- Thread starter John-MI
- Start date
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Consider what is really important . Nowadays it's low sulphur fuel,unleaded fuel and clean combustion due to computer controlled fuel injection. Anybody promoting 3000mile oil changes is still stuck in the 1970's.
I have to agree with the others on this one. I used to do the 3k change thing but now my new car doesn't want a change until about 10k. Part of that is probably because they specify a synthetic 'blend' (slightly more expensive) and I know that will safely increase the intervals (which brings the cost back down).
Far as I'm concerned the automakers have outsmarted themselves. Cadillac/GM has learned what 6000-8000 mile oil changes with their 3.6 engine. Every new version of it claims they've fixed "the" problem. Variable valve timing and hydraulic chain tensioners need clean oil to operate - maybe some day they'll get the tolerances to the point they can work with 6000 - 80000 mile oil changes but right now they can't. If you don't have either then then run the oil longer. A 2000 4.6 2V engine will go 8000 miles easy, but a 2010 4.6 3V with cam phasers needs clean oil and trying to save a few dollars will result in very expensive repairs. Every auto maker out there is having trouble with their "advanced" variable valve systems and/or sludge and all of them are blaming the owners for neglecting their engines even when they follow the manufacturer specs on changing the oil.
Old weldor
Member
I guess I'm still stuck in the 70S. If I lived on a paved road and never drove on a dusty gravel road I might let it go a little farther. I have some collector cars and I change the oil in them once a year. Sometimes they don't have a thousand miles on them. Probably a waste but I like to take care of my cars and tractors. Ford recommends 6000 miles in modern vehicles but I would never let it go that long when I see how dark it gets in 3000 miles.
"[P]roper" depends upon several factors including climate, driving habits, type of oil used, etc.
I drive abour 35K miles per year , mostly highway, and change oil and filter when the monitor gets down to about 50%.
Low mileage vehicles used to putter aroung town occassionally chould be changed by the calendar rather than the odometer.
Dean
I drive abour 35K miles per year , mostly highway, and change oil and filter when the monitor gets down to about 50%.
Low mileage vehicles used to putter aroung town occassionally chould be changed by the calendar rather than the odometer.
Dean
Hobo,NC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sanford, NC
Because of damage to the emission system (Catalytic Converter) the industry has been phasing out zinc and phosphorus levels = less lubricating additives that get used up sooner...
GM admits there oil life monitors are wrong when it bit them in the arse when cars were failing under warranty... It was a lubrication problem caused by recommended extended oil changes going by the oil life monitor... For the last year are so GM would reprogram the monitor to a more realistic interval "FREE"...
Folks can believe what they want to believe it does no damage by changing your oil in the 3 to 5K range depending on how you drive.. Roll the dice when damage does accrue its not reversible...
With Variable Valve Timing and GDI (Gas Direct Injection) extend those oil changes you are not gonna like it...
Conditions are what determine oil change intervals. Over the road high mileage vehicle can go many thousand miles. The car here in town that starts and stops 10 times a day and never goes over two miles in one trip would take years to get to the mileage recommended oil change. All about conditions and it will tell you that in the fine print.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
You can still purchase Shell Rotella rated with pre- 2007 diesel spec CI-4 plus ratings in 55 gallon drums.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
That is why DI gassers , LP and Natural Gas engines require a low ash oil. There is no liquid fuel to wash deposits off the intake valve. A catch can in the PCV line is the best solution .
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
According to my dealer the oil problems are from owners using the quicky lube places. Where the filter and oil is not always changed. Counterfeit oil and filters is another problem.
Some drivers make a habit of extending the vehicles recommended intervals . By just resetting the dash indication 2,3 or more times if they are short on $$$ that week.
If you were GM/Ford/Dodge/Toyota/Honda who would you blame?
If it were really bad maintenance why would GM redesign their 3.6 engine so many times? How many times is Ford going to be sued over cam phasers (and redesign them)? How many times will Dodge/Toyota/Honda issue quiet recalls for sludge and head issues? Dodge even recommends 3000 mile oil changes on the 3.7 and 4.7 engines (until 2009) and they have conventional OHC engines without variable valve timing and they still have huge issues.
