Inexpensive + regular oci vs expensive + long oci?

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
U

uart

Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
739
Location
Australia
I know this is just about a FAQ, but has anyone ever really figured out the best trade-off between low cost oil and frequent changes versus expensive oil and long drain intervals.

Say you were comparing a 5k miles oci on a decent conventional oil at price "x" versus 10k miles oci on a top range synthetic at twice the price (2x).

Any opinions?
 
'best' is relative, and it would also depend heavily on the condition of your vehicle's engine. There's no best way to do it, only what's best for you.
 
Originally Posted By: uart
I know this is just about a FAQ, but has anyone ever really figured out the best trade-off between low cost oil and frequent changes versus expensive oil and long drain intervals.

Say you were comparing a 5k miles oci on a decent conventional oil at price "x" versus 10k miles oci on a top range synthetic at twice the price (2x).

Any opinions?


If you did this, you would save the time you spent doing the 5K run? ummmmmm?
 
I think a lot would depend on how tough the engine and operating conditions are on the oil. Grinding to work every day in Chicago traffic has got to be a lot worse than being retired and living in the hills of North Carolina. Since I keep my cars a while I don't mind paying the extra cost of better oil and filters, and changing it myself is a good cost saving offset.
 
Even if a cheap oil (maybe formula shell) was good for 5000 and a great oil (Pennzoil Ultra) was good for 10,000 the huge variable is time and what that's worth to you. Personally I don't mind 20 minutes in the garage on a nice day, but for a lot of people an oil change is a terrible chore.

Still, at retail here most synthetics are less than double the cost of a conventional. I doubt most of them can go double the distance, though.
 
Originally Posted By: VNTS
500,000 mile on the orignal serpentine belt? me thinks the guy has a little bit too much windage to be believable.


Originally Posted By: 95busa
If you want to see how irrelevant oil choice and mileage are, read this.
http://www.millionmilevan.com/html/maintenance.html



Ford sure did think he was legit. He had his van serviced the same place every time. He documented everything.
 
Well, you save on the price of an oil filter AND the time and trouble of changing oil/filter.

I do 7500 on synthetic oil. 10,000 miles might be pushing it, I would definitely do a used oil analysis before going this long, unless using an oil guaranteed to go this long. Even then I don't like to push it that long.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Well, you save on the price of an oil filter AND the time and trouble of changing oil/filter.

I do 7500 on synthetic oil. 10,000 miles might be pushing it, I would definitely do a used oil analysis before going this long, unless using an oil guaranteed to go this long. Even then I don't like to push it that long.



On the other hand, it`s nice to get under there every 5k and see what is going on. I guess it`s simply a preference matter. no wrong or right system here. Just what you feel comfortable with.
 
Last edited:
Well, if looking at Pennzoil or other non boutique synthetics and you go 7500-10,000 miles it may be cost effective as well as the non hassle of getting under the car etc. Now, if you use Amsoil, Redline etc, unless you go 15,000-20,000 miles IMO never cost effective. You have other reasons to use these and probably cost effectiveness is not one of them. Low cost oils today can easily go 5,000 mile OCIs so unless a synthetic on sale tough to be cost effective.

How much do you love changing oil and take a look underneath is a huge factor with a lot of people.
 
I think in general terms most folks might extend their OCI by 50% when using a good fully synthetic oil and unless you pick a top of the range fully synthetic, they are about double the price of a supermarket conventional oil.

In my case for a 1.9 TD a reasonable quality conventional would cost (All prices in Euros) about 25 and a good fully synthetic about 50 for 5 ltrs. A real Volvo filter is about 15 Euros and I get charged 30 for the oil & filter job by my local garage, as it takes about half an hour due to the engine bottom cover.

Service cost using conventional at 10K km: 70
Service cost using fully synthetic at 15K km: 95
So in reality there is very little difference, but the fact I don't have to visit the garage so often and the fully synthetic will probably do a slightly better job, means I would vote in favor of using the more expensive oil.

