2003 Impala 3.8 Chevron Supreme 10W-30

[Calvin]

Well I finially got enough miles on her to at least try my 1st UOA...

I purchased my Impala LS in Feb 2003 with 20 miles on the car.It is now Feb 2004 and I just turned an even 3000 miles on the car when I took this sample.

The car is driven daily but in hard conditions.I live 2 miles from work and the engine is just getting up to temp when I shut it off.90 % of my driving is done in stop and go city use and rarely fully warmed up... and where I must park at at work is quite dusty.I know this is bad but it is a reality. I have done several oil changes on it.This is my first sample for a UOA.This oil had 669 miles on it.Didnt want to do one with less miles as it's still breaking in.The air cleaner is the origional one and the oil filter is a K&N as the nut on the bottom of the filter greatly eases servicing the oil filter.No make up oil was used.... There was a recall on this engine where GM replaced the fastners on the plastic intake manifold . This was done by the dealership and may have something to do with the potassium levels. I had Terry Dyson look this over and he asked that his comments be reserved and I will respect his wishes...

The sample was sent to Blackstone Labs.

AL.......... = 2
Iron........ = 5
Copper...... = 56
Lead........ = 1
Tin......... = 1
Moly........ = 57
Potassium... = 2
Boron....... = 113
Silicon..... = 12
Sodium...... = 2
Calcium..... = 1848
Magnesium... = 5
Phosphorus.. = 573
Zinc........ = 813

TBN ........ = 6.0
Flash point. = 385
Fuel........ = Antifreeze.. = 0
Water....... = 0
Insolubles.. = 0.3
SUS @210F... = 56.3

 

[Ferb]

Wow. 3000 miles a year and 2 miles each way. Do you ever take the car out and let it "breathe"?

What jumps out at me is the 0.3% insolubles for only 700 miles. Yeah, it's a year of sitting in the sump, but still. Perhaps a change in oil filter is in order? And maybe take the 'long way home' a few times a week.

ferb!

 

[Calvin]

Ya I know it's bad.I work 6 days a week and here in the Bay Area I work right next to Highway 880 and I could jump on the freeway but it would be the same...stop and go hehehe.Rush hour traffic around my area is not fun nor high speed. I would say less than 500 miles have been on the freeway.... Between working 6 days a week and being a caregiver (untill very recienty ) I have had very little time to actually go anywhere with the car.

 

[Alan]

Man this oil sheared mightily quick.Borderline 20W.

 

[Al]

So few miles. Just keep your oil analysis for later hopefully the potassium levels will not go up. That's the key.

 

[Calvin]

I was surprised at the shearing.Almost makes me want to try something a tad thicker.

When I called Schaeffers last year they told me to wait till I got two to three thousand miles on it first before useing thier product.

Think it's ok to switch now ?? or does the engine need more breakin time ?

 

[Ferb]

With this kind of driving, I would guess it's as broken in as it'll ever be. If you ever decide to do high-speed driving, keep a close eye on the oil level. It'll probably drop pretty fast.

ferb!

 

[TR3-2001SE]

This conferms my thinking that all regular dino oils shear down in about 3000 miles. Maybe the reason for the 3000 mile oil change? A good reason to use synthetics or HD Diesel oils if you go past 3000 miles for changes.

 

[satterfi]

Calvin

You need an hour meter installed. Then change your oil based on time versus miles.