Life Expectancy of PYB

Status
Not open for further replies.
sl1driver

sl1driver

Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
93
Location
Maryland
I tried to use the handy search function but didn't find the answer to my exact question. I don't even know if there is an answer, at least a firm one. So I wanted to get some opinions from you guys. Assuming that a vehicle isn't creating any major contaminants in the oil, that the oil level is kept topped off, and lastly, assuming a 50/50 mix of city/hwy driving, how many miles would you expect a fill of PYB to last?

My Saturn SL1 (which I absolutely love!) has developed an oil consumption issue over the last few years. I guess I should consider myself lucky that it took so long to develop, seeing as how Saturns are infamous for using and/or burning oil. It currently uses 2 and 1/2 qts during a typical 7500 mile OCI, which I don't consider bad at all, but rather than paying to keep filling it with synthetic (PP) and paying for the extra makeup oil, I'm thinking of switching to PYB. Don't worry, I'm not going to take your answers as Gospel. I don't intend to drive the oil to its very last limits. I don't see myself taking it beyond 5 or 6K. That's just me. This is just curiosity more than anything else.
 
I had a Saturn as well and they'll run forever no matter what oil you use. I always thought the additional oil i added would let me extend the OCI
smile.gif
. But i always used dino, Supertech actually, and i'd change it around 5-6k. 245,000 trouble free miles when i got rid of it.
 
The additional oil added basically extends the life of the oil. 5K-6K is easy, no sweat. Continue doing your 7.5K changes in my opinion.

PYB is a good oil, I would try SuperTech High Mileage personally based on cost and performance.
 
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
The additional oil added basically extends the life of the oil. 5K-6K is easy, no sweat. Continue doing your 7.5K changes in my opinion.

PYB is a good oil, I would try SuperTech High Mileage personally based on cost and performance.


Going to a HM oil is also an option I am considering.
 
5K to 6K should be fine. I usually go out to 5k on whatever's cheap conventional, I'm extending a bit this time as I'm running synthetic bought on clearance. Hasn't given me any issues and mine's seen all types of mixtures. My consumption is quite a bit higher than yours too though.

How many miles is your SL1 up to with that consumption?
 
5k miles should do just fine on pyb. Just passed 126k on my sisters 05 Saturn using pu with 8 to 10k between oil changes.Uses one half qt. between oil changes-we are well pleased with this car to date!
 
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
How many miles is your SL1 up to with that consumption?

Sorry, I meant to include mileage in my initial post. It currently has a little over 147K ticks on to odometer. It is a great car, never had any major issues, and it's easy to do maintenance on. The oil consumption began at about 110K, which is why I said I feel lucky. Many Saturns started consuming oil almost immediately after leaving the dealer's lot. Even taking the oil usage into consideration, it has been a terrific car. I would buy another Saturn in a heartbeat if they were still being made. I may look for a used model when mine finally gives out, which I don't expect to happen anytime soon. I fully expect to get at least 300K out of it.
 
Originally Posted By: Cristobal
I reckon 7500 miles or so at the maximum, and most folks will want to change it at about 6000.

That sounds about right. I'm planning on keeping OCIs to between 5K and 6K, probably closer to the 6K side. I'm going to send out a sample to get a UOA on my current fill of PP just to be sure I don't have any contamination from the engine. Assuming it comes back clean I don't expect any problems with switching to PYB. I know it's a good oil. If it does come back with some issues I'll just change it a little more often.
 
I agree that by adding makeup quarts of oil, you can easily extend the OCI to beyond 5K-6K miles. Exactly how far? IDK!
With 2-2.5 extra qts per 7500 miles OCI, it's hard to tell. PYB is an excellent dino oil
smile.gif
 
Last edited:
Andy,

I have 2 Saturns (see Sig.) and had another. The 2000 UOA above is mine.

If you want to keep it a long time (like me):

It's a long story, but in short..... Use a quality oil with a high Flashpoint/HTHS number to help keep the coking reduced around the piston rings, especially the bottom one as it does not have oil weep holes drilled in them!!

PYB is very good.

Go to Saturnfans . com & look around the S-Series General & S-Series Tech. TONS!! of info there. Follow the S-Series Owners Checklist thread on top of the S-Series Forum for a fantastically running car.

"OldNuc" will be your friend of friends. Good luck & keep in touch.
 
I would try a HM oil if i were you. Hard to say how muchdiff it will make but its worth trying. If it helps you save a bit of oil why not, you cant go wrong trying QS defy or Pennzoil HM or any other for that matter.
 
I'm a new believer in HM oil. My 290K mile bonneville has always used a qt in 1500 miles. About 6 months ago I bought Castrol HM 10/30 and was amazed that I didn't add a quart until 2500 miles or so. I'm trying M1 HM 10/30 for the next change. If it will go 2500 or more between qts, I'll stretch the OCI to 10K.
 
Originally Posted By: sl1driver
I tried to use the handy search function but didn't find the answer to my exact question. I don't even know if there is an answer, at least a firm one. So I wanted to get some opinions from you guys. Assuming that a vehicle isn't creating any major contaminants in the oil, that the oil level is kept topped off, and lastly, assuming a 50/50 mix of city/hwy driving, how many miles would you expect a fill of PYB to last?


Ford says past 2010, that any oil that meets Ford's spec is good for 5000 miles in heavy duty cycle and 7500 miles in "normal cycle". Pretty much any conventional API SN certified oil meets this Ford spec. To confirm, download the PDF manual and look for the spec name Ford WSS BLAH-BLAH-BLAH. I don't think that Ford engines are significantly different in their oil demands from any other North American engines. If you drive 50% city/50% interstate highway, then keep using your conventional oil for (5000 + 7500)/2 miles to be safe. That's just to be conservative (e.g. you like your car and want to make love to it). In a pinch, I wouldn't mind pushing any major brand conventional (e.g. anything sold at Walmart) to 7500 miles if it meets manufacturer's specs.
 
Last edited:
Lot of good info. Years ago Blackstone flagged my UOA on 99SL2 for fuel dilution and recommended short OCI's. Now I have a newer motor and more highway miles. Guess I will need to get with the program and change my oil less.

I agree Saturn motors will run forever to a certain extent. Abused or neglected ones do fail.
 
I think there are many Saturn owners still doing short runs with the hope of keeping rings from getting (more) gummed up and worsening or beginning the consumption.

Personally, I have extremely high consumption (1 qt./500 miles) and have read or been told numerous times that at that rate of consumption, there is always fresh oil, and therefore no reason to change it/should stretch out the run. However, it always makes me wondering what the added contamination level is in the oil from all that burning. I don't have a good answer but since once the oil consumption begins on a Saturn it doesn't seem reversible, IMO there is still something to be said for being conservative with the OCI.

That said, the engines do put up with a lot of abuse. I've burnt the same amount for the last 70K and (fingers crossed) my SL2 doesn't show signs of quitting yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

2000fordfocus
Valvoline Restore and Protect in a car with leaking valve seats
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
THORROMIG
M
Kia K900 oil choice?
Replies
19
Views
760
shortyb
B
Valvoline Restore and Protect: 2017 Santa Fe 2.0 T Sport Ultimate
Replies
16
Views
2K
Urshurak776
D
M1 ESP 0W-30 vs M1 Euro/FS 0W-40
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
buster
R
2025 -- (up to 4/30/2025) YTD Totals: "Post your latest oil change"
Replies
5
Views
3K
perkz
Back
Top Bottom