I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
6 month change interval?
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I'm doing 12 mnth oil changes now on my fit, with MC semi-syn 5W20. roughly 70% hiway (used it for travelling between N.Cali, Oregon and Wa). I only do about 6000kms/yr these days.
Am I afraid of sludge? Nope, for I know (and comfortable) the fact that I'm running my engine hot enough to keep the moisture and fuel dilution issues at bay.
Also: I'm using the 4 Oz AutoRx regimen on this car since day-1.
Q.
Am I afraid of sludge? Nope, for I know (and comfortable) the fact that I'm running my engine hot enough to keep the moisture and fuel dilution issues at bay.
Also: I'm using the 4 Oz AutoRx regimen on this car since day-1.
Q.
Originally Posted By: Dually
I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
If your doing over 80% of your driving on the High way, yes you could do that.
Any more city driving I would not recommend it.
I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
If your doing over 80% of your driving on the High way, yes you could do that.
Any more city driving I would not recommend it.
I'm also doing a 12 month OCI on my Mazda6, using Amsoil, and have no worries about sludge. I just make sure it hits the open road once in a while as to avoid fuel dillution.
It's been just 6 months and only about 2000 miles on my wifes 01 Lexus RX-300(3.0L sludge monster). Mostly city driving(lots of short trips) and Im using 2qts PP with 3qts PYB both 5W30. Should I change it out now?
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
It's been just 6 months and only about 2000 miles on my wifes 01 Lexus RX-300(3.0L sludge monster). Mostly city driving(lots of short trips) and Im using 2qts PP with 3qts PYB both 5W30. Should I change it out now?
I would, especially since the winter is just beginning.
Frank D
It's been just 6 months and only about 2000 miles on my wifes 01 Lexus RX-300(3.0L sludge monster). Mostly city driving(lots of short trips) and Im using 2qts PP with 3qts PYB both 5W30. Should I change it out now?
I would, especially since the winter is just beginning.
Frank D
Dually: Been on one year OCIs for, well, years now with a '00 Accord using Castrol and a Ford diesel pickup using Rotella-T. This interval was based on a nearly perfect driving cycle (like yours) and periodic UOAs. Six months/6K is a cakewalk in your driving situation, IMO. Mileages are 75K max on the Accord (usually only makes about 6500) and 6K (usually makes near that). I'm stretching the Accord out to 18 months this time to reach a full 7.5K and doing a UOA. Will do a TAN test as well as TBN to see how the GTX/Syntec mix held up.
Char Baby: Short trips are more problematic IMO, especially if your car has a known undesirable characteristic. Still, you could follow a logical path and verify that you have a problem, or not. I guess you've researched your engine so you know more specifics than I. UOA, observation (look inside the oil fill or other accessible area) will tell the tale. In the absence of any verifiable problems, you might be able to stretch out to a year. If considering it, take a UOA sample now and if OK, again at oil change time.
Ignorance is not bliss in this case, so if you're not going to do some detailed checking, you are best off changing. In reality, the oil change will cost less in the short run than all the checking (you'll need at least 2 UOAs at $22+ each). It really only make economic sense if you plan to keep the car long term so you can save the cost of several oil changes in the life of the car, but doing so knowing you aren't harming the car.
Char Baby: Short trips are more problematic IMO, especially if your car has a known undesirable characteristic. Still, you could follow a logical path and verify that you have a problem, or not. I guess you've researched your engine so you know more specifics than I. UOA, observation (look inside the oil fill or other accessible area) will tell the tale. In the absence of any verifiable problems, you might be able to stretch out to a year. If considering it, take a UOA sample now and if OK, again at oil change time.
Ignorance is not bliss in this case, so if you're not going to do some detailed checking, you are best off changing. In reality, the oil change will cost less in the short run than all the checking (you'll need at least 2 UOAs at $22+ each). It really only make economic sense if you plan to keep the car long term so you can save the cost of several oil changes in the life of the car, but doing so knowing you aren't harming the car.
JimA & demar,
I've never had any issues with this engine and I don't plan on having any. Im changing the oil/filter. I've always used good oil so Im comfortable with the internals. Lately, the cars in my household see 2000-3000 miles OCI's in about 6 mo. And yes, winter is here! Change them I will do!
I've never had any issues with this engine and I don't plan on having any. Im changing the oil/filter. I've always used good oil so Im comfortable with the internals. Lately, the cars in my household see 2000-3000 miles OCI's in about 6 mo. And yes, winter is here! Change them I will do!
