I changed my oil today

[redhat]

So I changed my oil today. I previously had Mobil 1 0W-20 and a WIX 57356 filter.

I recently decided that I'd rather save my hard earned money and stop spending $25-30 on five quarts of oil or on fancy synthetics that simply aren't needed in a daily driver K24.

I stopped into my local NAPA on my way home from work and bought a five quart jug of NAPA conventional 5W-20. Not sure if they had a sale or something but it came out to $15 and some change with tax. Was going to grab a jug of Supertech, but the amount I'd save would be negated by driving to Walmart. Since NAPA oils are made by Ashland, I feel I'm in good hands.

Changed the oil today with that and a Honda A01 filter. Car runs great, smooth, same power as before, took the car for a 15 minute drive and warmed it up. After doing so, hit VTEC a few times and no problems. I plan to do a used oil analysis around 5,000 miles just to see how things look (just a sample, no dumping).

This is a great feeling, not having to spend tons on an oil change! Thanks to BITOG for the confidence in conventional.

 

[dave1251]

Your engine will still last xxx,xxxx of miles.

There will be many post's that you could recoup you investment by using synthetics but in my case I doubt I have the will go 15K miles between oil changes.

7.5-10K is long enough for me.

 

[JOD]

Just to play devil's advocate here....

Are you really saving any money if you're doing a used oil analysis at 5K? Why not just run the oil out to the maintenance minder's recommended interval--or if you really want to test the oil, send a sample out when it's at 5%.

I don't mean to be a wet blanket here, but I don't see a used oil analysis as early as 5K into the run really telling your anything useful or offering much return on your investment. In that engine with normal driving conditions, I wouldn't even consider it until you've gone twice as long (or until the MM is almost all the way down).

 

[crazyoildude]

your engine will not know the difference

 

[redhat]

I do presently run until the MM tells me so. I am normally at 50% by 5k.

I have done a few used oil analysis on M1, TGMO, MCSB at 5k and MM interval before and am curious to compare the results.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Sounds like a real sensible decision to me. I have run the Napa house brand oil myself plenty of times, it will do a fine job for a normal oil change.

I will also be using a different oil for the next changes coming up next month on my truck and my wife's car. I hope to be able to buy a couple cases of the 10W30 and 5W20 Peak conventional that will be on a BOGO deal later this week at Dollar General. If not, I will be changing from Quaker State (mine) and Mobil Super (hers) and start using the less expensive Super Tech. I may even pull the trigger and try ST High Mileage in my truck, just to see how it does.

I have been reading about this very subject the last few days and I agree 100% there is absolutely no sense in spending big bucks for name brand oil when there are less expensive oils that are just as good as the name brands.

 

[redhat]

Definitely go for it Jimmy! Peak and Supertech are both great! I will try it someday myself.

 

[Chris142]

Our shop truck now has 388K on it running Napa and Pep Boys Proline oil and cheap filter. Still runs great, Does not use any oil between its 8k+ OCI and still passes the California smog test.

 

[gregk24]

Looking forward to the UOA, Im sure it will look great. What type of driving do you do?

 

[redhat]

I do a mix but not a huge amount of stop and go. I'd probably say about 60/40 highway/city.

 

[zerosoma]

OP, the only reason I use synthetic is in the winter time when flow is more important. Otherwise it's simply a waste for me and as much as I enjoy changing oil and putting in different brands and combinations I do much better with conventional.

I always keep about 30% of my oil stock as Synthetic though for those cold weather months. For me I can't justify running synthetic to only 4k and then changing it. I change my oil too often when it's nice out as it is already.

 

[tig1]

Since money is a driving factor in which oil you use, why waste money on a used oil analysis?? In the end you will spend more on dino at 5K OCIs than a quality synthetic at 10K OCIs and have an inferior product to boot. I do 10K OCIs and never waste money on used oil analysis.

 

[redhat]

My apologies if I sound a bit brash, but...

Does anyone actually read what I post??

I said that I will run this oil out to the maintenance minder based interval which probably will be around 10k. So I'm not doing 5k OCIs.

I said that I will do a used oil analysis at 5k and at 10k/MM interval to compare how things are looking with other oils I have used as I have a trend with other oils. I did not say I will continue to do used oil analysis every OCI. I'm doing one this time to see, not every time I change my oil. I also said that my 5k used oil analysis would be a sample, not dumping the whole fill.

