Oil for a 99 suzuki 1.6L?

[TNJay]

Hi Everyone. Long time lurker here in need of a little advice. I started a job as a courier a couple months ago, and purchased a 99 suzuki esteem 1.6 liter wagon for work use. I drive 1500-2000 miles a week. The vast majority is interstate or rural highway at 55-70 mph, with an average of 60 miles between stops. I currently have about 135k on the odometer.

I just filled with Mobil 1 5w30 HM and a Mobil 1 filter. My plan is for an 8k OCI. This would allow me to only change the oil once a month. This is my first fill with Mobil 1, but I burn roughly a quart every 2k with other oils I've used.

Any suggestions for another oil I should be using? The car runs well other than a puff of blue smoke upon startup. I live in a rural area so can't get some of the more exotic oils. But I have AutoZone and O'reilly locally as well as walmart.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[GenesisGuy70]

A quart every 2K, heck with 8K OCI's might as well not even bother. Just change the filter and let it drink.

 

[147_Grain]

Welcome to the Forum.

IF I had your vehicle, I'd be running a high mileage oil / synthetic blend such as MaxLife 10W-40 in the warm to hot temps of the South and do a couple LOF changes earlier than normal to clean things up. A regular oil filter is OK for short interval fluid changes, but I'd use a higher quality filter for the longer monthly OCI.

MaxLife is $16.97 per 5-quart container at Walmart.

The "puff of blue smoke upon startup" is likely from worn-out valve seals or guides. I suggest you save your money (instead of getting a valve job) for a more reliable vehicle (knock on wood and hope this vehicle gets you by until you can upgrade to a better car).

 

[simple_gifts]

I would leave the filter on for 15K.

 

[TNJay]

Originally Posted By: 147_Grain
Welcome to the Forum.

IF I had your vehicle, I'd be running a high mileage oil / synthetic blend such as MaxLife 10W-40 in the warm to hot temps of the South and do a couple LOF changes earlier than normal to clean things up. A regular oil filter is OK for short interval fluid changes, but I'd use a higher quality filter for the longer monthly OCI.

MaxLife is $16.97 per 5-quart container at Walmart.

The "puff of blue smoke upon startup" is likely from worn-out valve seals or guides. I suggest you save your money (instead of getting a valve job) for a more reliable vehicle (knock on wood and hope this vehicle gets you by until you can upgrade to a better car).


I haven't run maxlife in this car yet, but that is what I've used in most of my vehicles. I'm not sure how far I can safely push the OCI with maxlife.

I can live with it burning some oil. The mileage I put on my car due to my job make it foolish to spend too much on a work vehicle. I paid $1300 for this car, and when the motor or transmission dies I'll spend $1500 on another wagon.

I want to maximize the lifespan of this car. I don't want to have to change the oil twice a month, so I'd prefer synthetic. Is there a readily available maxlife full synthetic? Or maybe I should use the Mobil 1 High Mileage for a couple OCI to see if it reduces consumption?

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far.

 

[Nick1994]

There is a MaxLife full synthetic. But regular MaxLife should have no problem going 10k miles on an oil change in your situation. Highway drives are easy on oil, and with it burning a quart every 2,000 miles that means you're putting fresh oil in every 2,000 miles. That's keeping the usability of the oil up and fresh in there.

 

[simple_gifts]

Given his area and driving habits, he might be a good candidate for Mobil 1 15W-50.