Oil change recommendations?

[whitevette]

Hi, all !
I have learned recently the EPA has decreed the zinc content of auto motor oils must go...due to the poisoning of cat. elements ( ye ol' lead in gasoline argument, remember?). This zinc compound ( zinc di-something) is an EP (extreme pressure) additive ; without it, aftermarket cam grinders are noting scuffing and scoring of lifter/ cam lobe interfaces...they are "upset"!
Have you noticed the oil ads on TV, lately? They no longer tout "anti-friction" qualities...but have emphasized "cleaning abilities". Like...Clean engines dying early is preferable to "dirty" old-timers, yes?
There IS a way out of this dilemma...buy fleet oil. NAPA sells their own brand of fleet ( truck) oils ... cheaper than the brand-name stuff; I use their 15W40 stuff.I don't worry about the tiny "0 W 0" MPG benefits...the price ain't too bad, either. Other generic brands are out there, I'm sure.
Also, the price of GM's EOS (engine assembly lube) has tripled lately! Any connection? EOS , formerly Engine Oil Supplement ( now changed just prior to the feds cracking down on the wild claims of the oil additive folks) , is laced with this zinc-based compound. Hmmm....
I'm sure Google knows about these moves ... check it out. Spread the word? -whitevette

[craig5_12]

Amsoil does state their oils are supreme and can run for longer time periods with the proper filtration...one way to compat expenses (for a DIY'er) is to drain a quart and then add a quart (or so) every 3-5k miles along with changing the filter. This would keep the oil quality pretty consistant whilst being cheaper than a full blown oil change.
Amsoil is expensive, but lots of other companies say they can go for longer intervals too. I've got Napa 10w30 in my Accord now...but I'm going to get Amsoil for the engine and tranny next time...

[Ford Man]

Originally Posted by rjacob

I have been told the engine in my car can last to 500,000 miles. So I try to take care of it.
Any comments, concerns, or recommendations on my oil change?

My daily car is a '88 Ford Escort and currently has 479,000+ miles and never been rebuilt. It currently uses a quart of oil about every 1000-1200 miles. I have always used conventional oil and changed the oil every 3,000-4000 miles most of the time, although there have been a few times when I would be busy and it would go 5,000-8,000 (probably no more than 10 times during its lifetime) miles between changes. I'll be using conventional oil for a long time yet since I have about 20-25 cases on hand that I purchased before the price of oil went through the roof and I bought it on sale.

[johnmyster]

My Honda was generally ready for more 10w-30 conventional at about 5000 miles - based on the "color of the oil on my finger" test. It too had a factory reccomendation of 7500.

[sickpuppy318]

I always notice an EXTREAM drop in FE when its oil change time. At 160,000 it uses practically none of the Mobile 1 Synth that i put in it. I can tell its time when the engine lacks power and FE. Now about 5-6k. Four and a half new quarts plus filter and the FE goes back to 36+. Right now getting about 31!!! I'm pretty sure any wear on the engine is happening now.

[whitevette]

Originally Posted by K

Any way you cut it, changing your SYNTHETIC oil at 3k is wasteful.

And if I were doing oil analysis, I would TOTALLY try 0W20. That would ensure that its not doing major damage.

Hmmm.... Getting oil analysed for 0W20 comes AFTER you use it, yes? And if it shows damage, how do you undo what your analysis shows? It seems to me the tail is wagging the dog....

[whitevette]

Originally Posted by sickpuppy318

I always notice an EXTREAM drop in FE when its oil change time. At 160,000 it uses practically none of the Mobile 1 Synth that i put in it. I can tell its time when the engine lacks power and FE. Now about 5-6k. Four and a half new quarts plus filter and the FE goes back to 36+. Right now getting about 31!!! I'm pretty sure any wear on the engine is happening now.

It seems you are changing every 5 or 6 K miles... and your Mobil 1 costs how much? Where is your gain? I'm not with you ... I use fleet oil (NAPA) for trucks 'cause it has zinc compounds in it (EP additive)... since EPA mandated all auto oils remove the zinc compounds...because that was damaging the converter element(s). Cheap, too....

[HondaHound]

Howdy,

I'm due for an oil change pretty soon and I called my mechanic and asked his advice about what kind of oil I should use. I have a 97 Honda Civic CX automatic. He said first off that synthetic oil is much more expensive (though it will last a lot longer) and that going to 0W20 is really only for hybrids because it's so thin. He said 5w20 is really the thinnest I should go. He guessed that the manual asks for 10w30.

I'm a little disappointed that my P&G is not gaining me much more MPG so I'm looking for additional ways to boost it.

HHINLA

[Ford Man]

I've used various brands of conventional 10W40 and various brands of oil filters in my '88 Escort with oil change intervals usually at 3-4K miles and filter every other oil change. My theory on oil changes is that a few extra quarts of oil is much cheaper that an engine overhaul. There have been a few times in its lifetime that it went 5-8K between changes when I'd be busy. Last time I changed the oil I had let if go about 7500 miles on each of the 2 previous oil changes and left the filter on for both oil changes, when I changed the filter I cut it open to see what was in it and it wasn't but probably 10-15% blocked. It has 481K+ miles on it now and has never had any type of oil related engine problems. For that matter it's never had any engine problems at all. It currently uses a quart of oil about every 1000-1200 miles. I'm not using high mileage oil in it. Maybe when it hits 1,000,000 miles I'll consider it. LOL

[kanaloa]

Suggest you consider TufOil additive to your oil change. Can't post links just yet so you'll have to look it up for yourself!