3 Reasons to NOT do Extended OCIs

[dnewton3]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
I prefer to OCI based on facts and proven, repeatable data.

I agree, which I why I took part in the Pennzoil UOA program and followed up with my other vehicles. I wanted to be sure my routine was good based on data for my usage pattern. When extending OCI's that is the only way to go. Get data from the vehicle in question and extend or shorten the OCI based on that. Because X amount of miles from #1 oil works for Joe Bitoger in the heartland doesn't mean it is going to work for John Doe in the concrete jungle.

Most certainly true.

I do not, in any manner, advocate greatly extended OCIs without first a growing escalation of UOAs of longer and longer trials, allowing data to drive the decisions. And UOAs, while great tools, are not foolproof. They are much more trustworthy when paired with PCs, visual and tactile observations, etc.

No one should blindly just run really long OFCIs; that's asking for trouble.
But those of us whom practice a very broad and informed maintenance program can find great benefit from them.
However, it's important to note that slightly over-running a planned OCI (say running to 7k miles when 5k miles was your plan) is not a reason to panic or trade off the vehicle. Most any decent lube and filter can easily outpace the OEM OFCI.

 

[69GTX]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Tell you what:

I'll send anyone here my 5,000 mile Mobil 2 if you promise to run it another 5,000.


LOL. I change my 0w-40 Mobil 1 in my stock Camaro with at only 1200 miles annually. I'd be happy to "donate" the oil to anyone who wants to run it further. And to think I changed it every 6 months/600 miles back in 2012-2015 before finding Bitog.

You pay for shipping and the UOAs; I'll take the "risk".

Sorry. You'll have to do better than that. I take 1 yrs worth of motor oil up to the recycling center in the fall when I bring up sticks/leaves. It costs me nothing but 5 min of my time. Ship quarts of used oil around the country? Absurd. It's available for pickup though...and you'll have to do your own filtering.

What does the data say about transverse mounted Ford 4.6L DOHC engines as in the Lincoln Continentals? Those behave differently than Crown Vics/Grand Marquis. I've taken one Conti to 230K miles with mostly highway miles on 3K quick lube oil changes. Current one is a short tripper with only 6K miles annually. Sticking with 4K miles on synthetics.

 

[Speak2Mountain]

I try to strike balance so I go for 6-7.5K on OCI's.

I have a known fuel diluter so I'm chancing anything over 8k

 

[cmhj]

Originally Posted By: KevinP
I'm a maverick. I change my oil according to the manufactures recommendations and I use, (gasp) the recommended oil.

WOOOAH

 

[fdcg27]

So, you have no technical reasons for short drains but simply like doing them?
No problems with that, so rock on.
Meanwhile, many of us run manufacturer's recommended longer intervals with no issues.
I've grown older and no longer wish to spend face time under my cars as often as I once did.

 

[rrounds]

Did anyone notice that the OP posted just once and now we have 8+ pages of replies?

ROD

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
I prefer to OCI based on facts and proven, repeatable data.

I agree, which I why I took part in the Pennzoil UOA program and followed up with my other vehicles. I wanted to be sure my routine was good based on data for my usage pattern. When extending OCI's that is the only way to go. Get data from the vehicle in question and extend or shorten the OCI based on that. Because X amount of miles from #1 oil works for Joe Bitoger in the heartland doesn't mean it is going to work for John Doe in the concrete jungle.

Most certainly true.

I do not, in any manner, advocate greatly extended OCIs without first a growing escalation of UOAs of longer and longer trials, allowing data to drive the decisions. And UOAs, while great tools, are not foolproof. They are much more trustworthy when paired with PCs, visual and tactile observations, etc.

No one should blindly just run really long OFCIs; that's asking for trouble.
But those of us whom practice a very broad and informed maintenance program can find great benefit from them.
However, it's important to note that slightly over-running a planned OCI (say running to 7k miles when 5k miles was your plan) is not a reason to panic or trade off the vehicle. Most any decent lube and filter can easily outpace the OEM OFCI.

Exactly. I hope I didn't imply you advocate greatly extending OCI's. The short version is you don't like to waste money or resources throwing away good oil, and I agree.

I was never a fan of blanket statements they can and will get you in trouble. What works for one person may or may not work for another. So rather than follow a blanket statement I'd prefer to know what works for me and why. A UOA shed light on that. I was able to safely extend my OCI about 1,000 miles, certainly not a big deal but that's about a month for the Liberty which sees the most driving. It also allows me a little safety margin if the OCI comes due during a cold or snowy weather snap. I wish I could push a longer OCI, but that would certainly cause harm to my engine.

 

[bbhero]

Very, very good post demarpaint. Not a one size fits all deal here. With GDI motors, turbo boosted motors and high output 4 cylinder motors it is definitely not a one size fits all deal. Improvements are being made and that is helping the LSPI circumstance. And the GDI motors are starting to incorporate a port injection system on the backside of the valve to help with deposits. Gives me a lot more confidence in those motors.

