Are we wrong??

[dorkiedoode]

Originally Posted By: BuickGN
Every car I own breaks and I take very good care of them.

My friend with a 98 Mustang GT hasn't done an oil change in 80,000 miles. When it starts to get sluggish he adds three quarts to it. This happens every 4K or so. So far it's gone 130,000 miles and still going. The same guy had an 81 Subaru wagon and when the front seal on the transmission blew out he got tired of buying oil so he started using water and it lasted much, much longer than it should. He's already beating the [censored] out of his new IS350 so I'm sure that will last forever too. Not fair.

i feel sad for the IS! come to papa

 

[BigBadf350]

Originally Posted By: wannafbody
IMO all these oils meet the same specs so dump 1 quart of each in the car and drive off into the sunset-LOL


i dont think this would be a good idea to practice. it may work but is far from optimal.

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: BuickGN
Every car I own breaks and I take very good care of them.

My friend with a 98 Mustang GT hasn't done an oil change in 80,000 miles. When it starts to get sluggish he adds three quarts to it. This happens every 4K or so. So far it's gone 130,000 miles and still going. The same guy had an 81 Subaru wagon and when the front seal on the transmission blew out he got tired of buying oil so he started using water and it lasted much, much longer than it should. He's already beating the [censored] out of his new IS350 so I'm sure that will last forever too. Not fair.


That's my experience...other people pay very little attention to their vehicles, they run 200k miles. I try very hard to take care of mine, they fall apart. Then people say it's my fault for "not taking care of them."

John

 

[Audi Junkie]

Try that with a Turbo Audi or a Mercedes using the service indicator light. Driving cycle counts for more than anything.

 

[06VtecV6]

Originally Posted By: LexAtlanta
My neighbor has a 10 year old Camry with almost 180K on the odometer. He does not change his own oil....just brings it to one of the quick lube places. He could care less what brand oil they use, if it is syn or dino and he sort of sticks to the mileage recommendations they post on the windshield sticky. He has it changed when he remembers and has time.....not by mileage....it might be 3K it might be 10K. His car runs well and has no mechanical problems. He is not alone either. I think many people operate like this.

We all put out posts about using syn oil, OCI intervals, UOA numbers, what brand is best and the like.......and for what? This guy abuses his vehicle and it runs great. Are we wrong? Or just anal about our vehicles? Does what we do really have any impact on our vehicles? Or, is it a testament to auto manufactures that they build a great, long lasting product?

For me, I like to change my own oil and maintain my vehicles. I won't ever change my habits in that department. I just find it amazing that most of my neighbors don't pay hardly any attention to their vehicles and they continue to run well. I will say that mine run better

because of my maintenance schedules.

Is the modern automobile designed to run on the bare minimum of maintenance? Lets hear your thoughts............


Oh my, we are all wrong, indeed..

 

[Steve S]

If your engine doesn't require syn oil and is maintained per mfg recommended oil changes syn oil is a waste of money unless the miles per oil change are increased or you live in really cold climates or run your engine hard enough to severely elevate the oil temps "which is not driving drag race style on the street or going 80 on the freeway".

 

[XPR]

Changing synthetic oil at the same OCI has non synthetic does seem like a waste.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: XPR
Changing synthetic oil at the same OCI has non synthetic does seem like a waste.
Many people do it and think they are getting a big advantage from running syn.

 

[wannafbody]

IMO the advantage of Synthetics is the longer drain interval and potentially cleaner innards. A good filter is probably more important than the oil type.

 

[Steve S]

A good air filter is the most important.

 

[XJ1100]

I don't think we are wrong...but visiting this site shows we are obsessive about car maintenance.

I also believe that 2 different cars within the same model and year that are treated identically will survive two different lengths of time just based on assembly clearances. What I mean is that some engines get assembled with parts that fit together better than others, just by luck. (Bearings, pistons, etc...)

I had a 1989 Olds. Delta 88 w/ 3800 series 2. I bought the car with 277k miles on it from a high school teacher ($1...yes $1). This guy couldn't remember the last time the oil was changed and didn't have any record of it. He said he would get it changed wherever was convenient when he remembered to do it...usually anywhere from 6-10k miles. Fast forward 6 years later...my brother is currently driving the car with 325k miles on it. I maintained the car fairly well while I owned it and he is doing the same.

This just goes to show you that some cars/motors are very well built and don't need 3k mile oil changes to live a long life.