normal/severe service?

[cutter]

Okay, please bear with me, I'm going to be very detailed here. I would like to know if what I'm doing qualifies as normal or severe service.

I have a 2.5 mile commute to work in the heart of Philadelphia. I ride my bike to work half of the time, so that means I drive to work maybe 2-3 times a week on average. I also pick up my GF on the other side of the city about two times a week, she's 5 miles away each way. Once a month, she or I drives my car to her parents house in New Hope, 45 highway miles each way. Once every 2 months, I take a long trip that's 150+ miles all highway. Then there's the random 10-30 miles 50/50 mix city/hwy thrown in. Also, remember that I get

This is with:

Drive an 01 celica GT with 1zz that has the potential to burn oil due to inadequate oil return holes. At 84k currently. Last fill is Mobil 1 5w30 SM late Dec 11. Previous three fills was Pennzoil conventional (maybe burned 1 qt every 5k, but I drove so little in the past three years little that it would be a year before I'd hit 5k). At 2500 miles on Mobil 1 (March), it burned 1/2-3/4 qt (topped off with leftover m1 and about 1/2 pint of MMO ). In May I added a 3/4 pint of Kreen right before a 400mile trip). At 6500 miles on the oil currently and since March it maybe burned a cup's worth.

I'm a bit bored at work since everyone left early but me, but curious to your opinions. What does my driving habits dictate? Should I seriously consider changing oil NOW?

 

[brentalan]

I say that's severe service, but you probably don't need to change now. IMO Consider a High Mileage oil next time.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd follow the Severe Service Interval. 6500 miles on the oil? If so I'd change it, especially if it logged a 1,000 or more miles since you added the Kreen.

 

[buster]

I agree with brentalan. You're definitely in the severe category. Usually anything
Philly can be tough. I'm there quite often.

 

[cutter]

Aye, that's what I was feeling. But this darn 100f business is off-putting, I have to do changes right on the street. I have an Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter on, I was thinking fill now with Maxlife and not change the filter, then hit 5k by November and then change with RP 0w-20 and RP filter i've been itching to use for winter. Yeah?

 

[chubbs1]

Originally Posted By: cutter
Aye, that's what I was feeling. But this darn 100f business is off-putting, I have to do changes right on the street. I have an Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter on, I was thinking fill now with Maxlife and not change the filter, then hit 5k by November and then change with RP 0w-20 and RP filter i've been itching to use for winter. Yeah?


Sounds good.

 

[dparm]

Definitely severe service interval.

 

[Astro14]

Majority very short trips? Severe...changing your oil a bit too often costs a little...not changing it enough costs a lot...I try to err on the safe side...