Oil change recommendation?

[otis24]

I'm debating between two possible oil change schedules for my 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, inline 4. I drive three miles, four times a day. So about twelve miles a day, I'm a short tripper. I try to take it out for a 20 mile hiway run every couple of weeks to get the oil temp up.

I can do Motorcraft (allegedly 60% synthetic now) and a Napa Gold filter for about $17. If I changed every three months, I would have about 1200 miles on the oil. Could also do six month OCI's on this oil.

Second choice would be Quaker State Ultimate Durability with Napa Gold for about $24. Would do six month OCI's, 2400 miles.

Are both of these oils capable of doing a 6 month OCI given my driving conditions and predicted miles? Is 1200 miles too soon to chage oil on this short tripper?

 

[dparm]

Six months is easily attainable. Heck, I'd go longer since you admit you do get it out on the highway.

If you are going to stick with six months and 2400 miles, switch to a cheaper oil.

 

[JC1]

Larry,

I would stick to the full synthetic Quaker State Ultimate Durability with Napa gold and leave that oil in for a full 12 months. In South Dakota, you'll benefit from the full synthetic.

Regards, JC.

 

[otis24]

Had debated doing the 12 month OCI. Granted, I will probably put a few more miles on during the summer. Don't expect I would put on more than 7500 miles in a year, even with the added running around to the fishing hole during the summer.

Luckily, we've had a very mild winter thus far. My last change was in October with Motorcraft (3 qts semi synthetic blend and two quarts full synthetic). Will look at doing an oil change 1st part of April and attempt a one year OCI with Quaker State Ultimate Durability, supported by an analysis from Blackstone.

 

[rjacket]

I have a Ford that was short tripping about 1500 miles every 6 months. MC Syn Blend before it was 60% syn did fine every 6 months with no real effort to go on longer trips.

I moved to Valvoline Full Synthetic and to 12 months but I am now making sure I do longer drives at the ratio of 1 for every 5 days of short trips.

My long drives tend to be up to an hour each way and 80% on the freeway.

Oil is at 9 months and looks fine.

The biggest thing that happened with the short trips was the fuel system getting gunked up. Cleaning the TB and putting in Gumout All In One really made a big difference. That's what I would recommend once or twice a year.

 

[Merkava_4]

You're supposed to go with the thinest oil that will maintain the factory recommended oil pressure and you want
to choose an oil that has a good High Temperature High Shear number and a high Viscosity Index Number.

Did I get that right?

 

[rjacket]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
You're supposed to go with the thinest oil that will maintain the factory recommended oil pressure and you want to choose an oil that has a good High Temperature High Shear number and a high Viscosity Index Number.

Did I get that right?

So is that Canola or Sunflower? Canola has better hths but sunflower has better vi.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: rjacket
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
You're supposed to go with the thinest oil that will maintain the factory recommended oil pressure and you want to choose an oil that has a good High Temperature High Shear number and a high Viscosity Index Number.

Did I get that right?

So is that Canola or Sunflower?

Whatever it is it's probably not 10W-40 since CATERHAM does not approve of it.

 

[Corvette Owner]

Does your 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have an oil life monitor? If not, what is the severe service OCI ?

 

[otis24]

Yes, it does have a monitor. But, it is one that just says "Change Oil", it does not have a percentage display. I have been watching it, curious to see when it will go off. I may delay my next oil change just to see when it goes off out of curiousity. Given the fact that we have had a very mild winter, Motorcraft is now 60% synthetic, and that I used two quarts of full synthetic Motorcraft in the mix, I'm inclined to push it until the oil life monitor trips.

I do like the thought of an 0w30 for cold flow protection if the winters get really bad. If I go to a once per year OCI, cost would be acceptable with Mobil 1 0w30.

 

[Corvette Owner]

Originally Posted By: otis24
Yes, it does have a monitor. But, it is one that just says "Change Oil", it does not have a percentage display. I have been watching it, curious to see when it will go off. I may delay my next oil change just to see when it goes off out of curiousity. Given the fact that we have had a very mild winter, Motorcraft is now 60% synthetic, and that I used two quarts of full synthetic Motorcraft in the mix, I'm inclined to push it until the oil life monitor trips.

I do like the thought of an 0w30 for cold flow protection if the winters get really bad. If I go to a once per year OCI, cost would be acceptable with Mobil 1 0w30.


Since your OLM is calibrated for conventional oil, I would definitely use 0w30 full synthetic and go to a once a year change, a no-brainer ! GM says you have 600 miles to change oil AFTER the OLM trips, and with you using synthetic oil, the reserve would be even longer.

 

[otis24]

One of the big concerns that I have is the build up of thick milky fluid under the oil cap (at least a table spoon full, if not more) and on the dipstick itself. Will a synthetic combat the effects of this moisture accumulation or would it be better to just change the oil every three months with Motorcraft synthetic blend during the cold months and do a 6 month OCI during the summer.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: otis24
One of the big concerns that I have is the build up of thick milky fluid under the oil cap (at least a table spoon full, if not more) and on the dipstick itself. Will a synthetic combat the effects of this moisture accumulation or would it be better to just change the oil every three months with Motorcraft synthetic blend during the cold months and do a 6 month OCI during the summer.


Short answer no. The best thing you can do is drive on the highway every once in a while to help burn off the fuel and moisture.