Strategy to Compare Oils with UOA's

[DFrost]

I'd like to compare a few oils in my nearly new DD, an Optima SX (2.0T, GDI) using used oil analysis as well as average mpg and any other BITOG suggestions for data. No OP gauge here, unfortunately. Since I'm at the front end of the 100K warranty, I'll be using the Kia-spec'd 5K oci and oils: 5w30 and 5W-40, may try Mobil 1 0W-40 at some point, all synthetics. I'll pull the used oil analysis samples at the oci.

Would it be more effective to do several oci's/used oil analysis with one oil before switching oils, or change oil type/weight with each oci?

I'm in Pacific NW with its moderate temps. Would it make sense to go a full year (probably three oci's) before switching oils to even out weather and local fuel mix variations?

Would there be any benefit from intermediate used oil analysis if I'm not trying to stretch oci?

Should I post this question in the used oil analysis forum, as well as the results when I get them?

I've got Mobil 1 5w30 in there now (first change at 3K after the FF), coming up to be changed in a few months at 8K. No idea yet if break-in contaminants are done.

 

[JOD]

-yeah, I think your best bet for trending would be to run the oil over a few OCI's, since the add-pack from prior fill can have an effect

-I don't think our temps make enough of a difference for it to really matter much, and that was confirmed when I pulled a bunch of used oil analysis on my V70R.

-I'd only sample at the end of the run since you're only doing 5K. Whatever you use will probably still be suitable for use when you dump it.

-don't know how hard this particular engine is on oil, but another to consider would be AMSOIL Signature Series 0w30, which seemed to hold up pretty well in a challenging DI environment. Depending on your driving habits, 5K may actually be pretty hard on the oil.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: DFrost
Would it be more effective to do several oci's/used oil analysis with one oil before switching oils, or change oil type/weight with each oci?

You definitely want several used oil analysis over several changes with one oil before moving to the next.


Originally Posted By: DFrost
I'm in Pacific NW with its moderate temps. Would it make sense to go a full year (probably three oci's) before switching oils to even out weather and local fuel mix variations?

Yes.


Originally Posted By: DFrost
Would there be any benefit from intermediate used oil analysis if I'm not trying to stretch oci?

If you're not stretching your OCIs, the value of a used oil analysis would be in keeping tabs on your engine's condition and state of tune. Whether a used oil analysis is useful for that purpose depends on what kind of used oil analysis it is.

If it's a ~$20 used oil analysis from a lab that uses ICP spectroscopy and doesn't include a lot of tests, I'd say it's not worth it because it wouldn't give you the kind of information you would need. If it's from a lab that uses a rotrode method instead of ICP and/or has a more complete set of tests, that's another story; it will be more expensive so it's harder to say whether you'd get your money's worth (especially for a new car with top quality oil and a conservative OCI), but it would be vastly more informative.


Originally Posted By: DFrost
Should I post this question in the used oil analysis forum, as well as the results when I get them?

Ask a moderator to move it there, IMO.

Yes, post your results there if you decide to go ahead.

 

[merdog]

DFrost:
Im in the NW area. Im doing 5k with Pennzoil Conventional 5w20 in my caravan and the Penn is working great.... I would suggest Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra in the correct weight and a napa gold filter once you get finished breaking in your Optima. Good Luck Rick