Mobil 1 EP vs other syns for a long drain...

[electrolover]

well i bit the bullet and got a jug of M1 EP and a Bosch Distance plus for my explorer the other day, have not used it yet... How do you guys think it would fare against other syns like Synpower, M1 AFE, FS SYN, or PU for a long drain? My current fill is QSAD, what do you think a safe oci would be for the first run? I probably wont be getting a UOA just because im LAZY like that But im thinking about starting off with 8k maybe.... any thoughts?

 

[Oregoonian]

Depends on your driving habits.....explain how much of your driving is stop & go, city, or highway...and how many miles the majority of your trips are. Percentages usually give a good indication as well. Also....tell us what vehicle you are driving.

 

[ltslimjim]

If used during harsh part of winter, and mainly short trips(5-10 miles or less in sub-32 degrees for most of the OCI)...probably 7,500 is safest. Possibly more than 10,000 during the summer.

 

[Artem]

If your driving style / conditions are a little on the easy side, check the manual and run the oil for a "normal service" internal and pull a sample to see how the oil is doing and to determine how much longer you can run it. If there's still plenty of oil life left, run it a little longer and then change the oil. During the next fill, run it longer then the first UOA and pull a sample to see how much longer it can go. Imo, that is a safe way of extending the OCIs and to find a good interval for your car / driving style and conditions. Just because the oil is rated for up to 15k doesn't mean you can run it that long. The oil might be toast in your car after 5,000 miles. There's only one way to find out.

 

[buster]

Time will tell. EP SM could have been better. The lower sulfated ash has resulted in a lower starting Tbn for the SN, but I'd expect it to be better. A UOA is the only way to find out.

 

[tig1]

I have some experience with this subject. I have used EP(up to the presant 0-20 I have been using for the last year) since M1 came out with this version. However I still drained at 10K with narry a problem. Also a friend has a 2003 Windstar 3.8 and has 145K on the engine. He is going the full 15K(M1 5-30EP) and then some and doesn't have to add oil during the OCI. M1 filters. I have changed his oil several times and even cut opened one filter and it was gunk free as was my oil drain pan. M1 EP is an outstanding oil, but you must decide what OCI you are cool with.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

8K should be fine, but you won't know unless you do a UOA. Mobil 1 and Amsoil are at the top of the list for me.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian

Depends on your driving habits.....explain how much of your driving is stop & go, city, or highway...and how many miles the majority of your trips are. Percentages usually give a good indication as well. Also....tell us what vehicle you are driving.

the car is my ford explorer in my sig. its been maintained extremely well! looking in the oil fill it looks as if it was just built. zero consumption, and i change the fuel and air filters yearly. the driving habits are kinda tuff. mostly in town driving, less than 10 miles at a time, but it also sees the monthly drive to gramas which is 50 miles each way (all highway) and during the holidays we go out of town alot, so it will get alot of highway there too. i guess by mileage its around 50/50.

 

[Solarent]

The trick with UOA is establishing a trend for your vehicle and driving habits. Everyone is going to get slightly different results. However, since you aren't planning on using UOA that is kind of a moot point. Based on what you've told us I think you would be safe from 7500-8000 without any issues. For future drains I personally would not push past 10k without doing UOA.

 

[hpichris]

I've never had the courage to run my personal cars to that high a number before an oil change..