Recent content by highmiler

Well, something does not add up. No filter in 284000 miles and no oil consumption? Oil changes every 1k miles or what?

Wouldn't it be great to find out how much longer an engine could last with different wear metal counts? How many additional miles would the car last with half the wear metals? Or double? If we knew that we could decide whether using dual by-pass filters and expensive oils makes sense or not.

Iron and lead are way to high, IMHO, probably due to the vacuum leak and high silicon. Having paid 300 bucks for the car I would not worry and drive it until it falls apart. I would go with a heavier oil once you have used up your "cheap" oil.

If the filter is removing the particles that cause wear in the engine I am more than happy. I am not willing to remove the filter system just to find out what the wear metals would be with the OEM filter. Ideally, someone with a Toyota Echo will post the results of an oil analysis and we will...

I drain and refill my tansmission every year. It only takes 3qts and 5 minutes anyway. Cheap insurance. The car is a 2001 Toyota Echo and uses the T-IV spec. I use Amsoil universal ATF.

ekpolk: Don't worry, I know what you meant. Labs are not perfect and a mistake by them is entirely possible. I believe, based on several previous analysis done for the same engine, that I can safely do oil changes every 15k with either Amsoil or Mobil 1. If cost is the most important factor...

TooSlick: It is overkill but to me it makes more sense than mag tires or an expensive stereo. If the car stays in the family until 400k or 500k miles and no other parts break down, it might make sense after all. If the car is sold the filter system will be transferred to the next car.

SSDude: My typical drive to work: First 2 miles at 30 Mph, next 5 miles at 50 Mph, then 25 miles at 65 Mph, the rest is stop and go, average may me 20 Mph. I am very easy on the gas, my first set of brakes lasted until 110k miles on the car. The first set of tires was done at 100k. farrarfan1...

Total miles on vehicle: 143745 Used for daily commute to work, 40 miles each way. 70% highway, 30% city. Amsoil dual filter with by-pass, BE-90 and ST8A. Full flow oil filter -Supertech- changed @ 8k miles. Analysis results by Oil Analyzers Iron: 5 Chromium: 0 Lead: 0 Copper: 2 Tin: 0...

65.7 MPG is the lifetime average on that website. Pretty close to what I mentioned.

Patman: I agree 100% with you. I believe a realistic average mileage number for the Insight is around 60MPG, IF you include all driving, year round. I have also achieved 60MPG with my automatic Toyota Echo. This is only possible on a warm weather day, trying to stay around 50 mph for a few...

farfel: Do you only drive downhill? How do you obtain 90 MPG?

T-Keith: Thanks for the info. Yes, I am aware of other brands. I have a list of about 10 different brands, Emgo and Vesrah among them. I will try several different brands and see if there is a noticeable difference in future oil analysis results. I'll make sure to post the data.

Binmonkey: I like the bike a lot too. I'm 6'4" and find the riding position a bit awkward but geeting used to it. Still searching for someone with a DL1000 willing to trade seats. I get my filters at a friends part store in Vancouver and the price is not bad, $ 6.50 for the Purolator...

I am sure there is nothing wrong with STP or Amsoil filters. Thanks for the advice. I admit that I do not worry about prices when it comes to oil (I use Amsoil on all my vehicles) but try to save some money on filters. Makes no sense, doesn't it!