 

[TheIceStormof06]

Originally Posted By: rrounds
Did anyone notice that the OP posted just once and now we have 8+ pages of replies?

ROD


Good observation. I started this thread for a lighthearted fun conversation. The conversation went sideways as so many do...novices became pros...etc. so I stopped commenting.

My #1 reason is that OCIs are totally fine, heck...it's often scientific on this board...but changing your oil is fun..something I thought many would agree upon...

 

[dgunay]

10K kms (6-6.5k miles) for me with top tier synthetic. Easy to remember. Although MM usually goes down to 15% around 8k kms - 5k miles, I am sure that PFI + naturally aspirated Honda engine won't mind slightly extended OCI.

I'd not extend the OCI if I had a turbocharged (and especially GDI) engine. It is really hard to find port fuel injected -brand new- car nowadays. That's why I don't want to sell my car.

 

[das_peikko]

Originally Posted By: rrounds
Did anyone notice that the OP posted just once and now we have 8+ pages of replies?

ROD


The less involved you are with your own thread, the more posts it will accumulate. An internet phenomenon.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: bbhero
Very, very good post demarpaint. Not a one size fits all deal here. With GDI motors, turbo boosted motors and high output 4 cylinder motors it is definitely not a one size fits all deal. Improvements are being made and that is helping the LSPI circumstance. And the GDI motors are starting to incorporate a port injection system on the backside of the valve to help with deposits. Gives me a lot more confidence in those motors.


Thanks. The improvements to GDI are giving me a bit more confidence too. Hopefully when I'm ready to buy again if Jeep ends up using GDI in the 3.6L Pentastar engine they have it figured out.

 

[virginoil]

If the vehicle was not designed for extended OCI. eg small sump, no oil life monitor

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: virginoil
If the vehicle was not designed for extended OCI. eg small sump, no oil life monitor

What vehicles insist on 3K OCIs?
What vehicles are not designed for extended OCIs?

I would never buy from a manufacturer that requires 6 month OCIs.... or 5K.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: TheIceStormof06
With all the recent advancements in engine design and synthetic engine oil technology, I was trying to figure out top reasons why I don't want to go with an extended OCI

1. I actually like the satisfaction I get from changing My own oil! Why extend when this limits my therapy
2. Changing my oil, gives me a reason to tinker and get away from it all.
3. Lastly, I guess the piece of mind knowing that I'm giving her fresh blood.

But seriously...I wanted to keep it light on the forum...great wealth of knowledge here in BITOG.

Chime in with your reason.

Thats easy. The engine manufacturer has WAY more equipment and knowledge to determine OCI then anyone in here. So why not just listen to the manufacturer?
Change oil when they say and use the grade of oil that they say. If one does, chances are far, far better the engine will outlast everything else in the vehicle.

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted By: virginoil
If the vehicle was not designed for extended OCI. eg small sump, no oil life monitor

What vehicles insist on 3K OCIs?
What vehicles are not designed for extended OCIs?

I would never buy from a manufacturer that requires 6 month OCIs.... or 5K.

Do more reading on extended OCIs.

By the way who said the OCI was limited to 3k or 5k.

An extended OCI is based on extending the OEM recommended OCI for conditions of use.

 

[Garman]

My Two Fords both have 2.0L D.I. Turbo's, I like 5k oci's, a lot of short trips, a hint of fuel smell at that time. Plus I still have 47 quarts of Pennzoil Ultra 5W-30 left over from Autozone three years ago.

 

[Warlord]

The only time I’d keep it short is if I suspected some sort of issue that for some reason I didn’t fix.

 

[ChrisD46]

*( disagree : With GDI engines 5,000 miles is about as long as I want to go on an oil change interval due to fuel dilution .
Originally Posted By: madeej11
Agree with 2015_PSD. You guys that are changing your oil at 5,000mi. with synthetic are wasting money and good oil. In fact it's probably worse than what's been frowned upon for years here and that is changing at 3,000mi. with dino.So go ahead and pollute, don't you people have kids that will have to suffer the consequences of the filth we leave behind. Every little bit counts and if your kids follow your wasteful ways then you're just perpetuating the problem. Besides it's already been established that you are just advancing the wear on your engines. It's a win win situation by abstaining. Let's wake up and get the most from your oil. Don't be so selfish by satisfying your petty OCD.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
*( disagree : With GDI engines 5,000 miles is about as long as I want to go on an oil change interval due to fuel dilution.
Unless you are trending with UOAs and see a significant shift in wear patterns, there is nothing to preclude you from going past 5K on an OCI. Many of the latest generation GDI engines have less fuel dilution versus previous ones.