Help me! First 5K OCI

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

gizzsdad

Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
681
Location
Iowa
I'm just looking for some moral support here. With all I've learned here, I'm trying to get better, and have been stretching my OCI's beyond my old comfort zone.

I have an 05 Maxima w/VQ35 and have been running gold GC, and plan on changing my oil this pm, and this will be my first 5K OCI. 1500 of these miles were one trip, so I realize I'm not breaking any earth shattering records here, but it's a big step for me.

I rarely do UOA's, as five years and 80K is about my limit for keeping a car.

Can ANYBODY relate to my angst?

Mike
blush.gif
 
I know I can. I'm getting itchy to dump mine, and I've only put around 2300 miles on it...but it's taken me a little over 4 months to do so. It'll get dumped for sure at the 6 month line....I won't be able to stand it any longer. The stash cases of Penz Platinum are calling to me.
 
From the reports on that engine, I'd say 6k would be fine with that oil but if you feel 5k is enough, change it. My friend has a 03 G35 that he drives hard and I put in PP 5w30 and a Supertech filter and told him to come back between 5 and 6k.
 
BELIEVE ME!!! I have stretched my warm fuzzy feelings on the 3K OCI to about 12K using M1 EP. But, I did do a UOA on it and it was about "that" time. You get over it after a while, just don't think about it too much. Also, don't look at the dipstick because it will visually fool you.
 
Since you only keep it for 5 years/80k miles there should be no angst on your part!!! Why spend all that money on GC for a car that wouldnt break a sweat in 80k using whatever is on sale dino at 5k intervals? I do relate to your angst about 5k oci when i first joined this site too but that was on pure dino oil. Synthetic oil, 5k should be a breeze in the sun!
 
I know it's tough! Heck, I had a hard enough time going 4,300 miles on my last oil change. I've always been a 3k guy. But I looked through the maintenance records for my car and the previous owner always changed it at 5k and it has no sludge/varnish so I figured eh what the heck, i'll give it a shot! The UOA turned out phenomenal and there was no sludge or varnish or anything like that. And this was with conventional!
smile.gif
 
Mike,

5,000 miles on a quality conventional oil would probably be fine. 5,000 miles on the über-excellent GC should be a walk in the park.
cheers.gif


-Andy
 
"Why spend all that money on GC for a car that wouldnt break a sweat in 80k using whatever is on sale dino at 5k intervals?"

Cause I've always been over anal about maintenance, especially drivetrain. I realize I've wasted $$$$ and resources over the years, and I'm trying to get better, but it's hard.

I've always used syn for the superior cold/hot safety margin, rather than extended drains. FWIW, my used cars bring top $ when I get ready to trade, because so many people have heard about my quirks.

Mike
 
I change mine out at 4 months no matter what the milage is (if I have a chance to get to it). Last OCI only made it up to 1793 miles at 4 months and 20 days; I changed it out with zero guilt.
wink.gif
 
Breath in and relax. Breath in....
I am 358 miles into my first "extended" oil change. I have been doing 3k oci's for a long time and now have finally decided to try making it to 5k.
I never do UOA's but I keep my trucks until they are rusted frames driving down the road. This current truck has 121k and I plan on keeping it until after the earth crashes into the sun.
 
Dude... do whatever makes you feel better. But really... 5k is nothing! If you are anal about it..why not just change the transmission and radiator fluid too! No...seriously, I am just like you... But believe me... your car and your oil can go 5k and you won't know the difference!

3K OCI's are outdated IMHO.
 
Quote:

Dude... do whatever makes you feel better. But really... 5k is nothing! If you are anal about it..why not just change the transmission and radiator fluid too! No...seriously, I am just like you... But believe me... your car and your oil can go 5k and you won't know the difference!

3K OCI's are outdated IMHO.

Click to expand...


Dont forget the PSF, gear oil, brake fluid, and to change the air in your tires.
3k ocis maybe outdated, but if you do them for long enough it just becomes habit (working on 5k now like the original poster).
Can any SM dino (valvoline maxlife or vanilla valvoline) oil in any engine go 5k? assuming the engine was in good operating condition.
 
Quote:

Professional counseling often helps with these kinds of issues/problems.

Click to expand...


Yeah . . . I routinely change out the oil+filter 3 times a year with no feelings of remorse what-so-ever.
grin.gif
Reminds me of that Lay's Potato Chip commercial: "Go ahead and eat all you want, we'll make more."
grin.gif
 
Last edited:
Seriously, time-based ocis have advantages and not counting miles is one of them. It helps with the OCD. Plan 2-3-4 changes a year and stick with that. Seasonal change for visc or synth/dino or whatever. Pick an oil that allows you to go the timne interval that you WANT and also consider the conditions, but that's IT! I do 3 months on my car that goes 8000 miles inthat time and 4 months on my woman's that goes 6000 in that time. I get better oil, she gets whatever. It works too for people who have oil stashes to help plan useage.

As far as trusting the oil to go that far, look at Mobil's Clean line with mileage guarantee. Any dino or blend an equal the 5000/7500 miles benchmark.

So, either pick an oil or pick a time interval and go from there. Base the decision on anticipated miles over time.
 
Quote:

Can ANYBODY relate to my angst?


Click to expand...


Nope. I've been using UOA for about 20 years to confirm the oil I use is doing its job on extended OCI. I would not even consider changing oil at a mere 5,000 miles.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
VRP Testing for the Long Haul- Cadillac 3.6
Replies
10
Views
1K
Hohn
MurkyAsparagus
OCI for 2.0L Turbo DI Chevy Blazer + Oil Recommendations
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
JTK
W
Advice on first oil change and beyond - Mazda CX-5 2.5 N/A
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Pablo
R
One Oil for Three Vehicles
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
altaylar
C
Mobil 1 ESP Cleaning Ability/ BG EPR
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
carl1963
Back
Top Bottom