Extended OCI

[justinf89]

In my van, I've been running the cheapest oil I can get basically and just changing it every 3k miles. I'd like to know if I went with mobil 1 or something could I do drain intervals like 10k? I know it is all based on climate, driving style, etc. I read that Mobil 1 Extended Performance is guaranteed for 15k miles but I will not put more than 10k in a year on this van, probably a little less. The van is driven in the city mostly, minimum trip 5 mi, some traffic lights, crazies, etc. I drive the van VERY easy, worse than a great grandma to get most mpg.

I would like an oil that I can get locally, I just picked Mobil 1 for an example, I'm open to anything. But I can get Mobil 1 5qts for $21 where I'm paying like $12 for valvoline. Obviously the Mobil 1 is a better deal if I can extend the drain interval. Thanks guys.

Edit: I don't want to do an oil analysis or anything, I would rather just change it. This van isn't worth all that at 173k miles.

 

[Hazmat]

You can definitely do 6K miles and still be money ahead, not to mention the time you would spend changing the oil.

 

[Cup of Joe]

M1 rollback at walmart ended on 8 Sept, the price will now be back to $23.50 I believe.

I work in P-town, yes you can do 10k if you choose. I have a F-150 that may take 1 year to get 3-5k miles and my work car racks up the mileage. You could work your way up to extended intervals. I typically will do 2 oil changes on the f150 if I am using a conventional oil or 1 year with synthetic and up to 15k miles on my work car.

 

[justinf89]

Is there maybe a cheaper oil than Mobil 1 that can do 6k oci? Do you think I can go longer on the valvoline? Thanks for the help.

 

[Cup of Joe]

Originally Posted By: justinf89
Do you think I can go longer on the valvoline?


Yes. As long as the van is used regularly and in good mechanical condition you should be able to go 4-5k without much trouble. You can learn to read oil spot tests like "one drop". You can simply use a business card rather then pay for special paper.

http://www.magna-guard.com/OneDrop.html

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/348/check-car-oil

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: justinf89
I don't want to do an oil analysis or anything, I would rather just change it. This van isn't worth all that at 173k miles.

In order to determine whether 10K is a doable OCI, I think you're best to get an UOA done. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable without some objective validation. If the van isn't worth that, why not just keep doing the cheap oil / 3K OCI?

 

[sangyup81]

10k isn't for just any car. How about using the cheapest synthetic you can get your hands on for 7.5k miles?

 

[lewdwig]

My opinion is that you can run any brand name dino for 6k miles.

 

[jstutz]

Mobil 1 Extended Performance is not guaranteed for 15k miles. It is guaranteed up to 15K, if your vehicle calls for that interval.

 

[lexus114]

yep,I think most of the uoa`s show it`s pretty depleted by 10k or so.

 

[ottotheclown]

100% agree plus Va Beach is not I95 in rush hour right around Richmond at 3:30 PM.If that would be the case maybe 6k is the most you could go even on group three syn.

quote=Hazmat]You can definitely do 6K miles and still be money ahead, not to mention the time you would spend changing the oil. [/quote]

 

[dnewton3]

If I understand you correctly, you'd like to get to one OCI per year at less than 10k miles, and not have to do analysis.

You might consider just one UOA, to assure yourself there is no air or coolant leaks. If you're certain that you're engine is mechanically sound, then the risk is yours to take.

I would suggest perhaps SuperTech synthetic. It has shown good used oil analysis and is reasonably priced and easily attainable. I'd pair that up with either a Wix/NG filter or P1 or Bosch for the 10k miles.

 

[FZ1]

I'd change the M1 2x per year,Fall and Spring. I prefer the additional density of the EP vs. M1,particulary in a 173k car.

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
I would suggest perhaps SuperTech synthetic. It has shown good used oil analysis and is reasonably priced and easily attainable.

Forget about the SuperTech. Spend an extra couple dollars and get a 5-quart jug of Quaker State Ultimate Durability (a.k.a. Q Horsepower) full synthetic. There's a $10 rebate through Sunday available at http://www.quakerstate.com/#/diy-rebate that'll make it cheaper than SuperTech anyway.

Start with a 7,500 mile and get an UOA done at the end to determine whether you can run it longer in your particular vehicle. I know you said you don't want to do an UOA, but I still think it's the only way to really determine whether you can run an oil that long or not.

 

[justinf89]

Thanks for all the help guys, So it sounds like 7500 mi is doable for synthetic oil, It really depends on the van's condition. I was really just curious how much the oil is capable of. Looks like I have a decision to make.