Oil change advise

EloManga · Feb 9, 2005

Hey,
I've been reading through posts and I notice that people are doing oil changes on 7500+ miles intervals.
I just wanted to know what kind of driving are you doing that allows you to go so long?
Currently, I've switched to Mobil 1 10W30 syn. and have an AC Delco filter on my 93' Probe. I'll be driving about 120Km's (75Miles) to work a week, and it'll be 90% city. So, I'd like to know what would you recommend as my interval? I am hoping for about 6 months (about 3250Km's or 2030Miles).
As a side note, the engine has been swapped, and is now higher compression (10:1), so it does tend to burn oil. My tendancy to put the pedal down will probably be once a week, so I don't kill my car as other guys (like decked out Civic owners), do.
Thanks

pitzel · Feb 9, 2005

Motor oils, especially synthetic motor oils, have benefitted from significant technical advances, as have the engines themselves, in the past 20 years.

The 3000 mile 'recommendation' was dreamt up in the 1960s or 1970s, in an era when petrol was somewhat dirtier, carburetors guaranteed significant amounts of fuel would be dumped into the oil, and engine build tolerances were less. Also the oils available back then didn't have the benefit of modern basestocks or additive packages.

Ultimately used oil analysis is your ultimate guide, but I think for your type of operation, 5000 miles/1 year would be a good starting point with the Mobil 1. As always, keep a close eye on the oil level as some engines do tend to temporarily increase their consumption when switching to Mobil 1.

EloManga · Feb 9, 2005

Well, I do have to watch it anyway, since it's burns it.
But thanks!

pitzel · Feb 9, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by EloZE'PGT:
Well, I do have to watch it anyway, since it's burns it.
But thanks!

Oh you live in TO! Read up on Esso XD-3 synthetic 0W30, which is a far, far less expensive, and an arguably superior alternative to Mobil 1 for Canadians, especially with all your short trip usage.

1maniac · Feb 9, 2005

Well someone hit the nail on the head. UOA should be your guide. I went 14 months on a fill of Amsoil Series 2000 0w30 in my daily driver. Of course there was the occasional filter change and top off. I take pretty short trips so there was the weekly drive out on the highway to burn off any H2O that found its way into the oil. As your car burns oil you'll be replenishing the additives when you add the top off oil.

pitzel · Feb 9, 2005

Since Esso XD-3 0W30 is a 'thicker' oil (higher viscosity at operating temperature), it is particularly interesting for use in engines that burn oil. Who knows, if the stuff can remove some ring deposits, maybe the oil consumption will decrease.

EloManga · Feb 9, 2005

Well, 0W30 is too light on start up. I need a thicker oil to lube my HLA's (Hydraulic Lash Adjusters). This engine is prone to burning due to the higher compression.
Is the Esso XD good in the 10W30?
Or I could go with the Amsoil, that stuff is pricey though, and sold only by the bottle (946ml).

pitzel · Feb 9, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by EloZE'PGT:
Well, 0W30 is too light on start up. I need a thicker oil to lube my HLA's (Hydraulic Lash

There isn't any significant difference in the 'thickness' of Mobil 1 10w30 and Esso XD-3 0W30 at startup. The Esso XD-3 0W30 is in fact 'thicker' than Mobil 1 10w30 when the engine is warmed up and operating.

A product known as German Castrol ("GC") has shown excellent results from used oil analysis in these forums with pretty much every engine it has been tested in, and its viscosity is 0w30 and most other properties are similar if not identical to XD-3 0W30. I am curious as to the origins of your belief that you need a 'thicker' oil for startup.

quote:

Adjusters). This engine is prone to burning due to the higher compression.
Is the Esso XD good in the 10W30?
Or I could go with the Amsoil, that stuff is pricey though, and sold only by the bottle (946ml).

Since XD-3 0W30 is thicker, it should reduce consumption in comparison with Mobil 1 10W30. 12 cSt for XD-3 0W30 versus 11cSt for Mobil 1 10w30. (higher cSt number = 'thicker' oil)

XD-3 synthetic is only available in 0w30 and 0W-40 grades. Do a search in the forums for more information.

Palut · Feb 9, 2005

Pitzel is right. Esso 0w30 will actually be thicker than Mobil 1 10w30 at operating temperature, and thinner than Mobil 1 10w30 when the oil is cold. And both oils will be several times thicker when cold than they are when hot. The Esso 0w30 would be an excellent choice (and better IMO) than the Mobil 1 10w30.

Cyprs · Feb 9, 2005

I echo Pitzel, I talk to Esso agents, they claim the 0-30 or 0-40 XD3 stops oil consumption on engines that consume conventional oil. I personally have found no oil consumption on my Cummins using this 0-40 XD3 in first time use this winter, I do consume small amount of conventional 15-40 on OCIs. Works for me, great cost at half price of Mobil.

