Six Months Minimum oil change interval on Synthetic Oil ?

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ChrisD46

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For the average gas engine vehicle owner with mixed driving conduits in a well maintained vehicle - shouldn’t a name brand synthetic oil last in service six months minimum as long as miles driven do not exceed 4K to 5K miles ? I bring this up as twice now Valvoline has responded with 120 days (4 months) length of time between oil changes for it’s synthetic oils while Mobil and others claim 1 year in service as long as mikes do not exceed vehicle oil change interval guidelines for oil mileage. What I derive from this is Valvoline oil base stocks are just average while add packs use high quality ingredients. If in a clean engine and oil change interval mileage is below 5K miles in service - if I’m given the choice between a 1 year oil versus a 4 month oil - then I’m using the 1 year oil every time. Valvoline Restore and Protect oil as an example is very good at cleaning but after the cleaning regiment is completed then I’m moving on to another oil as my oil change intervals are always 6 months / 4K to 5K miles. * I’m just not going to stay with an oil that needs to be changed every 4 months as I use a 6 month oil change interval and usually hit the 6 month mark before I hit the oil change interval mileage (oil change interval = 6 month / 4K to 5K miles).
My next oil to buy after my five - 5 qrt jugs of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 are gone will be either Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 or Mobil 1 Advanced Clean 5W30 - which ever is better for my Hyundai GDI non-turbo engine staying with my above current oil change interval.
 
My understanding is Valvoline recommends following the manufacturer's service interval, whether it be an OLM, time, or mileage based.

You mention Valvoline responded. Was this an email between them and you? Where any specific conditions given for them to base the 120 days' intervals?
 
Well, some come here often to say Valvoline the lube maker - and Valvoline the quick changer are separate business units - but it’s hard to project that they both don’t benefit from more frequent oil changes. I bet thousands of drivers see it as one …
 
Yes, there is a difference between what Valvoline oil change stores say and what Valvoline, the manufacturer says is appropriate.
 
I think you are REALLY over thinking this one. Who at Valvoline told you this, a Valvoline quick change place or their phone customer service? If it is phone customer service I would ask to speak to the tech dept, because I find 4 months an absurd time frame. Do you actually think Valvoline would defy longevity of their oils? It makes zero sense. I am far from knowing what other know here as we have industry experts here that I hope will chime in. I just don't see the logic in "simple time based oil changing intervals", that is lacking any form of "in use data". I see the logic in mileage based and hour based. Simple time based is moot to me. As far as you putting out Valvoline being somehow sub standard as a whole with base oils, common sense says a BIG NO.

Look at the post above mine here, Ka9mnx 1993 F150 3 year oil change interval at 1,500 miles makes 100% sense to me. Granted it is an older truck and not a 2020ish sitting for that time with a lot higher value to oil change cost ratio. All I would be worried about as far as time there would be acid amount on crank/rod/cam bearings. At that small level, I would rely on the oil to defeat the acids. I could be all wrong, but I think you are way over thinking this. Valvoline Restore and Protect can MORE then handle anything you will throw at it in your scenario and your car group. It is Valvoline best oil with the exception of their Euro speced oils. We see that with top level wear numbers coming from that oil. Until Mobil comes up with a certifiable oil to compete with Valvoline Restore and Protect (Valvoline Restore and Protect) I myself say every Hyundai/Kia should be on Valvoline Restore and Protect as Hyundai/Kia are notorious ring jammers by design, and a ton of their engines where scraped for JUST jammed rings. I account a good chunk can make it without Valvoline Restore and Protect and not get jammed rings, Hyundai/Kia have those outliers. Why screw around with such a problematic car band and find out later you should of just ran Valvoline Restore and Protect, Valvolines best oil as they say and worry about some else.
 
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4-6,000 miles or 6 months is a benchmark and a sweet spot for modern synthetics and any filter of choice. A very overthought subject these days the only time this may need to be tweaked closer to the 4,000 mile interval are heavy fuel dilutor GDI's.
 
DCDG said:
4-6,000 miles or 6 months is a benchmark and a sweet spot for modern synthetics and any filter of choice. A very overthought subject these days the only time this may need to be tweaked closer to the 4,000 mile interval are heavy fuel dilutor GDI's.
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What happens to the oil at 6 month or even 8 months? Your mileage figure makes sense. But your arbitrary simple month time says and means nothing. Especially when under 1 year. If never used say in a classic car that may sit, why can't you use it say up to 2 years. Oil doesn't degrade just sitting in a oil pan. Some of the add pack may fall out, but it does the same in a 2 year old jug of oil, that technically is good for 5 to 7 years.
 
