2 vehicles: 95 Galant with 144,000 miles, 2.4L I4 and 95 F-150 with 137,000 miles, 5.0L V-8.
Galant sees mostly highway use. Currently using 10W-40 TropArtic on a rinse phase of Auto-Rx. Prior to that was using MaxLife 10w30, and for one 3,000-mile OCI - Mobil Drive Clean Plus 10w30. On both oils the engine went through about 1 qt. of oil in 1,000 miles (no visible smoke at any time, or significant leaks). So far, 10W-40 and Auto-Rx seem to have reduced consumption to about 3/4 of a quart per 1,000 miles (I do realize that A-Rx cycle is not finished yet - still need to finish the rise phase - about 1,300 miles left to go, and then another application). I was wondering if it would be a good idea to go to say Delvac 1, or maybe Rotella T Synth. or some other HDEO for this application. The current rinse phase should be over by about March, or so. By then, the temps. around here (K.C. area) should be high enough to use 15w40 (especially Delvac 1; I understand it has some good cold-cranking characteristics), right? Or would 15w40 be too much for a little 4-banger, and 5W-40 would be a better choice? Price is a factor here also, since although this car looks, runs, and drives pretty well, especially for its age and mileage, I do consider it a beater, and would rather use cheaper oil. On the other hand, I'd still like for this car to make it to 200,000 miles and beyond, so I wouldn't want to use the oil that's too cheap, or inferior or whatever.
F-150 is driven mostly in town, short trips (no more than 15 miles). Currently has Motorcraft 10w30 and does not seem to be using a single drop. So far I've been changing oil every 3 months (came to about 1,000 short-trip miles at best). At last oil change (December) I noticed yellowish-foamy substance on the oil fill cap. Oil and coolant levels are perfect, no leaks, or driveability issues. The same thing happened a few years back. At that time I used one of those kits that are supposed to detect exhaust gases in the coolant (test for a bad head-gasket). The test came back negative, so I assume the yellowish foam was a sigh of condensation.
So here's the question: should I alter the OCI to something like 1 month? Use HDEO (maybe get some CI-rated 10w30 from the dealer)? Take the truck out on the highway once a week?
The trips in this case used to be under 6 miles. I started taking the long way home from work, which increased the distance to about 14 miles. Is this enough, should I increase it some more, or am I simply wasting gas?
Any comment and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Galant sees mostly highway use. Currently using 10W-40 TropArtic on a rinse phase of Auto-Rx. Prior to that was using MaxLife 10w30, and for one 3,000-mile OCI - Mobil Drive Clean Plus 10w30. On both oils the engine went through about 1 qt. of oil in 1,000 miles (no visible smoke at any time, or significant leaks). So far, 10W-40 and Auto-Rx seem to have reduced consumption to about 3/4 of a quart per 1,000 miles (I do realize that A-Rx cycle is not finished yet - still need to finish the rise phase - about 1,300 miles left to go, and then another application). I was wondering if it would be a good idea to go to say Delvac 1, or maybe Rotella T Synth. or some other HDEO for this application. The current rinse phase should be over by about March, or so. By then, the temps. around here (K.C. area) should be high enough to use 15w40 (especially Delvac 1; I understand it has some good cold-cranking characteristics), right? Or would 15w40 be too much for a little 4-banger, and 5W-40 would be a better choice? Price is a factor here also, since although this car looks, runs, and drives pretty well, especially for its age and mileage, I do consider it a beater, and would rather use cheaper oil. On the other hand, I'd still like for this car to make it to 200,000 miles and beyond, so I wouldn't want to use the oil that's too cheap, or inferior or whatever.
F-150 is driven mostly in town, short trips (no more than 15 miles). Currently has Motorcraft 10w30 and does not seem to be using a single drop. So far I've been changing oil every 3 months (came to about 1,000 short-trip miles at best). At last oil change (December) I noticed yellowish-foamy substance on the oil fill cap. Oil and coolant levels are perfect, no leaks, or driveability issues. The same thing happened a few years back. At that time I used one of those kits that are supposed to detect exhaust gases in the coolant (test for a bad head-gasket). The test came back negative, so I assume the yellowish foam was a sigh of condensation.
So here's the question: should I alter the OCI to something like 1 month? Use HDEO (maybe get some CI-rated 10w30 from the dealer)? Take the truck out on the highway once a week?
The trips in this case used to be under 6 miles. I started taking the long way home from work, which increased the distance to about 14 miles. Is this enough, should I increase it some more, or am I simply wasting gas?
Any comment and advice would be greatly appreciated.
