get by with it every 4000 miles, but after I added the blower I end up changing it at 3K or less and it's definantly nasty

I understand now, you meant hydrocarbon.

you got it