Oil Changes: your .02 ?

[some_other_dave]

Originally Posted by Joenavy85

Mobil USA | Car Engine Oils | Mobil Super

$20 says that this exactly the same stuff they've been selling for years, with no new additives.

If it meets the current spec, then it has less of at least some of the stuff (e.g., ZDDP) than the older oils do. Part of one of the API standards (SL possibly?) requires lower amounts of some additives than were allowed and were frequently used a decade or more ago.

-soD

[drv2die]

one other thing in my 4.0 jeep straight six i run rotella i installed a fuel injected comp cams high performance camshaft in it and one of there tech guys said rotella has more zink in it which was better for something or the other cant remember exactly. he said i could run any brand but i would need to run a additive. my grandfathers freightliner has over 600000 miles on it all pulling log trailers around 70,000 lbs and it gets changed around every 10-15k i think. to bad they dont make a thinner viscosity, doubt my hyundai would like 15w40 very much

[Formula413]

I've started doing used oil analysis for my HCH through Blackstone Labs. A basic UOA costs $25, and a TBN test (total base number) is an extra $10. The TBN test measures how much additive is left in the oil, which is what keeps the oil from becoming too acidic. For the first test I ran the oil for 10,000 miles (Mobil One 0W20) and sent in a sample. The findings were: wear metals look good, plenty of additive left, try 12,000 next time. I just sent in that sample this morning, I should have results in a few days. I was actually going to make a thread in the hybrid forum to share the results once I get the next result.

[Joenavy85]

I'm waiting on my kit to show up right now, and will be changing the oil a few days before my roadtrip at the end of July. I decided to push the change back a few weeks to fit in with the roadtrip. Once i get back from the roadtrip I will change the oil again and send in a second sample for comparison.

[Phantom]

Saying that a Hybrid drove 10,000mi and can go 12k before changing the oil you need to consider how many of those miles the engine was actually running. I'm surprised that hybrids do not have a separate odometer reading for engine miles or engine run time to use as a factor for oil changes, not including the change oil/oil life light.

[Formula413]

That's a non issue really. Keep in mind a Civic hybrid is a series hybrid, so it is never powered solely by electricity. The only time the engine stops with the car in motion is on decel in nuetral under ~23 mph. I'd be surprised if even 50 of those 10k miles were driven with the engine off. Even on a Prius I doubt it is a significant factor.

[owlafaye]

(Maybe it's my old thinking but I still keep at 3000 miles despite the fact my service van is mostly highway miles.[/QUOTE]

My service vans used to hit the highways every day. I changed THE FILTER at 5000 and the oil & filter at 10,000...no kidding One of them has 300,000 miles on it and is still running. I gave it to a friend. It was a Dodge and they are famous for defective oil pressure sending units...the oil light has been ON for 8 years...laughter. I pulled 8000 lb. loads with a 318 cu.in. engine that had 300,000 miles on it and did so just last year...huge steel trailer FULL of firewood and once half full of concrete, I shudder to think of what THAT weighed...being in hilly country, that load to the dump was in first gear 1/3 of the time. The oil held up even though that red light was BRIGHT! laughter

Almost all cars will not be affected by 5000 mile intervals if you drive them on the highways mostly. The oils today are excellent.

I am 71 years old and I don't trust the synthetics and won't pay the price...wayyy to spendy.

[wanna bECO]

That 3000 mile change has been pounded into our systems. My wife panics when she is at that 3k mark no matter what I tell her. It's like japanese cars. We all think they are better. And at one time they were. The cars built by american companies today are every bit as good. Hell i've seen Hyundai's with 200k on them, who the hell thought that would happen 15 years ago.

I have no problem changing the oil in my car every 7500 miles. And as for filters, they used to only be changed every other change, almost any car manual from the 70's will tell ya that.

[BHarvey]

Originally Posted by Formula413

I've started doing used oil analysis for my HCH through Blackstone Labs. A basic UOA costs $25, and a TBN test (total base number) is an extra $10. The TBN test measures how much additive is left in the oil, which is what keeps the oil from becoming too acidic. For the first test I ran the oil for 10,000 miles (Mobil One 0W20) and sent in a sample. The findings were: wear metals look good, plenty of additive left, try 12,000 next time. I just sent in that sample this morning, I should have results in a few days. I was actually going to make a thread in the hybrid forum to share the results once I get the next result.

How much of a sample do you have to send?

[cleanspeed1]

Originally Posted by BHarvey

How much of a sample do you have to send?

Just a few ounces. Just grab some before all the oil drains out.