I have a 96 Dodge Neon (daily driver work car) and an 01 Nissan Pathfinder. I'm wanting to get to a once a year oil change if possible. The Neon is drove between 12K - 15K a year, 90% highway, has 108K miles on it (I've only had it for about 2 years), 2.0L DOHC, and have been using SuperTech 5W-30 Full Synthetic with a SuperTech filter for the past 2 oil changes (once every 6 months) with no leaks or oil usage. I just got the Pathfinder, so I have no idea what type of oil it has in it. It will be drove 8K - 10K a year, 75% highway, has 85K miles, 3.5L V6. I'm contemplating using Amsoil for a once a year change, but wanted to know of other alternatives. Is there any oil filters that would do the job over the course of the year besides the Amsoil extended drain (Wix possibly)? Also, would it be better to stick with 5w-30 or switch to 0w-30 GC or possibly a 5w-20 (temp ranges from -5F (maybe once a year, normal low 10F) to 100F). I'm also looking at switching to either a Wix or Amsoil air filter. Sorry for the long post, I wanted to make sure I gave enough information up front as this is my first post.
Once a year OCI?
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Don't want to speculate on your oil choice for an annual OCI, but manufacturers have specific reason for their recommendations of oil filter change intervals.
You will find most oil filter with cellulose media specify 6 month change intervals whilst change interval for Amsoil EaO filters are 1 year. This is because oil filter cellulose media degrade with use much faster than synthetic media.
You will find most oil filter with cellulose media specify 6 month change intervals whilst change interval for Amsoil EaO filters are 1 year. This is because oil filter cellulose media degrade with use much faster than synthetic media.
Patman has reported time-extended oil changes on his Mom's car. If I remember right, he's put GC in it. The thread I remember said he did a UOA on it at a year or better and the oil was just fine. I suspect the problem is more with BITOGers getting itchy to change oil rather than a seldom-used car needing the change.
I don't have experience with elderly filters, so can't give a reading about it.
I don't have experience with elderly filters, so can't give a reading about it.
Patman
Staff member
Yep, it was my mom's 2001 VW Golf and the OCI was almost 2 full years and 7600 miles, on GC 0w30. The analysis came back looking good. I will add though, that 2L of makeup oil was added during that time, so it will boost the TBN of the oil as a result.
I'm starting to think i never need to change my oil....
2qts of makeup every 4-5k miles.
2qts of makeup every 4-5k miles.
Unless you are not in a position to do the oil changes yourself, what do you gain besides a 1/2 hour each car per year. My Neon uses 5/30 and I change every 4 months 5000K. Use Havoline 5/30 and a Purolator Premium for a $13 oil change. Pathfinders use 5/30 I believe, and that engine is bullet proof. #@$%!, use Havoline in there every 4 months. You are only talking about $100 for the year for both cars. Neon won't burn oil in most cases. Neither will the Pathfinder.
Any filter will last a year and up to 15k miles. You could easily do one year OCI with Amsoils products. Mobil 1 EP is also rated for extended oil changes and should last a year under your conditions.
It is looking like Amsoils Eao filter could probably go 2 years, and be working better the second year than the first year.
GC is probably too thick for your cars.
In fact, your Supertech Syn and Supertech filter combo would probably be fine for a year. Don't listen to people that say Supertech syn has a weak add-pack blah blah blah. There is no evidence that it is weak.
I say try 9 months with the Supertech combo and do an analysis. That would be cheaper than trying Amsoil. Plus it would give Bitog some really good data on Supertech Syn.
It is looking like Amsoils Eao filter could probably go 2 years, and be working better the second year than the first year.
GC is probably too thick for your cars.
In fact, your Supertech Syn and Supertech filter combo would probably be fine for a year. Don't listen to people that say Supertech syn has a weak add-pack blah blah blah. There is no evidence that it is weak.
I say try 9 months with the Supertech combo and do an analysis. That would be cheaper than trying Amsoil. Plus it would give Bitog some really good data on Supertech Syn.
I'd use Amsoil ASL 5w-30 and an Eao filter. BUT, don't even try and attempt this before you do some oil analysis testing first.
I'm thinking you should cut that time in half and go 6 month OCI's on high end synthetic oil with a high end filter on both those cars. Limit your mileage to 7500.
Triple_Se7en
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Without any mention of prior UOAs, I would not suggest going longer intervals until you find out that no fuel or coolant dilution exists.
This guy does 75-90% highway mileage. I bet the manual states 7500mile/1yr OCI with dino. We never see worn out dino oil under these condition. Even with fuel dilution problems. Can anyone show me a UOA with dino under these conditions that was worn out at 7500 miles?
Under what basis are you suggesting synthetic oil with 7500 mile OCI? I am not talking about the "cheap insurance" argument. Do you have any evidence that 7500mile synthetic OCI's would be required under his driving conditions? Anything?
He does not need a UOA to determine if a 7500 mile OCI with dino is OK. UNLESS, he is just an anal bitoger.
Under what basis are you suggesting synthetic oil with 7500 mile OCI? I am not talking about the "cheap insurance" argument. Do you have any evidence that 7500mile synthetic OCI's would be required under his driving conditions? Anything?
He does not need a UOA to determine if a 7500 mile OCI with dino is OK. UNLESS, he is just an anal bitoger.
I wouldn't run more miles then the car manufacturer recommends w/o an oil analysis, dino or syn. One year OCIs are fine as long as the mileage is under manufacturer recommendations.
I think GC is too heavy for your cars; a 5w30 would be a better choice.
I think GC is too heavy for your cars; a 5w30 would be a better choice.
How about you do your normal oil change with the supertech oil and a quality filter like a Mobil 1 or Purolator Pure One and drive the car for six months. Then, use a fluid extractor to remove the oil from the sump, without touching the filter, and refill with fresh oil. And drive six more months. Then change everything. ???
Stick with Amsoil ASL 5W-30 for all the cars, with Amsoil EaO oil filters. Sure it costs a few bucks more, but less than a tank of fuel difference, as another fellow said! ASL – you won’t even be pushing it. Especially with highway miles.
Oddly enough, I enjoy changing the oil, so I wouldn't let my oil go for a year even if it could. But that's just me. I'd think Amsoil oil and EaO filter would definitely get you there though.
4esor.
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. A very large portion of the board members have clean oil OCD. At least you admit that he would be fine with Amsoil.
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. A very large portion of the board members have clean oil OCD. At least you admit that he would be fine with Amsoil.
Yeah, I admit it as well. Changing oil somehow feeds a deep subconscious need to do something to keep things "right" in the world. Really too bad about the possibility that new oil actually causes more wear for a brief time. Otherwise, I'd just run Supertech synthetic and change it like every 2k miles!!!!
I think the poster should try the 1 year OCI, but I agree that a UOA would be wise, before does it year after year.
I think the poster should try the 1 year OCI, but I agree that a UOA would be wise, before does it year after year.
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