Obviously if you use a real expensive fully synthetic the slight advantage of a 10 Euro saving will disapear, Castrol Edge is about 80 for 5 ltrs, so it would then cost more not less and I would not extend the OCI any further as the extra performance (If there is any) would not justify it.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Gabe
Originally Posted By: 95busa
If you want to see how irrelevant oil choice and mileage are, read this.
http://www.millionmilevan.com/html/maintenance.html



He states: "It used a quart of oil or more every tank of gas. I usually waited for the oil to turn black before changing it."

Is this the new BITOG benchmark??


Sorry, how many quarts of oil does your van with 1,200,000 miles use?
 
Amsoil always shows their dino vs synthetic oil comparison and according to their chart, you have to go 25,000 miles on their synthetic oil in order to come out on top vs using dino and changing every 5k miles (or do they use 3k in that comparison?).

I tried stretching their "Signature Series" oil changes out as long as possible and found that even with 70% highway miles, the oil is pretty much done after about 15k miles.

It is honestly cheaper to use their OE line and changing every 7,500 miles while using the oil filter for 2x intervals like Honda suggests I do with my 07 Civic.

After trying the extended intervals and expensive oil, I went back to my old ways of using regular of the shelf synthetic oil (Mobil 1, etc, etc) and just call it a day.
 
In the right climate without harsh winters and most of the miles put on in a short period of time I can see this being possible.

My previous Mondeo tdci is on the original serpentine belt from 2005, if you push on it it makes a creaking noise so is well past due. Has well over 200k on it.

I am sure it would last a.fair few more miles but is being changed soon aswell as the tensioner. Tensioner is pricey and on that engine is a weakspot and we are still surprised it is still hanging in there. Job will cost £180 for parts alone.
 
Thanks for the info everyone. I knew that this question was a bit like "how long is a piece of string". So many factors that could influence the result, different engines, different oils and different service conditions.

So for the sake of a definite example, say you had something basic like a Toyota Corolla under relatively easy service conditions. What do you think would result in better overall protection, Castrol GTX with 2 OCIs at 6k miles compared with say Castrol Edge with 1 OCI at 12k miles?

** Assume that the long oci engine is still inspected regularly and topped off if needed.
smile.gif
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: 95busa
No difference whatsoever. Synthetics only help you in severe conditions or when specced (GM 4718M).


I don't know very much about GM 4718M, it must be a stringent test.

What about some others like
- ACEA A3/B4
- BMW LL-01
- MGB 229.3, 229.5
- VW 502, 505

Do any of those imply that the oil can probably go further?
 
Last edited:
No matter what kind of oil you use, it's still going to break down and get dirty. It's best to change your oil at the recommended service intervals.

Personally, I use any oil that meets the specifications for my vehicle (API certified, MS-6395, 5w30). I change it every 3,000 miles.
Originally Posted By: uart
I know this is just about a FAQ, but has anyone ever really figured out the best trade-off between low cost oil and frequent changes versus expensive oil and long drain intervals.

Say you were comparing a 5k miles oci on a decent conventional oil at price "x" versus 10k miles oci on a top range synthetic at twice the price (2x).

Any opinions?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
Why not Valvoline Restore and Protect for average Joe OCIs?
12 13 14
Replies
263
Views
18K
Legs4Arms
T
Valvoline Restore and Protect in Skyactiv Engine
Replies
14
Views
2K
Plumb Bob
S
Valvoline Restore and Protect, HPL, for an old 3.5 Ecoboost
4 5 6
Replies
107
Views
10K
AdmiralYoda
M
Factory mix vs fresh oil (2026 Hyundai 2.5L NA context)
Replies
9
Views
513
Chief2025
M
Two Subarus - common oil? HPL, intervals?
2 3
Replies
42
Views
3K
kschachn
Back
Top Bottom