So Europeans are lazy and neglectful when it comes to oil changes, and Americans are brainwashed and timid. Hmmm, lessor of two evils.
Who says run 3k -5k on dino?
- Thread starter Ray H
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I agree with RayH - the oil would thin, if anything, at that nominal amount of miles on it.
Hominid7, I understand your point, and no one ever said that changing your oil at 3K is going to do any harm (at least I don't THINK anyone ever said that
)! All I'm saying is that for most driving conditions using good, SM-rated oils, it's just overkill. Hey, I've been guilty of it for all my life...until now. Now I've seen the light. I still plan on doing some UOA's (as Reagan said, "Trust, but verify!") I don't think everyone should stretch it to 6K, but I think everyone should at least *check to see* if they can.
I'm pretty sure that with excellent oils, good engines, and standard/good driving conditions, I'll be protecting my engine very well (as good as 3K) PLUS saving a few benjamins.
I'm pretty sure that with excellent oils, good engines, and standard/good driving conditions, I'll be protecting my engine very well (as good as 3K) PLUS saving a few benjamins.
Yes, my friend, we ALL apparently have issues...quote:
Originally posted by surfstar:
So Europeans are lazy and neglectful when it comes to oil changes, and Americans are brainwashed and timid. Hmmm, lessor of two evils.
I'd agree with that!
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Here's where we get into the subjective gray area. Some refer to factory recommendations as "extended drains" ..when they're only extended from that person's assumed baseline.
For me, extended drains are those that exceed the manufacturers recommendations when qualified by their conditional limitations. For almost every swinging driver out there, in the absence of mechanical/design issues or truly severe duty, 6 months works for everyone. If the mileage is longer ...they can use a synth.
For example, I went 9k/13 months (obviously short trip usage) on one of my rides. Well beyond either factory time/mileage recommendation. The Fe was a little high, as was the fuel dilution ...but the oil was 100% solid. I don't have the "after corrective action(s)" testing done yet ..but there's no need for me to fret over it in terms of long term wear.
Keep in mind that most domestically designed engines (non-Euro) typically spec only for dino oil of no distinction beyond the current spec (SM ..whatever). They plan for the masses for availability and consumer habits. Hence there's no distinction between synth ..dino ..Group II, Group II+, Group III, IV, blends ..etc.
I'll concede to the point that I've never heard of an engine failure due to too many oil changes.
Yes but... excessive oil changes do contribute to early drain plug thread and gasket failures
They're part of the engine, aren't they?
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Yes!! I was actually going to add that the only downside would be the unlikely event of a miscue on the oil change just due to the number of service "events". Sorta like air travel. It's considered the safest transportation method ..but when there is a screw up ..the event is usually catastophic in magnetude. In that case ..the mileage between events doesn't mean much either ..when it's YOU ..it's 100%
You are both right about frequent oil changes upping the chances of something going wrong. However the only 2 events i've had over the years were both at (you guessed it) quick lube places.
One was the guy not putting the filter on all the way. He didn't cross thread it, he just didn't even tighten it till it contacted the base. Perhpas he was having an off day. At any rate oil spewed everywhere.
Second was a guy cross-threading the drain plug. Unfortunatly (again you guessed it) he didn't bother to tell anyone and about a month later i discovered an oil leak at the plug, investigated, and ended up having to replace the pan. Not a big expense, but nevertheless it irritated me.
I'm guessing most of us here have spent enough time in and around our cars not to do something like that. Then again, we all have bad days
One was the guy not putting the filter on all the way. He didn't cross thread it, he just didn't even tighten it till it contacted the base. Perhpas he was having an off day. At any rate oil spewed everywhere.
Second was a guy cross-threading the drain plug. Unfortunatly (again you guessed it) he didn't bother to tell anyone and about a month later i discovered an oil leak at the plug, investigated, and ended up having to replace the pan. Not a big expense, but nevertheless it irritated me.
I'm guessing most of us here have spent enough time in and around our cars not to do something like that. Then again, we all have bad days
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