Post your latest oil change

Today was a great day to go outside and do some maintenance.

That Gumout MSTU was a stand-in for the Techron I added to the tank this morning and promptly threw away, forgetting i wanted to do this shot.

I blasted CRC into the intake for the first time since my second oil change with the VRP, and it went smoother than ever before. Especially the test drive, felt like a new car.

While the engine heat soaked, I did my third drain and fill of the transmission, about 3000 miles after the 2nd and 6k miles total since the first. As you can see, very little crud on the plug this time (thankfully) and a short video of the fluid draining out will be uploaded here soon. Shifting also felt better than before, which is a relief because I honestly felt like the first two D&Fs did Jack.

I also cleaned the PCV valve during the CRC heat soak, which looked much cleaner than I thought it would. I let it soak in a cup of Berryman B12 Chemtool and then finished it off with rubber tipped dental picks and Gumout Choke cleaner.

After the heat soak, I took it for a 20 mile highway test drive, and I know it's hardly scientific and objective, but it did feel more responsive.

When I got back to the house, I promptly dumped in the Liquid Moly flush and let it run at idle for 20 minutes. I wasn't initially going to use a flush, because I had thought about keeping the FRAM Endurance oil filter on for one more change (10k total), but Ive been wanting to try that product for a while. So once that drained out, I replaced it with another FRAM Endurance and 5 qts of the Valvoline Restore and Protect.

This is my 4th change with the VRP, and I've been logging some very inconsistent oil consumption since I first used it, anything from 1qt in 500 miles to 1qt in about 1200. But I now think that will happen with any oil I use, so ive kind of come to accept it at this juncture. Other than that, everything about the oil seems to perform as good or better than anything else that could be had for the price, which lets be real, isn't that bad, even for a 5k OCI.

Later this week I'm getting the tires rotated and the LF inspected because it keeps losing air, but there's no damage, defects or excessive wear visible. Could be the bead or the valve stem but I can't hear anything hissing out. It's very gradual. And I'll also be replacing the cabin and engine air filters.

I'm not sure how I want to maintain the Trans going forward, I was thinking a drain and fill every 15k miles, so the fluid is 80-90% changed every 30k miles. I'll change the oil at 123k, sticking with the VRP, and leaving the filter on for 10k.

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2021 Ram 2500 8500 miles. 6300 miles on this oil.
2 years 7 months on this run

Out HPL premium plus 0w40. Fram ultra filter.

In HPL supercar 0w40. Fram endurance filter.

UOA collected. I'm sure there is some break-in still going on so I decided to change it and see how it held up to time and towing.
Truck is used mostly for towing.
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2016 Tacoma, 130K miles, 8000 mile since last OC, ST 0w-20 out and ST 0W-20 in (had 4 or so jugs a bit less than 1/2 full), OEM filter
Burned 1 qt over 8000 miles. I have no history earlier than 108K miles.

2023 4Runner, 28K miles (purchased at 23K miles) unknown out...but it was fresh at time of purchase. 1 jug ST 0W-20 Advanced in and topped off from old jugs of ST 0W-20, OEM filter.
 
2020 Kia Forte, 32,662 Miles, only about 3,800 miles on the oil but 8 months and a lot of short trips, plus it was a nice day and i already had the jack out rotating the tires on my car so seemed like as good a time as any.

Out: M1 5W20 + M1-104A
In: 1Qt M15W20, 3.2 qts 5W30EP + M1-104A

Switched to the 5W30EP to be common with my car since i aways have it around
 
2013 Honda Civic @ 95,000 mi (OCI 5,000 mi)
Out: Mobil EP 0W-20, OEM Honda filter
In: Valvoline R&P 0W-20, Fram Endurance filter

2013 Lexus CT200h @ 170,000 mi (OCI 5,000 mi)
Out: Valvoline R&P 0W-20, Fram Endurance filter
In: Valvoline R&P 0W-20, Carquest Premium filter

First round of VRP in the Civic and second for the Lexus! Anecdotally, both engines seem to be running smoother and quieter. Plan on doing 4 total rounds of VRP for both cars and go from there… maybe go back to M1 ESP?
 
2014 Toyota 4runner 167,560 miles. 7.5k OCI
Out: 5 qts Supertech Advanced 5w30 and 1 qt Schaffers Supreme 5w30. Royal Purple filter after two OCIs
In: 5qts Quaker State Euro FS 5w40, 1 qt Schaffers Supreme 5w30, and .6 quarts Pennzoil Platinum 10w30. Purolator Boss
 
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0l and 5k interval. Half quart of Quaker State 20w-50 make up oil added.

Out: Some older Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 I found in the back of the stash and a jobber filter
In: Kirkland Synthetic 5w-30 and a STP S16XL filter

One thing I've noticed about this rig is that the oil filter is ALWAYS mostly empty when changing the oil. The brand and type of filter does not seem to matter. Everything from Mobil 1 to Motorcraft, Fram, Champ or anything else.
 
2007 Chevrolet Malibu
2.2 Ecotec 4 cylinder
Out: unknown oil, unknown cartridge filter
In: Quaker State Advanced Durability 5w30, AcDelco PF457G cartridge filter

2001 Ford F-150
4.6 V8
Out: Schaeffer's 7000 5w20, Motorcraft FL820S filter
In: Swepco 306 15w40, Motorcraft FL820S filter
 
08 Lexus RX350 153,600 miles on vehicle, 5100 OCI, new copper washer
Out: Penzoil platinum 10w30, STP filter
In: View attachment 251433
Old washer on bottom
View attachment 251434
If that copper crush washer leaks I would replace it with an aluminum one. The aluminum crush and seal a lot easier than a copper washers. The only leaks with a metal crush washer that I ever had was with a copper one. I could never tighten it comfortably enough as to not think I was going to pull the threads. Swapped the washer on the Mercedes to an aluminum one, and it felt like half the torque was needed to seal it. Nice Lexus. My ex had one, and it was a very fun vehicle to drive; it felt like it hugged the rode easily.
 
2020 Nissan Altima 2.5L, 45,380 mi, 5,260 OCI
Out: PUP 0W-20, OE Nissan (MAHLE) filter
In: QSUP 0W-20, OE Nissan (MAHLE) filter

Out: Factory NS-3 CVT fluid, Factory Transmission Filter, 45,380 OCI
In: Idemitsu CVTF Type-N3 CVT fluid, OE Nissan Transmission Filter

Out: STP engine & cabin air filters, ~15,000 OCI
In: MicroGard engine & cabin air filters

Not taking any chances with JATCO's transmissions after a bad experience with a 2010 Rogue when I was little.
Shout-out to O'Reilly for stocking the OEM CVT fluid @ $14/qt 💪🏻

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How many miles on the OCI and how much short trip?

6K / 12 months on a '21 Tucson with Kendall syn blend was the same. It's really short tripped. Revolting smell.

I changed OCI to 1/2 that now.
Although I go a little shorter , a 5,000 mile / 6 month OCI (which ever comes first) is a safe OCI to follow until you know more about your vehicle’s engine and oil requirements.
 
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