My 02 Saturn sl has an olm. The manual states it'll go off at or before 6,000 miles. Should I listen to it or just change the oil every 3,000? I say such a low mileage because saturns are ao hard on oil. This one doesn't burn any oil and has 122,000 miles. All the input is appreciated!
Should I listen to olm?
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Originally Posted By: ram_man
Should I listen to it or just change the oil every 3,000?
Wouldn't this depend on the type of oil you're using and the type of operating conditions that you're facing?
3K miles is usually nothing. Even 6K miles is not a problem on a good quality oil, if no short tripping is involved.
Should I listen to it or just change the oil every 3,000?
Wouldn't this depend on the type of oil you're using and the type of operating conditions that you're facing?
3K miles is usually nothing. Even 6K miles is not a problem on a good quality oil, if no short tripping is involved.
Do you know what OCI took it to 122K with no consumption and was that using conventional, blend or synthetic? What are you going to use and what's the drive style?
I've always taken mine out to 5K on whatever but I've always had heavy consumption too.
Anyone know was the stuck rings less of an issue in the '02 model(s)?
I've always taken mine out to 5K on whatever but I've always had heavy consumption too.
Anyone know was the stuck rings less of an issue in the '02 model(s)?
JHZR2
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What does a used oil analysis say? You're willing to waste a ton of money by halving the OCI, why not do a full used oil analysis with TBN and oxidation and let the numbers be an indicator?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What does a used oil analysis say? You're willing to waste a ton of money by halving the OCI, why not do a full used oil analysis with TBN and oxidation and let the numbers be an indicator?
It's not really cutting it half . The manual days 3,000 for sever 6,000 for normal.
My standard drive is 30miles a day about 8 stop lights with the rest being 40-55mph.
The oci for the first 120,000 were between 3,000 -4,500 and the engine did have varnish under the Vc. But isn't burning any oil.
I'm running Mobil super 5000 5w30
What does a used oil analysis say? You're willing to waste a ton of money by halving the OCI, why not do a full used oil analysis with TBN and oxidation and let the numbers be an indicator?
It's not really cutting it half . The manual days 3,000 for sever 6,000 for normal.
My standard drive is 30miles a day about 8 stop lights with the rest being 40-55mph.
The oci for the first 120,000 were between 3,000 -4,500 and the engine did have varnish under the Vc. But isn't burning any oil.
I'm running Mobil super 5000 5w30
Id do 5k miles and than change it. What have you been doing before?
Originally Posted By: ram_man
My standard drive is 30miles a day about 8 stop lights with the rest being 40-55mph.
Sounds like a pretty easy life for the engine. I'd lean towards the normal cycle (6K miles). Do a used oil analysis to verify.
My standard drive is 30miles a day about 8 stop lights with the rest being 40-55mph.
Sounds like a pretty easy life for the engine. I'd lean towards the normal cycle (6K miles). Do a used oil analysis to verify.
Mobil Super 5000 is a good conventional oil. With your driving habits, I would venture that it would do well for the full 5K. The OLM is only an indicator and should be treated as such. You can verify through used oil analysis and by looking at your filters and the oil when draining. Together they should help you determine whats good for your driving style.
I believe that the OLM in any GM engine is very accurate and will keep the engine running for much longer than most owners will ever keep the car. At the same time I also think that the notion of changing oil at 3000 miles is a waste. Pretty much any dino today can do the 5K pretty eaisly. If you go by the OM you can't go wrong. Its only in our heads that a suggested oci by the olm is "too long" When we see a number like 8-10'000 miles, its just too big to think of.
I would like to add that I would on most any other car go 5,000- 6000 on our Honda I got 7500 on penn plat. It get short tripped a lot. I just worry with these Saturn engines because they are so hard on oil and have a tendency to burn oil. that's why I was leaning toward very conservative. I guess in my mind I would rather be conservative and not clog up the oil rings.... if that makes sense.
I go OLM 50% or 6 months. Whichever comes first.
When I haunted SaturnFans.com when I had an Aura, I seem to recall the S-series guys being absolute fanatics about oil changes. Something about the engine design depends on oil for proper function (besides general lubrication) and neglecting oil changes was a sure way to kill one.
Might want to check over there.
Might want to check over there.
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
You keep saying that the engine is hard on oil... What makes you think that?
'
they just are its general Saturn knowledge I guess.
the timing chain is very oil picky. and the rings coke up very easily and get stuck if dirty oil is present to long
You keep saying that the engine is hard on oil... What makes you think that?
'
they just are its general Saturn knowledge I guess.
the timing chain is very oil picky. and the rings coke up very easily and get stuck if dirty oil is present to long
Originally Posted By: strat81
When I haunted SaturnFans.com when I had an Aura, I seem to recall the S-series guys being absolute fanatics about oil changes. Something about the engine design depends on oil for proper function (besides general lubrication) and neglecting oil changes was a sure way to kill one.
Might want to check over there.
I know the timing chains are very picky. I don't know of anything else.
btw I really like your signature at the bottom!
When I haunted SaturnFans.com when I had an Aura, I seem to recall the S-series guys being absolute fanatics about oil changes. Something about the engine design depends on oil for proper function (besides general lubrication) and neglecting oil changes was a sure way to kill one.
Might want to check over there.
I know the timing chains are very picky. I don't know of anything else.
btw I really like your signature at the bottom!
I've yet to see a timing chain that's "picky" about oil. On occasion, a poor tensioner design, but that's it. Rings coking from dirty oil? By dirty oil, do you mean heavily oxidized oil? Use a quality lube at reasonable intervals (reasonable being longer than 3k, but not 20k or whatever most idiotic people do) and your car will be fine.
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Well on my car I don't know a percentage, I'm just supposed to wait till the little indicator lamp comes on.
My Sierra does not display a percentage for the OLM, it just displays a message on the Instrument Cluster when an oil change is due. However, my ScanGauge will display the % of oil life remaining. I expect that the ScanGauge will display percentages on your Saturn too.
I love the ScanGauge.
Well on my car I don't know a percentage, I'm just supposed to wait till the little indicator lamp comes on.
My Sierra does not display a percentage for the OLM, it just displays a message on the Instrument Cluster when an oil change is due. However, my ScanGauge will display the % of oil life remaining. I expect that the ScanGauge will display percentages on your Saturn too.
I love the ScanGauge.
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