At price of this stuff I can afford to do 5K OCI and my brother happily uses my waste oil in his junkers with cheapest filter he can find. This 0-40 POA syn oil in XD3 is only $1.00 more per litre than a premium conventional 15-40, I have a 12 litre capacity, $12.00 more on OCI gives me the best oil I can find and I can afford short OCI as long as that price holds, I will not run dirt through my engine on long OCI to save what? $12.00.

For the price, I cant go wrong with this OCI plan in my opinion.

Cyprs

EloManga · Feb 12, 2005

I need a thicker oil on startup because I had Castrol 5w30 conventional (I know, bad move) and the HLA's made noise like crazy, and it wasn't even that cold out!

Well, if you guys have actual results that say the XD-3 is thicker than the 10W30 Mobil, then I guess I could try it out and see what happens.

Now 2 things,
Where do you buy it from? The Esso station?
I'm guessing since it's thicker, it's okay to use in the summer, since the tendancy is to go 10W in the summer and 5W in the winter.

pitzel · Feb 12, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by EloZE'PGT:
I need a thicker oil on startup because I had Castrol 5w30 conventional (I know, bad move) and the HLA's made noise like crazy, and it wasn't even that cold out!

Well, if you guys have actual results that say the XD-3 is thicker than the 10W30 Mobil, then I guess I could try it out and see what happens.

Mobil 1 10W30 has a kinematic viscosity of 10.0 centistokes @ 100degC.

Reference: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_10W-30.asp

Esso Extra XD-3 0W30 has a kinematic viscosity of 12.1 centistokes @ 100degC.

Reference: http://www.mobil1.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENCVLESEsso_Xd-3_extra.pdf

Since a higher centistoke value means a 'thicker' (or more viscous) oil, the 0w30 XD-3 is clearly 'thicker' than the Mobil 1 10w30.

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but the 0W, 5W, and 10W part of the SAE 0W-30, 5w30, 10w30 specification refers to an oil's cold-flow properties and has absolutely nothing to do with how an oil will perform when the engine is warmed up and running.

quote:

Where do you buy it from? The Esso station?
I'm guessing since it's thicker, it's okay to use in the summer, since the tendancy is to go 10W in the summer and 5W in the winter.

Some Esso stations carry it, but usually it is best purchased from an Esso 'Bulk' dealer, such as found at:

http://www.mobil1.ca/Canada-English/Products/Lubricants/PS_L_Distributors.asp

Alternatively, look for an Esso-branded truck stop or agricultural products dealer, call them and ask.

On another note, your HLA noise, was it occurring when the engine was warmed up, or just at startup?

1maniac · Feb 12, 2005

quote:

Or I could go with the Amsoil, that stuff is pricey though, and sold only by the bottle (946ml).

You may want to contact a site sponsor for Amsoil because I believe they sell just about every oil they make in one gallon and 2.5 gallon containers.

Patman · Feb 12, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by EloZE'PGT:
I need a thicker oil on startup because I had Castrol 5w30 conventional (I know, bad move) and the HLA's made noise like crazy, and it wasn't even that cold out!

Well, if you guys have actual results that say the XD-3 is thicker than the 10W30 Mobil, then I guess I could try it out and see what happens.

Now 2 things,
Where do you buy it from? The Esso station?
I'm guessing since it's thicker, it's okay to use in the summer, since the tendancy is to go 10W in the summer and 5W in the winter.

In the GTA you can get it from Noco lubricants in Etobicoke. They've got wacky hours though, I think they are only open 9-3pm M-F!

DR RPM · Feb 12, 2005

Most of the ESSO branded service stations sell XD-3 because it is recommended for diesel pickups.

EloManga · Feb 13, 2005

The HLA noise occured more on initial startup when the engine is cold, but I do hear it when the engine is warm, a bit. Hopefully the Full Synthetic will curb this issue.
But to get back to how long I should go on 1 oil change, seeing as I make short trips? Still 6 months or longer?
Also, I just checked my oil, hasn't lost any yet. We'll see after my first week of work this week. (Start the new job tomorrow)

Nickdfresh · Mar 15, 2006

Is "German Castrol" SYNTEC 0w30 made by LubeMolly?

Bamaro · Mar 15, 2006

I do 7500+ changes because 90% of my driving is a 23 mile trip each way to work over mostly country roads . That is the interval recommended in my manual for that type of driving. I actually go a little longer in the winter months because during those months I use synthetic. That allows me to do a change in the spring and one in the fall.

Vilan · Mar 16, 2006

FYI, you should also be able to pick up XD-3 at Walmart.

Oil change advise

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