Odd... every time I have emailed Valvoline, they always have replied to me stating to follow my vehicle manufacturer's recommended oil change interval. I believe they do this for liability reasons.

I have never heard of Valvoline, or any other oil company, stating to change their product at 4 months with no mention of milage or usage.
 
Mainia said:
What happens to the oil at 6 month or even 8 months? Your mileage figure makes sense. But your arbitrary simple month time says and means nothing. Especially when under 1 year. If never used say in a classic car that may sit, why can't you use it say up to 2 years. Oil doesn't degrade just sitting in a oil pan. Some of the add pack may fall out, but it does the same in a 2 year old jug of oil, that technically is good for 5 to 7 years.
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My example is given towards a daily driven vehicle. A factory sealed jug kept and stored of properly is not the same as oil that sees occasional use in a toy weekend vehicle. Many variables change that quite a bit. Can the oil in a joy rider go a year maybe probably? Again this all goes by variables Is it driven easy, does the oil temps get up to burn off condensation, is this vehicle drove hard or tracked, is it turbo?
 
From the Valvoline website just now, Restore & Protect page:
How often should I use Restore & Protect™?

When it comes to Restore & Protect™, consistency is key. Use Restore & Protect™ consistently as recommended by your vehicle's manufaturer to get the best results.

So, if your owner's manual recommends 10K oil change intervals, that is what Valvoline recommends, and obviously they are confident it will hold up with no problem. Personally. I've had oil analysis performed on Valvoline Restore and Protect at 5K and it was still good, and it was recommended that I run it for another 1K and have it analyzed again. I did, but changed it anyway at 6K, I probably could have gone longer.
 
ChrisD46 said:
I’m just not going to stay with an oil that needs to be changed every 4 months as I use a 6 month oil change interval and usually hit the 6 month mark before I hit the oil change interval mileage (oil change interval = 6 month / 4K to 5K miles).
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Valvoline doesn't require a 4-month oci. To get the benefit of the cleaning effect, Valvoline says a minimum 4000-mile oci, four times in a row. That adds up to 16,000 miles of continuous use before you may notice a "difference" in the look from when you started using it. You don't have to pour the Valvoline Restore and Protect out at 4000 miles, that is just the minimum milage they recommend for 4 consecutive changes to see a benefit. There isn't a time limit on that. I wouldn't do it, but if your owner's manual allows 10,000 mile/1 year oil change intervals, Valvoline Restore and Protect can handle it. You can run Valvoline Restore and Protect in brand new engines forever; Valvoline considers it to be their best gasoline engine oil. The cleaning and deposit removal is just a side effect of using it.
 
rstsco said:
My understanding is Valvoline recommends following the manufacturer's service interval, whether it be an OLM, time, or mileage based.

You mention Valvoline responded. Was this an email between them and you? Where any specific conditions given for them to base the 120 days' intervals?
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In another post from a different poster - Valvoline said 120 days . *I would certainly like to think Valvoline Restore and Protect could go 180 days with no issues . A UOA with TBN measured would settle the issue as I keep mileage and date records of all oil changes .
 
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I think it depends on how many short trips you do, if you drive 2-3 miles per day often, I would change oil every 6 month, but if on average trips are long and car fully warms up, once a year is fine
 
ChrisD46 said:
In another post from a different poster - Valvoline said 120 days . *I would certainly like to think Valvoline Restore and Protect could go 180 days with no issues . A UOA with TBN measured would settle the issue as I keep mileage and date records of all oil changes .
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Reminds me of Homer Simpson..."If it's on TV it's got to be true!"

TBN values don't determine oil life in modern times with DI engines.
 
Depends on the engine for me.

Ex: the Hyundai 1.8L lean more towards 6 months and the Honda 2.4L lean more towards 12 months. Both are regularly short tripped.

I’m not concerned about “wasting” oil. The oil is there to serve the engine. Not the other way around.
 
I do 6 months or 5K on 2 of my rides. I do 6 months or 3k on my wife’s car. She has an 8 mile commute to work.
 
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