On Friday, for both vehicles in my sig, I decided to try the interfacial tension field test mentioned on this page: http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/376/surface-tension-test by dropping one drop of oil into a glass of water to see if/how much/how quickly it spreads. In addition, I've been doing the 1-drop blotter test Tig1 and others have mentioned.
The blotter test looked good after 24-hours, but for both vehicles, the oil spread out on the interfacial tension test. The oil in the xB spread more quickly and unevenly, while the spread in the Ody's oil was slower and more even. As a control, I also did the test with a drop of new Chevron Supreme - it beaded quickly and didn't spread at all.
The xB was at about 7k on Chevron Supreme & a P1, mostly highway and suburban boulevards, plus an 1800-mile road trip last month; the Ody was at about 6k on Pennzoil Conventional and a P1 with 40-50% short trips. I assumed the xB's oil had reached its limits and changed it this morning with Quaker State Ultimate Durability and a P1. If the Ody needs it, too, I have MSHM and a Puro Classic ready to go (after 240k miles, it uses about a quart every 5-6k; the Pennzoil conventional was simply to use up my stash).
The big question: for a layman, how reliable is that field test in determining the condition of the oil? The follow-up question: if it's fairly reliable, is the Ody's oil done, too?
The blotter test looked good after 24-hours, but for both vehicles, the oil spread out on the interfacial tension test. The oil in the xB spread more quickly and unevenly, while the spread in the Ody's oil was slower and more even. As a control, I also did the test with a drop of new Chevron Supreme - it beaded quickly and didn't spread at all.
The xB was at about 7k on Chevron Supreme & a P1, mostly highway and suburban boulevards, plus an 1800-mile road trip last month; the Ody was at about 6k on Pennzoil Conventional and a P1 with 40-50% short trips. I assumed the xB's oil had reached its limits and changed it this morning with Quaker State Ultimate Durability and a P1. If the Ody needs it, too, I have MSHM and a Puro Classic ready to go (after 240k miles, it uses about a quart every 5-6k; the Pennzoil conventional was simply to use up my stash).
The big question: for a layman, how reliable is that field test in determining the condition of the oil? The follow-up question: if it's fairly reliable, is the Ody's oil done, too?
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