Is It a Good Idea to....

[parimento1]

I have a 97 Avalon with the 1MZ-FE a know sludger and I do not want to have to change the oil for the remainder of the winter. Is it safe to run something like Pennzoil Platinum for like 8k miles in this engine or am I pushing my luck?

 

[J. A. Rizzo]

You should be just fine with PP for 8k miles. What is the recommended OCI in the manual for normal and severe service?

 

[parimento1]

3k mile for severe 7500 for normsl, which is known to cause sludge.

 

[sangyup81]

Change your PCV valve and you should be able to make it through the winter on normal. PP is fine but if an upgrade would give you peace of mind, go with PU, EDGE, or Mobil 1 Extended Performance. If you don't mind the money, try RP, RL, or Amsoil.

 

[ChiTDI]

If you change oil& filter, PCV, right after Thanksgiving, won't the mileage/months put you through the NY winter and allow you to change on a warm March day? It's what I try to do. Same car.

 

[jorton]

Would it be easier to at the half way point change the oil and keep using the old filter until the next o/c?

 

[mjoekingz28]

Good idea but you still have to get under the car.

 

[901Memphis]

I would not be going longer than double the severe service interval with a quality synthetic, so about 6000 miles with PP should keep you sludge free.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
I would not be going longer than double the severe service interval with a quality synthetic, so about 6000 miles with PP should keep you sludge free.


I agree. Why tempt fate in a known sludger?

 

[sangyup81]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
I would not be going longer than double the severe service interval with a quality synthetic, so about 6000 miles with PP should keep you sludge free.


I agree. Why tempt fate in a known sludger?

Because we at BITOG believe we've figured out why it sludges.....