Unwilling to accept the data, staying with 2-3k oil changes

[GON]

I change the oil my vehicles every 2-3k. The majority of the oil I use is Mobil or Shell/Pennzoil. All the oil I use is obtained at clearance prices, typically in the $1-$2 per quart price range.


My theory, likely erroneous is that changing the oil every 2-3k miles with an excellent oil, is a safer bet then changing the oil every 10k miles with an outstanding oil

Reading many oil analysis, it seems my theory is erroneous, but I am staying the course. One of my unvalidated reasons was my F350 with a 5.4 3 v, which did heavy towing nationwide, for 200k miles.

Never had the timing chain and related issues that everyone else had at less than half the miles I had, and many of the 5.4 3v owners never towed. I always believed that the very frequent oil changes mitigated the flaw in the cam phaser/timing chain issues.

 

[nomas]

So you're buying Mobil and Pennzoil for $1 - $2 a quart ? Well alrighty ...

 

[JavierH19]

In other threads its been discussed how early changes seemed to have prevented timing chain failures in chain failure prone engines so it's not unreasonable to change every 3k if one wants to play it safe. But in an OHV engine with a short and thick chain like a ram or chevy it's not an issue.

C

Post in thread 'Motor oil choices for optimum timing chain life'

Jul 3, 2021

The best solution for long life timing chain is avoid long OCIs, this more than anything else will help.

I can agree with that, I have a longtime customer with a 2007 Cadillac SRX with a early chain eating 3.6L.....Just about 300,000 on the original Timing Components & he is excessive borderline obsessive with oil changes.

• clinebarger

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[ripcord]

Our 5.4l 3V Expedition has 270k ish miles on ~5k changes. No internal work done or any valve train or timing set parts replaced. Lots of Chevron Supreme 5w-20 for the first half of it's life and on sale synthetic 5w-30 for the second half.

 

[DemoFly]

This is pretty common behavior these days. Do whatever gives you peace.

 

[GON]

So you're buying Mobil and Pennzoil for $1 - $2 a quart ? Well alrighty ...

Post in thread 'You know you're a real bitoger when...'

Nov 3, 2023

When you browse the oil aisle for clearance oils everytime you are at the store--- even though you have a five year plus stash....

• GON

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[Zee09]

It's a personal thing like toilet paper
Do what you do.....

 

[WylieCoyote]

I too am opting on the side of caution. Hyundai doesn't exactly have the best reputation for their engine longevity, so I'm going to try my luck with taking extra good care of mine to see how it turns out. Every 3K (started at 200, 1,000, then 3,000) the Forte will get the best of the Walmart synthetics (working my way through a case of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum right now) and Kia filters. If something happens to this engine, I have a clear conscience and more than enough documentation for warranty.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

used to do those 3K oil changes. But since going synthetic they run from 4900 miles to 7K. I've frankly noticed no difference. Currently 5K and once a year is working.

 

[GON]

So you're buying Mobil and Pennzoil for $1 - $2 a quart ? Well alrighty ...

Thread 'Pictures of a oil hoarder??? moving his stash across country'

Jun 19, 2021

Moving my stash across country. Attached are pictures of the move. I was able to load about 70 percent. The other 30 percent will go on the trailer in small, individual boxes.

Three layers, using a waterproof box 48x40 by I don't know how tall. The key to all of this was making a cardboard floor between layers. I may have some Pentosin leeching, the oil was bottled in Germany... not sure where the containers were made.

• GON
• Replies: 52
• Forum: General and Off Topic

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[supton]

I wish I had done that after I bought my Saturn... maybe it would have lasted longer before slurping oil? My VW was fine on 10k+. I stretched it out to 15k for a bit--but when I put on a bigger turbo I decided to go back to 10k. Didn't own the car long enough to know if it would be a problem, only had it for 11 years and 314k. Seemed to run pretty good at the end though, before I elected to sell for some reason (probably due to all the rust holes).

But a Ford 5.4, different story, and if you can get oil at $1/qt, why not do what makes you sleep at night. It's not like the 5k that I do today is that much different.

 

[ripcord]

It's a personal thing like toilet paper
Do what you do.....

So many jokes... must be strong!

 

[Blang]

Everyone's circumstances are different, but I've fallen into the habit of doing early spring and late fall oil changes... except for the Traverse..... I've heard enough about those engines that I'm not going to give it any excuses. I try not to let it go more than 3,000 miles. But with a lot highway miles I wouldn't be scared to run it to 5,000. I always use full synthetic.

 

[zeroptzero]

The head engineer for the Nissan GTR advocates 2000 mile oil changes for his car and all cars if you want to get maximum engine protection. I can't support or disprove his claim but that is it, there is a video out there with the statement they make.

 

[dbias]

Unless you’re really short tripping or tracking your vehicle, less than 5k miles on a quality full synthetic that meets manufacturer specifications is wasteful.

 

[BHopkins]

Hey, @GON there is quite a span between 2-3k and 10k oil changes. From what you have shared with us over the years, I suspect you just like to do oil changes. So keep doing what you like doing, and enjoy every moment of it.

 

[ndarkside93]

I too am opting on the side of caution. Hyundai doesn't exactly have the best reputation for their engine longevity, so I'm going to try my luck with taking extra good care of mine to see how it turns out. Every 3K (started at 200, 1,000, then 3,000) the Forte will get the best of the Walmart synthetics (working my way through a case of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum right now) and Kia filters. If something happens to this engine, I have a clear conscience and more than enough documentation for warranty.

The severe service interval, which most drivers meet, is only 3750 on the Hyundai 2.4L so you’re probably using the perfect amount of caution.

 

[Bullet]

My Tacoma is 18 years old and I've done oil changes when the 5K dash light comes on, but if I bought a new $50K+ vehicle I might do the 3-4K oil changes. You really never know what's going on in the ring groves or other areas. A lot of people are running Valvoline R&R to clean things up including me on the next oil change.

Possible those who had issues with those low tension ring engines might have did better with early oil changes, but we'll never really know.

 

[GrumpyCat]

The head engineer for the Nissan GTR advocates 2000 mile oil changes for his car and all cars if you want to get maximum engine protection. I can't support or disprove his claim but that is it, there is a video out there with the statement they make.

I will virtue signal and declare "If you don't change oil at least once every 1000 miles then you don't love your engine!" And one must spend at least $20/quart because, "You Get What You Pay For!"

 

[Bill7]

I change the oil my vehicles every 2-3k. The majority of the oil I use is Mobil or Shell/Pennzoil. All the oil I use is obtained at clearance prices, typically in the $1-$2 per quart price range.


My theory, likely erroneous is that changing the oil every 2-3k miles with an excellent oil, is a safer bet then changing the oil every 10k miles with an outstanding oil

Reading many oil analysis, it seems my theory is erroneous, but I am staying the course. One of my unvalidated reasons was my F350 with a 5.4 3 v, which did heavy towing nationwide, for 200k miles.

Never had the timing chain and related issues that everyone else had at less than half the miles I had, and many of the 5.4 3v owners never towed. I always believed that the very frequent oil changes mitigated the flaw in the cam phaser/timing chain issues.

Nice post. Thanks. How do you typically find the clearance sales?