I think 6 months ocis are ideal for most people.
Based on UOA's here 6000 miles on Pennzoil YB is probably ok.
But, if you want to be conservative and have peace of mind, spend a little extra money for Pennzoil Platinum synthetic and change spring and fall. You will be running an excellent proven synthetic at a very conservative OCI.
But, if you want to be conservative and have peace of mind, spend a little extra money for Pennzoil Platinum synthetic and change spring and fall. You will be running an excellent proven synthetic at a very conservative OCI.
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Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I think 6 months ocis are ideal for most people.
Works for most. Somewhere above 10k you reach a justification point for more expensive fluids and filters. Below it, outside of some severity in service, the lower cost offerings work well.
I think 6 months ocis are ideal for most people.
Works for most. Somewhere above 10k you reach a justification point for more expensive fluids and filters. Below it, outside of some severity in service, the lower cost offerings work well.
Originally Posted By: Dually
I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
Add some LC20...that will get you over the edge.
I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
Add some LC20...that will get you over the edge.
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I think 6 months ocis are ideal for most people.
Works for most. Somewhere above 10k you reach a justification point for more expensive fluids and filters. Below it, outside of some severity in service, the lower cost offerings work well.
Well said!
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
I think 6 months ocis are ideal for most people.
Works for most. Somewhere above 10k you reach a justification point for more expensive fluids and filters. Below it, outside of some severity in service, the lower cost offerings work well.
Well said!
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
JimA & demar,
I've never had any issues with this engine and I don't plan on having any. Im changing the oil/filter. I've always used good oil so Im comfortable with the internals. Lately, the cars in my household see 2000-3000 miles OCI's in about 6 mo. And yes, winter is here! Change them I will do!
Char - I have that engine too. Keep an eye on that PCV system as well as the OCI interval. Great engines when they're cared for.
JimA & demar,
I've never had any issues with this engine and I don't plan on having any. Im changing the oil/filter. I've always used good oil so Im comfortable with the internals. Lately, the cars in my household see 2000-3000 miles OCI's in about 6 mo. And yes, winter is here! Change them I will do!
Char - I have that engine too. Keep an eye on that PCV system as well as the OCI interval. Great engines when they're cared for.
Originally Posted By: Dually
I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
If you do go to 6k, you could have the TBN checked when you have the oil analyzed. It will add some fact to whether you want to do this continually or not. I extend in spring/summer/autumn and shorten the interval in winter. Seems to work OK.
I use Pennzoil conventional 5W-20 right now and I change it every 5,000 miles.Could I go that extra miles to 6,000 and change it every 6 months? I do mostly highway.My fear is the starting of sludge.Thanks Joe
If you do go to 6k, you could have the TBN checked when you have the oil analyzed. It will add some fact to whether you want to do this continually or not. I extend in spring/summer/autumn and shorten the interval in winter. Seems to work OK.
Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
JimA & demar,
I've never had any issues with this engine and I don't plan on having any. Im changing the oil/filter. I've always used good oil so Im comfortable with the internals. Lately, the cars in my household see 2000-3000 miles OCI's in about 6 mo. And yes, winter is here! Change them I will do!
Char - I have that engine too. Keep an eye on that PCV system as well as the OCI interval. Great engines when they're cared for.
Yeah! Everything is great with this engine! The PCV system is in great working condition. I take care of all of my vehicles and run them into their teens. 6mo/2000mi seems like a waste but, I have lots of oil(M-1/7500, PP/PYB, Havoline/Chevron, Valvoline/MaxLife and GTX). Looking for another deal on some PP or any Syn.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
JimA & demar,
I've never had any issues with this engine and I don't plan on having any. Im changing the oil/filter. I've always used good oil so Im comfortable with the internals. Lately, the cars in my household see 2000-3000 miles OCI's in about 6 mo. And yes, winter is here! Change them I will do!
Char - I have that engine too. Keep an eye on that PCV system as well as the OCI interval. Great engines when they're cared for.
Yeah! Everything is great with this engine! The PCV system is in great working condition. I take care of all of my vehicles and run them into their teens. 6mo/2000mi seems like a waste but, I have lots of oil(M-1/7500, PP/PYB, Havoline/Chevron, Valvoline/MaxLife and GTX). Looking for another deal on some PP or any Syn.
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