Synthetic OCI

[KPC]

So if I were to switch over to M1 or PP, along with a napa gold filter, would this be ok for running 7500 miles on an oil change, and then sending it out to blackstone for testing.

I really would like to try running at least 7500 miles then sending it out for testing.

It seems that with so many people running 7500 miles on a regular basis, that for me to try it for that long and then sending out for a test, wouldn't really hurt the engine.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
If I go with the OLM, what do you mean by how much of a tolerance % I can tolerate?


Under your former format, you undercut the severe duty recommendation with a premier oil, while doing the least stressful service that one could have. That suggests that you want to "exceed the need" with some substantial margin.

The way the OLM will interpret your service, I doubt that it will advise changing it much before 10,000 miles. It may be up to 12,000 miles.

I just don't think that you're ready to change habits that radically all at once.

That's why I say follow the OLM and then surrender to the uncertainty of trusting it. At least then it will contour to a given level of fatigue on the oil and filter.

Personally, I'd follow the OLM and instead cushion any anxiety with a more robust oil if the mileage proved to be higher than I liked.

But that's me. I sell extended drain oils.

 

[KPC]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan

I just don't think that you're ready to change habits that radically all at once.


I understand where you may see that, but it wasn't that I was being overly cautious.

Frankly, I didn't know that you could run a synthetic longer just because it was synthetic.

I thought that you change oils every 3k, so I did it at 2,500 just incase the vehicle happened to go over by a few hundred, that I was still below the 3k limit.

Then I ran synthetic, because all that advertising I see all the time, makes it look better. And I figured that knowing back in 01 that i was keeping this vehicle for a long time with alot of miles (over 200k seems like a lot compared to many people who trade in every 3-4 years with only like 50k on the odo)

So in my mind, 3k was standard practice for changing oil, I knocked it down by 500 just to be on the safe side, and went with a synthetic hoping it would cause less wear over the life of the engine.

If you see it that way, I don't look as crazy overly cautious as some of you make me appear (lol)

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
If you see it that way, I don't look as crazy overly cautious as some of you make me appear (lol)



Yeah. You really have to be an oil geek to keep up with the evolutions in lubrication. Most people, even mechanics, learn oil once. It may have been 20-30 years ago. It's not like learning how a camshaft works.

Well, okay then, follow your OLM and be happy! I would recommend at least one oil analysis at some point. This will just determine if anything is wrong with your engine (coolant/air filtration/etc.) and will also allow you to confirm your OLM's accuracy for the highly coveted "peace of mind" quotient that appears to be a necessity.

 

[KPC]

So let me get this right, the OLM adjusts depending on driving conditions, possibly even taking into consideration air temperatures, engine operating temperatures, throttle position, rpm's etc. to factor when the oil should be changed.

this vehicle isn't going to see any different driving conditions except for summer vs winter. Besides that, it drives back and forth, the exact same highway, 5 days out of the week around the year.

Call me old fashioned, but I would rather plan a set mileage to change the oil, rather than waiting for the service light to come on, without prior notice.

I'm pretty sure my mind is made up, that I'm going to try a napa gold filter and m1 or pp and after 7500 miles, send it out to blackstone.

originally, my whole point for starting this thread, was because I was hoping to be able to extend OCI's.

I figure this:

originally I was changing oil every 2.5k to the tune of about $3,000 dollars over the life of the vehicle.

If I can extend it to at least 5k miles on OCI, I knock the oil budget in 1/2.

If I can take OCI to 7500, that is even more money saved.

And it seems like the only way to safely know how far is ok to push teh oil is the lab test.

If blackstone says that 7500 is not hurting the engine, and I can go to 10k, I'm for it. Just as long as it isn't hurting the engine.

It isn't the piece of mind of changing it at 2.5k, i just thought that was standard practice to change at about 3k so as I said before, I knocked off 500 miles just to give a little cushion.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: KPC

It isn't the piece of mind of changing it at 2.5k, i just thought that was standard practice to change at about 3k so as I said before, I knocked off 500 miles just to give a little cushion.