Sure the used oil analysis may cost some this one time, but I'm curious on how things will/are looking. Consequent times, I won't get a used oil analysis and I will have saved money.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: redhat
My apologies if I sound a bit brash, but...

Does anyone actually read what I post??

I said that I will run this oil out to the maintenance minder based interval which probably will be around 10k. So I'm not doing 5k OCIs.

I said that I will do a used oil analysis at 5k and at 10k/MM interval to compare how things are looking with other oils I have used as I have a trend with other oils. I did not say I will continue to do used oil analysis every OCI. I'm doing one this time to see, not every time I change my oil. I also said that my 5k used oil analysis would be a sample, not dumping the whole fill.

Sure the used oil analysis may cost some this one time, but I'm curious on how things will/are looking. Consequent times, I won't get a used oil analysis and I will have saved money.


That actually sounds like a solid, intelligent plan. I found your original post quite clear-I'm not sure why some couldn't understand it.

There are a lot of cases for using conventional over synthetic, and if yours proves to do well at those intervals, you'll be money ahead rather than wasting extra on a feel good synthetic that you don't need.

And yes, I've used conventional motor oil my entire life. I currently run it out to 6,000 or 7,000 miles (which equates to about 6 months), and I've never had an issue. If I wanted to take the time to do sampling, I might consider extending it further (if warranted), but the 6 month change interval works well for me.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: redhat

This is a great feeling, not having to spend tons on an oil change! Thanks to BITOG for the confidence in conventional.


I can do a synthetic oil change, including filter, for less than $25. Thats hardly "TONS" for my synthetic change, especially considering I will take it out to 10K.

That friends, is where the real bargain is.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
your engine will not know the difference



The one thing I do like about using Synthetic is the Variable valve timing really kicks in. Dont feel that on conventional.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: redhat
My apologies if I sound a bit brash, but...

Does anyone actually read what I post??

I said that I will run this oil out to the maintenance minder based interval which probably will be around 10k. So I'm not doing 5k OCIs.

I said that I will do a used oil analysis at 5k and at 10k/MM interval to compare how things are looking with other oils I have used as I have a trend with other oils. I did not say I will continue to do used oil analysis every OCI. I'm doing one this time to see, not every time I change my oil. I also said that my 5k used oil analysis would be a sample, not dumping the whole fill.

Sure the used oil analysis may cost some this one time, but I'm curious on how things will/are looking. Consequent times, I won't get a used oil analysis and I will have saved money.


I read what you wrote--and if you hadn't put in the part about saving money as a motivation for the switch, I wouldn't have responded. If you were just doing the used oil analysis for entertainment purposes, that's one thing--but I just don't seen and ROI.

A used oil analysis at 5K doesn't make any sense to me, regardless of what you have in the sump. You've said that's at the 1/2 way point of the MM. How is that going to help you determine the optimal length of oil change interval? Any oil which meets the spec will work fine up to at least the specified interval for this application. You don't need a used oil analysis to determine that, and a single used oil analysis on this oil at 5K isn't going to show any trends (even if you have other used oil analysis on other oils at similar distance). You're not far enough in the oil's life for it to really be all that meaningful.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: redhat
My apologies if I sound a bit brash, but...

Does anyone actually read what I post??

I said that I will run this oil out to the maintenance minder based interval which probably will be around 10k. So I'm not doing 5k OCIs.

I said that I will do a used oil analysis at 5k and at 10k/MM interval to compare how things are looking with other oils I have used as I have a trend with other oils. I did not say I will continue to do used oil analysis every OCI. I'm doing one this time to see, not every time I change my oil. I also said that my 5k used oil analysis would be a sample, not dumping the whole fill.

Sure the used oil analysis may cost some this one time, but I'm curious on how things will/are looking. Consequent times, I won't get a used oil analysis and I will have saved money.


10K OCIs on dino is asking for varnish and a used oil analysis will not predict that. In fact a used oil analysis isn't of much value at all except to tell the condition of the oil, such as coolant, fuel, dirt, and maybe TBN. I would certainly advise against a 10K OCI with any dino.

 

[strat81]

Stock up when synthetic is on sale, coupons are available, or rebates are offered. Although, that could apply to dino sauce too.

Either way, ~$3/qt for conventional is too much, IMO.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: tig1

10K OCIs on dino is asking for varnish and a used oil analysis will not predict that. ... I would certainly advise against a 10K OCI with any dino.


Correct. It amazes me how many people still want to hold on to the belief conventionals exactly = synthetics, especially when long OCI's are considered.