Changing Oil: Regular Intervals or Computer Analysis?

**Paul Sparks** · 11-02-2009, 07:25 AM

Between 5,000-7,000 on the 6.0 diesel truck (rotella) and once a year on my 02 firebird (mobil 1 ) which only has about 16,000 miles. On the wife`s mountaineer - whenever she complains enough.

Paul S

**QUIK4DR** · 11-02-2009, 07:45 AM

The company that makes my oil blends it for each and every application. They take into account your engine type, driving habits, the climate you live in and several other factors. The oil is good for at least 10,000 miles or 2 years. That means if you have a vehicle you only drive in the summer and it never sees rain. You can go 2 years between oil changes. I am not sure how far I can go into detail here without crossing some lines with forum rules but I truly believe in this product and it is really THAT good.

I run everything they make. Including, coolant, trans fluid, differential fluid, motor oil, power steering catalyst, fuel catalyst and they even have some cleaning and protection products also. It`s just like looking for the best wax/polish, I just don`t trust store bought products as much as some of the higher end products. I will be upfront here, I do not sell the product but I have become very good friends with the owner because of his commitment to his work. So if anyone wants to know more shoot me a PM.

**imported_Jokeman** · 11-02-2009, 08:37 AM

Every 3k with Mobil1

**imported_Slik560** · 11-02-2009, 09:01 AM

The old Benz uses regular oil and gets changed around the 3-4,000 mark, which is about once a year.

Our Mini Cooper has a @&*#$ computer-counter in it that I just do not trust. BMW has pegged the oil change interval on the Mini`s at 12,000 or whatever the computer says, and this just seems too long. Now that our car is 1 week out of warranty, I`m going to DIY and use Mobil 1 about every 5 to 7,000 miles. Castrol Syntech is the spec oil, but I just have a personal preference for Mobil 1.

**supercharged** · 11-02-2009, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Slik560

The old Benz uses regular oil and gets changed around the 3-4,000 mark, which is about once a year.

Our Mini Cooper has a @&*#$ computer-counter in it that I just do not trust. BMW has pegged the oil change interval on the Mini`s at 12,000 or whatever the computer says, and this just seems too long. Now that our car is 1 week out of warranty, I`m going to DIY and use Mobil 1 about every 5 to 7,000 miles. Castrol Syntech is the spec oil, but I just have a personal preference for Mobil 1.

you know you can get Castrol Edge, or Mobil 1 Extended Performance and change it every 12k...

**gmblack3** · 11-02-2009, 10:10 AM

About 4-5 years ago I had run M1 5w-30 in my 01 Z06 for 5500 miles (mostly highway) and 3 trackdays at VIR and Road Atlanta in the summer. Oil temps would hit 300 during each of the 30 mins sessions. Total sessions 14 in those 3 days.

Blackstone said next time to try 6500 miles.

If you do mostly highway miles, its very hard to break a syn oil down.

I run M1 5-30EP in my Denali 1500 truck w/a M1 filter. My OLI is setup for dyno oil and still says to change it at 10k miles. So thats when it gets changed.

I run M1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 w/ purolator canister filter in my wifes BMW and change it at 10k too.

**rockymountaindetail** · 11-02-2009, 08:06 PM

I`m with you Bill, every 3000 miles. I keep my vehicles for a while and to me it`s cheap insurance. I actually have my wife trained on this very concept. She goes to the Toyota dealer for oil changes in her Scion and they put a sticker in there for mileage figure for 5000 miles. As soon as she gets in it she takes a pen and changes the mileage on the sticker to make it a 3000K oil change. (and an she even puts an "R" every other one to remind me to rotate the tires!) Good woman!!

**imported_Luster** · 11-02-2009, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by rockymountaindetail

(and an she even puts an "R" every other one to remind me to rotate the tires!) Good woman!!

A keeper!

**imported_RaskyR1** · 11-02-2009, 09:46 PM

I go by what the manual in my Acura recommends.

**imported_mobenzowner** · 11-03-2009, 09:06 AM

I use Castrol Syntec and change every 6000. I do almost entirely interstate hwy miles and I am thinking of extending that to 8000 miles.

**Husker Z** · 11-03-2009, 09:23 AM

Amsoil 0W-30, been using it since 1996. I change my filter only at 10K and do a full oil change at 20K.

My R is the only exception to that rule, I am doing full changes at 10K with it, due to the high revving turbo, although I feel that is overkill.

As far as the on board computer, I have had 6 vehicles now with those and everyone of them has been right on my intervals. I don`t know if it is purely coincidence or not, but they almost always went off at 10K and 20K.

**QUIK4DR** · 11-03-2009, 03:52 PM

If you have a car that you really care about I would encourage everyone, no matter what oil you use, to run a couple lab tests on the oil. I see gmblack3 mentioned Blackstone. Very impressive because a lot of people just run whatever the oil manufacture says their oil will do and the consumer may get more or less mileage from the product than what is stated. There are other labs also. I have my oil guy send me a sample kit and then it just gets mailed to the lab once I fill it. The lab sends me the results and sends BND a copy that way he can make adjustments in my formulation if he sees that it is needed. For $20 to $30 it`s an inexpensive way to be for certain how long your particular vehicle can run on any given oil. Not all vehicles will get the same mileage from the same oil.

The lab test will tell you in detail how much of any given contaminate is in it or how much your protection package has broken down. It`s also a very good way to head off any issues with your engine before they get out of hand because it will track things like iron, copper, aluminum, and many more. I would recommend doing a test with synthetics at 5,000 to 6,000 miles and if all goes well follow the labs advise from there. I changed my oil and pulled a sample on my 2006 Charger at 6,700 and I will pull another sample at 10,000. After that I will most likely run it for 10,000 miles and have it checked once every 20,000 miles or so. I figure I spend quite a bit of cash on the outside of my vehicles so this is my way of taking care of the inside.

**Puckman** · 11-03-2009, 05:39 PM

My BMW 335i coupe turbo runs the oil at temps 210 - 245. Because of that I change my synthetic out every 3-4,000 miles. BMW`s ridiculous "free" maintenance as previously mentioned changes it every 15,000! I change it regularly in between the free dealer provision.

I have been wanting a lab test for some time now and I agree it is a great idea to see what your particular motor is doing. To me it`s kind of like a blood test - lots of information is available via the proper analysis. I agree with QUIK4DR`s thinking on this!

**QUIK4DR** · 11-03-2009, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by Puckman

My BMW 335i coupe turbo runs the oil at temps 210 - 245. Because of that I change my synthetic out every 3-4,000 miles.

You will NOT break down Quantum Blue oil at those temps with 3 times those miles. It may even run cooler. If you run the Quantum Blue coolant, all the better yet.