Oil quality vs. oil color

[M1Accord]

For years I know that just because the oil color look dark doesn't mean it needs changing. What I didn't know or suspect was that, just because the oil color look clean on the dipstick, it is still good "as new" My story is below:

I went to change my oil today because I forgot when I last change it for my Accord. This is my personal ride. It bounds to happens when you have 15 cars (14 are fleet vehicles) and not write down stuffs. Anyway, I remember vaguely that I changed it at least 6 months ago and didn't drive it much since I have been busy. But I do check the dipstick every week just to make sure it still good. Well, the oil on the dipstick always looks clean, very clean in fact. But when the oil came out today, it was pretty dirty when it came out the drain hole. I captured the oil and put it in a oil bottle that held the fresh oil going into the car. It really funny how dark it is when it came out. Even now when I look into the bottle, it looks very dark. But I pour half a teaspoon to inspect and it looks very clean. I was like "dark as a whole but clean as small amount. What The FICK" WHAT SHOULD I KNOW OR CONCLUDE WITH THIS SCENARIA???

Now I am thinking that mixing this oil up with gasoline for my 2-stroke pocket rocket or dump it into my fleet vehicle, but I wonder if I should do a used oil analysis just to see.

Oil was Mobil 1 5w20. No mileage knowledge, just know it is 6 months at least. To be honest, I haven't done a OA before and can't even read the ____ chart.

My question is: is this oil going to go bad sitting around for like 5 months or so. All my vehicles just got changed about 3 months ago and I don't have real need now. I hate to throw good synthetic oil out, but my pocket rocket needs brake work before I can ride it.

Is there a cheap OA I can do where they just tell me "good" "bad" or "still ok" analysis instead of all the number that I frankly not too interest in knowing.

Sorry for a lot of questions but that happens when you are not "the oil guy".

BTW, Valvoline has a sale for their 5W30 stuffs so I put that in as I am planning a trip to Vegas in July. I figure I shouldn't go with 20W in long desert driving.

 

[Merkava_4]

Do you check your oil hot or soon after driving? Because if you do, it'll appear cleaner.

I always check mine while it's cold so that the contaminates have had a chance to settle towards the bottom of the oil pool where the end of the dipstick will be; that way when I pull the dipstick, I'll see its "true colours."

 

[Virtuoso]

Conclude that your oil is doing it's job but not getting very dirty

Oil on the dipstick on my Windstar looks pretty clean after 2,500 miles but in the jug is black. Your oil should be fine after sitting 5 months.

 

[M1Accord]

I usually check it right after driving but not always. The funny thing is that it looks very clean when viewing just a teaspoon amount. The oil is not in my oil safe now waiting to be mixed with gasoline for the 2-stroke.

 

[farrarfan1]

Quote:

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BTW, Valvoline has a sale for their 5W30 stuffs so I put that in as I am planning a trip to Vegas in July. I figure I shouldn't go with 20W in long desert driving.

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What makes you "figure" 5W20 wouldn't work?

 

[M1Accord]

I will be stopping only for gas and restroom. I estimate that I could be doing driving 7hr straight at speed of 80 mph, stopping only to gas up and ____. I prefer to not think that there is some unnecessary wear/tear by sticking with 5W20.

Mobil 1 5W20 could probably do it, I just don't want to worry about it. And 5W30 should be good for the entire trip, which would be a total of 8k miles as we will be going to CA and take a different route back, stopping at various locations and stuffs.

Just cheap insurance to go with 30W.

 

[M1Accord]

And I will be using that VTec technology I paid for too.

 

[sxg6]

Theres no reason at all why 5w-20 wouldnt work under those conditions. I had Mobil 1 0w-20 in my civic when i took a trip from connecticut to colorado with no worries at all. In my personal opinion, its conditions like this which are actually the easiest on oil.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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I prefer to not think that there is some unnecessary wear/tear by sticking with 5W20.

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Uh oh. . . we have another non-believer here; it's time to sound the sirens. . .

 

[M1Accord]

trust me my friend, I am a big believer in 5W20. But not when driving 80 mph non-stop until there is no gas, fill up, and go again until we reach vegas. I am taking 2 buddies with me and we're taking turn driving. screw sleep and motel. when you only have 3 weeks a year for vacation, you spend them wisely and that mean no ____ motel stay in the middle of la la land.

 

[M1Accord]

but i am more interest in what everyone experience and expertise and evaluation on this quality vs. coloration stuffs.

 

[Merkava_4]

Motor oil is translucent for the most part when it's new. When you're looking at it on the dipstick, it has a fairly thin film which lets a lot of light shine through.

Now if you pull the oil fill cap off and look for a puddle of oil, it'll look much darker; that's because there's more of it to prevent light from shining through. After awhile, there will be more dirt in the oil and you'll be able to see the oil on the dipstick easier; that's because the particulates in suspension are blocking the light from shining through.

I use time and mileage as a guide for determining OCI's, but if the oil on the dipstick is getting too dark to the point where I'm starting to feel uncomfortable about it, I'll drain it out.

 

[tripleM]

I've asked this question numerous of time & it's still split into 2 camps as to what color really means for oil: dirty or isn't indicative.

I think both camp agree on sludge tho

 

[jorton]

Did you see the other post "2 blotters same car"? Try that test on the used Mobil 1.

5w30 for the cross country trip sounds like a good idea but I am pleased to note no consumption using Motorcraft 5w-20 in my car driving 4 short cross country trips over this 4000 mile interval.

(I didn't know it's ok to use motor oil mix in a 2 stroke motorcycle.)