I was wondering if any of you drain your synthetics the same way most would drain the conventionals? How many of you go by a 3mo or 3k oci? How many of you put 3k or 4k on yor synthetic and dump it? THIS IS NOT TO START AN ARGUMENT ABOUT WHY PEOPLE SHOULDN'T DO THIS; rather, to simply get an idea as to why some of you prefer to maintain your oci's in this manner using synthetics. I have spoke with several people who live in my area that change their synthetic oil every 3k and money is obviously not a factor for them. These people love their cars more than their spouses, but as I said, not to argue whether this is right or wrong, but who else does this? Let me end by stating that I am likely one who will dump synthetic after 4 months. The argument about oil color has been beaten to death, and do tend to agree with most that color is not a factor, but the oil is dark enough after 3 months of short trips, and going an additional month at that point is about all I can stand.
HOW MANY OF YOU DRAIN SYNTHETIC ON SHORT OCI'S?
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The longest that I have EVER left an oil in my crankcase, synthetic or not, is about 7K miles. I used to be an avid 3 month/3000 mile changer, regardless of what oil I used. But the oil basestocks have improved vastly, synthetics have come a ways, and additive packages are more complex and can do their job for longer than before.
I'll probably listen to my OLM on our Honda Pilot from now on, but that doesn't mean that I'll let it go to 0% before I change. I'll do it anywhere from 40% down to 20%, depending on the driving that that particular oil fill has had done to it.
I'll probably listen to my OLM on our Honda Pilot from now on, but that doesn't mean that I'll let it go to 0% before I change. I'll do it anywhere from 40% down to 20%, depending on the driving that that particular oil fill has had done to it.
I have drained my Amsoil at 3,800-4,500 miles only because it was in the car for a year and I was using UOAs to verify that I fixed an air leak. I have fixed it, wear wasn't as bad, and I will now begin changing the oil every two years, maybe with a filter change in between.
I drain My German Castrol every 6,000 mi. "2001 Old's Alero 2.4L"
I like to do my OCI at 5K. I use synthetics, mostly PP and GC. But, I am in the process of switching over to Valvoline Maxlife, and will probably stick with the 5K OCI depending on UOA after a couple of OCI's.
My first change with M1 was at 1200miles then to 6000k then now i change every 4-5k still with M1 synthetic.
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PP 5w30 06 Jeep Liberty 5k oci
PP 10w30 03 Dodge Neon 7k oci (will be switching to Maxlife Synthetic in 15-20k miles)
Amsoil MCF 10w40 07 Suzuki GSXR600 3k oci (I really don't need an oil so long in the teeth here. My main concern is shearing and clutch particles... Alas it only holds three quarts so cost is not an issue.
PP 10w30 03 Dodge Neon 7k oci (will be switching to Maxlife Synthetic in 15-20k miles)
Amsoil MCF 10w40 07 Suzuki GSXR600 3k oci (I really don't need an oil so long in the teeth here. My main concern is shearing and clutch particles... Alas it only holds three quarts so cost is not an issue.
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I have sports cars that get fuel dilution and run in high humidity. They get no more than 2 - 3,000 miles a year on each so I change the fluids based on the yearly cycle, not miles. The oils generally look pretty clean coming out.
aehaas
aehaas
Every 5k or 6 months on RP & PP due to warantee on my '06 Avalon.
Every 3-4K, never longer than 6 months, using Mobil 1, on both of my cars.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
6K normally.
when I was using 5w30 Amsoil (pao) in my civic it was every 15k miles, or one year.
With my new crv, I'm going to use Amsoil XLM for *winter* (December to March), and gtx for the rest of the seasons. So the XLM will stay in for max 5-7.5k miles.
With my new crv, I'm going to use Amsoil XLM for *winter* (December to March), and gtx for the rest of the seasons. So the XLM will stay in for max 5-7.5k miles.
I began to use Mobil 1 when it first came out back in the 70's. They said it was good for one year or 25,000 miles, and I took them at their word. I usually did a one year OCI, which was normally 18,000 to 20,000 miles. I kept close watch on the oil level, and usually had to add 2 or 3 quarts in a year. Mobil dropped the 25,000 mile claim when people did not check their oil level, burned up their engines, and then complained. One magazine, either Popular Science or Popular Mechanics, stated in an article on synthetic oil that it was as good with 10,000 miles on it as regular oil was brand new. Must have been true, because my oil usually had 8,000 to 10,000 miles to go when it had 10,000 miles on it.
I never was one to keep a cars forever. Usually, 4 to 5 years, and I wanted something new. However, I kept a 1986 Ford Thunderbird for 140,000 miles, and it was as quiet at 140,000 miles as it was brandnew.
I look at these people today who are wasting M1 by changing at 3 to 5,000 miles, when any ordinary dino will get you to 200,000 to 300,000 miles if changed at these intervals, with amazement. When I retired back in 2001, I went down to being a 6 to 7000 miles a year driver. I then quit using synthetic and began to use dino, changed twice a year. Just couldn't stand the idea of using synthetic and changing it at only 7,000 miles.
Twenty five years of yearly oil changes at 18 to 20,000 miles convinced me of synthetic's ability. I am not convinced of the ability of some of the new formulations of Mobil 1, however, due to the formula change. I believe that, if I were still using synthetic, I would be using the Mobil 1 High Mileage oil, which is available in 10W30 and 10W40 weights, and was NOT, the last time I checked, "SM" rated.
I never was one to keep a cars forever. Usually, 4 to 5 years, and I wanted something new. However, I kept a 1986 Ford Thunderbird for 140,000 miles, and it was as quiet at 140,000 miles as it was brandnew.
I look at these people today who are wasting M1 by changing at 3 to 5,000 miles, when any ordinary dino will get you to 200,000 to 300,000 miles if changed at these intervals, with amazement. When I retired back in 2001, I went down to being a 6 to 7000 miles a year driver. I then quit using synthetic and began to use dino, changed twice a year. Just couldn't stand the idea of using synthetic and changing it at only 7,000 miles.
Twenty five years of yearly oil changes at 18 to 20,000 miles convinced me of synthetic's ability. I am not convinced of the ability of some of the new formulations of Mobil 1, however, due to the formula change. I believe that, if I were still using synthetic, I would be using the Mobil 1 High Mileage oil, which is available in 10W30 and 10W40 weights, and was NOT, the last time I checked, "SM" rated.
I buy synthetic when it is on sale as cheap as regular-priced dino. I drain it from my Expedition every 2500-3000 miles, or every 3-4 months. I have two small children, so I change the oil so often because I need the garage (quiet) time. It takes me a L O N G time to change the oil in the Expedition.
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I agree that "short" doesn't necessarily mean mileage. Either time weighted or mileage weighted works for the term "extended" drains.
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