Most people who really care about their cars were born into the 3000 mile oil change. That includes just about every member on here.

Try the 7500 for your first time out.

If you live near a Pep Boys go get the Mobil 1 Extended Performance for $29.95 with the Mobil 1 filter included. All the other stores charge extra for EP when it's on sale. Pennzoil Platinum won't hold up as long as Mobil 1 Extended Performance. I'm not a brand loyalist. I'm a realist. I'm also honest. That is to say that I just as easily would have claimed the reverse if it were true.

Just trying to keep it real and give you the best advice.

It's a fun website and there are quite a nice bunch of folks on here. Before long you'll be doing 15,000 mile OCI's and complaining that Mobil 1 has less PAO in it than non-alcoholic beer. And that's the reason most of us are here.

Good luck!

 

[RafRol]

KPC,

Why not try trusting the OLM for the first round and adjust from there?

Sounds like the Rainier is going to be driven fairly consistently day-in and day-out. So if the OLM will light up at 9K (as an example), you can be somewhat assured that it will light up every 9k miles. Then plan on having an 8K OCI to play it safe.

As others have mentioned, make sure you get a high quality extended life filter with your oil, like Mobil 1, Royal Purple, or even the new Fram Xtended Guard. With the Rainier, GM more than likely requires that the oil meets their GM6094M specifications; most conventional oils easily meet those specs, while most synthetics easily exceeds those specs. Consider a 0w30 for good start-up performance (very important!), especially during those cold Pennsylvania winters.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
So let me get this right, the OLM adjusts depending on driving conditions, possibly even taking into consideration air temperatures, engine operating temperatures, throttle position, rpm's etc. to factor when the oil should be changed.


Yes. About the only thing it cannot account for is dusty conditions. There's no sensor for that.

Quote:
Call me old fashioned, but I would rather plan a set mileage to change the oil, rather than waiting for the service light to come on, without prior notice.


I think you should see a % left (probably displayed on the trip odo with some body language). Some give 500 miles notice when they don't give you a count down.

..but now we're back to you simply choosing 2, 3, or 4 service points in a given year (remember, as I suggested, way back up the thread

).

You're conditioned to fixed mileage, but that will equate out to fixed time due to the routine service. So, for continuity, just go 3, 4, or 6 months.


Here's what you do. Ignore the OLM for ..hmmm..until it expires. Do as many oil changes as you please, just leave the OLM alone after it's reset with your first oil change. Just ignore the thing until it expires. Note the mileage, note the month. Now I suspect that your frequency will be several months and/or several thousand miles sooner than the time it either hits a 10% range ..or lights up (no % available).

There are times where a thread like this takes a bit to go full circle.

 

[rdtahoe]

I would look at these 2 tests run on oil and filters and then decide on my own. Seem to have been conducted by decent guys, looking for answers.

I read them, and decided to extend my OCI to 5K miles or 1 year using M1, which I had been using anyway. I drive just under 5K mi per year, so that works for me. I use Puralotr Pure One filters (get them for 4.75 ea at Amazon).

Most of my driving is local and short duration, that's why I chose 5K mi max.


http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html

http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/oilfilters/reference.html

 

[Durango]

KPC,

Your getting way into this OLM too far. I use my OLM religiously in my 08' Impala SS and think it's wonderful!!!!!! I make sure I use a good synthetic oil ( Mobil 1 ) and OEM filter and have fun driving my car until my next oil change/service which is 6K. I go strictly by my OLM.

Durango

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: Durango

KPC,

Your getting way into this OLM too far. I use my OLM religiously in my 08' Impala SS and think it's wonderful!!!!!! I make sure I use a good synthetic oil ( Mobil 1 ) and OEM filter and have fun driving my car until my next oil change/service which is 6K. I go strictly by my OLM.

Durango


Your OLM usually goes off at 6000 miles?

Can I ask is it spec'd for synthetic from the factory, which engine and what the sump capacity is?

Also the highway/city ratio?

Thanks