Well this was a costly experiment! I planned on just doing 2-3 UOAs to verify the OLM was accurate (it wasn't) but I ended up doing an additional 3 to see if I could track how far I could go before flashpoint dropped out of spec. Unfortunately I wasn't able to come up with a clear conclusion, but based on these 6 samples, I'll be doing 7,500-8k mile OCIs.
This winter was a brutally cold one for us. I think the colder temps, combined with higher idle times, more stop/go and short trips is what caused the increase in Iron. Typically we don't idle as much and we take longer weekend trips, we've cut down considerably on these trips which is what has kept the mileage down. Also, just before changing, the wife went on a 6 mile trip which I think contributed to the fuel dilution as well. Unlike the other OCIs, this one didn't require a top off of any kind. Technically the others didn't require one either as I was only down 1/2 quart or less, but with Maxlife in the sump, I didn't lose any noticeable amount from the dipstick.
I'm also adding a picture of the jug I used. I bought it when Valvoline was in the middle of re-imaging/re-marketing so I'm not entirely sure if this is Maxlife or a SynPower/MaxLife hybrid. If I recall I bought this around the same time that Daily Protection was on the shelves.
OCI history is as follows:
0 - 1,169 - Factory Fill
1,169 - 10,120 - Mag1 0w20
10,120 - 19,949 - Mobil Super Syn 0w20
19,949 - 30,031 - Mobil 1 EP 0w20
30,031 - 39,486 - SynPower 0w20
39,486 - 47,714 - SynPower 0w20
47,714 - 54,782 - Synthetic MaxLife 0w20
54,782 - Present - Citgo Supergard Synthetic 5w30
This winter was a brutally cold one for us. I think the colder temps, combined with higher idle times, more stop/go and short trips is what caused the increase in Iron. Typically we don't idle as much and we take longer weekend trips, we've cut down considerably on these trips which is what has kept the mileage down. Also, just before changing, the wife went on a 6 mile trip which I think contributed to the fuel dilution as well. Unlike the other OCIs, this one didn't require a top off of any kind. Technically the others didn't require one either as I was only down 1/2 quart or less, but with Maxlife in the sump, I didn't lose any noticeable amount from the dipstick.
I'm also adding a picture of the jug I used. I bought it when Valvoline was in the middle of re-imaging/re-marketing so I'm not entirely sure if this is Maxlife or a SynPower/MaxLife hybrid. If I recall I bought this around the same time that Daily Protection was on the shelves.
OCI history is as follows:
0 - 1,169 - Factory Fill
1,169 - 10,120 - Mag1 0w20
10,120 - 19,949 - Mobil Super Syn 0w20
19,949 - 30,031 - Mobil 1 EP 0w20
30,031 - 39,486 - SynPower 0w20
39,486 - 47,714 - SynPower 0w20
47,714 - 54,782 - Synthetic MaxLife 0w20
54,782 - Present - Citgo Supergard Synthetic 5w30