Why are most synthetic OCIs at 6k miles or less?

[dkryan]

I don't believe this post is off-topic (at least not too much).

In perusing the UOAs here, I've noticed that A LOT of the synthetic users are changing their oil at 6k miles or less. Not all, mind you. I've seen a few 7.5ks and 10ks, but realistically, there is a lot of "low" miles on most of this oil.

One could argue it is not a fair representation of ALL full synthetic user's OCI (and I'm not arguing full syn definitions here), as the UOA is performed to track trends, determine "safe" OCIs mileage wise or to identify problems.

Any thoughts?

 

[B00SS]

I can speak for mine. My UOA was at 5,630 miles because by then the oil and been in the engine for 13.5 months. I wanted to make 6,000 but it had been long enough.

 

[Steve S]

I have comented about that myself.

 

[dkryan]

BOOSS:

Yeah, I saw your UOA, though it wasn't necessarily yours that drove me to posing the question. I can't fault you one bit for changing it out. Your short trips probably call for fewer months.

 

[okiedokie]

Just because you are doing a UOA does not necessarily mean you are draining the oil.

 

[sky jumper]

'cuz we're all a bit O.C. about our OCIs and UOAs. how else can you explain the mere existence of a forum like this? seriously, try telling the average person on the street about an internet forum where people share & critique motor oil spectral analyses and they are likely to give you a funny look and back away a safe distance.

 

[dkryan]

"try telling the average person on the street about an internet forum where people share & critique motor oil spectral analyses and they are likely to give you a funny look and back away a safe distance."

They give me a funny look and run away no matter what I tell them!

 

[mgm13]

Mine (Toyota Avalon '06) is at 5,000 as demanded by warantee requirements. I still use synthetic due to 110 degree weather and my tendency to see the tach redline once in a while.

Big Mike

 

[Chris B.]

I wanted to go to 10,000+ miles on GC but it was shot at 5,000 miles every time with a TBN of 1.9. No way that oil is going another 5k! M1 was also shot in 5k miles in my other car. I don'y think these 10,000+ OCI are realistic for most drivers....be careful.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Quote:

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I wanted to go to 10,000+ miles on GC but it was shot at 5,000 miles every time with a TBN of 1.9. No way that oil is going another 5k! M1 was also shot in 5k miles in my other car. I don'y think these 10,000+ OCI are realistic for most drivers....be careful.

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Blackstone averages around 2-TBN lower result numbers than other UOA places. Have your GC tested somewhere else for TBN.

 

[ccs v2.0]

While being OT, has anyone done a "split sample" to separate labs (TBN, metals, etc.)?

 

[salesrep]

"I don'y think these 10,000+ OCI are realistic for most drivers....be careful."
Using a premium oil I conclude the opposite. Schaeffers and amsoil are 2 that have been doing it for decades.

 

[RedCellRacing]

Quote:

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Just because you are doing a UOA does not necessarily mean you are draining the oil.

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A very good point indeed. The last UOA I posted using AMSOIL TSO was around 6,200 miles. That oil is still in the vehicle and I will continue to run it for a few more months.

 

[f1forkvr6]

My wife drives short trips in her SAAB 9-5 2.3L LPT. These engines are notorious for sludge, fuel dilution, and shearing down most brands of oils. Would you push any oil past 5k miles under these circumstances?

 

[Doc8404]

Quote:

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My wife drives short trips in her SAAB 9-5 2.3L LPT. These engines are notorious for sludge, fuel dilution, and shearing down most brands of oils. Would you push any oil past 5k miles under these circumstances?

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I wouldn't at all...
how many miles?
If you stick with the same oil, why not get a UOA done?
also, why not run Auto-RX?
I'm going to do ONE cycle on both 2001's...it'll be a while before i do the truck, don't drive it that much and she has fresh Kendall GT-1 full synthetic....will switch to ST 5W-20 dino for the ARX.

 

[f1forkvr6]

Quote:

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Quote:

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My wife drives short trips in her SAAB 9-5 2.3L LPT. These engines are notorious for sludge, fuel dilution, and shearing down most brands of oils. Would you push any oil past 5k miles under these circumstances?

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I wouldn't at all...
how many miles?
If you stick with the same oil, why not get a UOA done?
also, why not run Auto-RX?
I'm going to do ONE cycle on both 2001's...it'll be a while before i do the truck, don't drive it that much and she has fresh Kendall GT-1 full synthetic....will switch to ST 5W-20 dino for the ARX.

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Been there, done that ... history is here: http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=0#Post845267

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I run 10k PP5w20 on my Civic. I do so because I belong to this board, and after I used to run Amsoil for 20k. And I shake after 10k runs.

 

[unDummy]

Because mileage is just ONE measurement. I use calender time. My vehicles are driven less then 10k a year each(3 cars). They all get at least one oil change a year.

Driving styles vary among owners, as does engine running time. Does anyone use an engine timer? My 250 hour run time is about 3k miles. My brothers 250 hour run time is 10k miles. One person's 3k is another persons 10k. Engine timers can be eye openers. Odometers belong with dinosaurs.

Some owners will do a UOA to determine if they can push the OCI some. I wouldn't be surprised if many of those
Some vehicles require certain OCIs to prevent hassles with warranty issues. Its cheaper to change the oil a few more times vs. hiring a lawyer.

And, oil changes, when done correctly, have never killed an engine. You can easily kill an engine with under maintenance.

 

[Cutehumor]

I bet if there was a huge 10k oci plus in the USA, we would have better built extended drain oils like in Europe

 

[Bill in Utah]

Quote:

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Just because you are doing a UOA does not necessarily mean you are draining the oil.

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Look at the UOAs posted here.

You'll see that most of them are 6k or less and they DID drain the oil.

Your correct, some just get a sample. Many many more (most) do the drain.

Take care, bill