If it were really bad maintenance why would GM redesign their 3.6 engine so many times? How many times is Ford going to be sued over cam phasers (and redesign them)? How many times will Dodge/Toyota/Honda issue quiet recalls for sludge and head issues? Dodge even recommends 3000 mile oil changes on the 3.7 and 4.7 engines (until 2009) and they have conventional OHC engines without variable valve timing and they still have huge issues.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
I don't trust the percentage of life left of the oil by the gauge. I have 3 GM vehicles. At 3k it's time to change oil and none have used a drop of oil. At 4k all 3 vehicles are down a half qt and the oil is very dirty. At 5k oil looks like mud and oil is down 1.5 qts. Some only hold 3.5 qts. All oils are changed at GM dealer too. So much for the percentage of life left of the oil by the gauge, be smart, check dipstick watch color of oil.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
I ran the Grand National to 296,000 miles and parked it in the shed for future restoration. Still runs great. Oil was changed every 10,000 miles. Used Amsoil or Mobile 1.
Hoenes
Member
dh, My son recently bought an 06 Buick with the 3.6 engine. One owner with 85k on it. Got to looking at previous owners maintenance records he gave us. You got it-8000 miles on all his oil changes. Then we see on line, about all the timing chain failures. Although my son changes his oil at 3k, we don't know whether we should sell it or keep it. I'm guessing a dealer will probably get 2500 to redo the roller cam assy.
jimg.allentown
Well-known Member
Just my humble opinion.......
Personally, I thing oil life monitors are just so much smoke and mirrors. There is no way that a computer can really "know" what kind of conditions the vehicle has been driven in or through. Also, it seems that the expense that would be involved in doing "real world" oil analysis to determine the REAL condition of the oil would be prohibitive. I'll stick to the old way - sensible intervals, and pull the stick and LOOK at the condition of the oil. I still think I am smarter than a computer - especially a GM computer.
Personally, I thing oil life monitors are just so much smoke and mirrors. There is no way that a computer can really "know" what kind of conditions the vehicle has been driven in or through. Also, it seems that the expense that would be involved in doing "real world" oil analysis to determine the REAL condition of the oil would be prohibitive. I'll stick to the old way - sensible intervals, and pull the stick and LOOK at the condition of the oil. I still think I am smarter than a computer - especially a GM computer.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
I let my dealer service my cars, especially when they were still under warranty. It
seemed like every oil change they had something to repair. I'm sure they didn't use
mobil 1. I'm also convinced they the non synthetic oils break down faster, then engines
begin using the oil. Oil changes are cheap compared to a new engine.
seemed like every oil change they had something to repair. I'm sure they didn't use
mobil 1. I'm also convinced they the non synthetic oils break down faster, then engines
begin using the oil. Oil changes are cheap compared to a new engine.
My thoughts on this is that the manufacturer is in the business of selling new cars and trucks. They don't care how long a vehicle doesn't last, only that the original buyer is happy and that they don't have expensive warranty repairs to make. They don't care one little bit about subsequent buyers unless the vehicle is still under factory warranty. The only way for any of us to know if the monitors work or not would be to have the oil analyzed starting about 2000 miles on a change then every 500 to 1000 miles until the report comes back saying that the oil is bad. Other than that you are taking the word of the very same people who hope the vehicle doesn't last too long. Long lasting vehicles means that folks that normally buy used get good used ones. Shorter life means the lack of used vehicles forcing more buyers into the new car market.
Rick
M-MAN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bostic, NC
The way I figure it I can afford an oil change every 3 to 4 thousand miles. Makes me and the car feel better so I don't mind the so called unnecessary expense at all.
It costs about $25 to have motor oil analyzed. You wouldn't need to do it very often - maybe once every 20K-30K to know how clean your engine is running. As an engine gets older and the rings are worn the oil gets dirtier faster so you increase the frequency. It also lets you know if you have a coolant seep and what type of metals are showing up in the oil (indicates what is wearing).
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