I put 30,000 miles a year on my 2000 chevy 2500. I am looking to run my oil 10,000 but I also want to increase the longevity of the engine. If I run synthetic (like mobil1 or rotella T) and change oil every 10,000 would that cause my engine to wear less than if I used regular petroleum oil and changed every 3000? Does using good synthetics really increase the life of the engine?
worth it to run synthetic
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This is not exactly the situation that I have much experience with, but I would suggest going with a good synthetic and using a bypass system to go well beyond 10kmi. From what I've read on this board you could do a yearly change on that truck with no issues, oil analysis would be a neccessity of course.
With that mileage, I assume you do a lot of very long trips?? Do you do a lot of heavy towing? What does your GM oil-life monitor tell you?
I would say not necessarily to both your questions.
I would be inclined to go with a good syn and use the GM monitor, unless you are willing to uoa.
I would not assume 10K without at least one or two uoa's.
I would say not necessarily to both your questions.
I would be inclined to go with a good syn and use the GM monitor, unless you are willing to uoa.
I would not assume 10K without at least one or two uoa's.
I for one wouldn't trust the oil monitor. It's all based on engine speeds, idle amount, temperature, etc. etc. and not any form of actual oil analysis. For M1, 10K would probably be OK. But I'd at least do one UOA with TBN around 7.5K just to see how the oil/engine relationship is going. I'm running M1 on my F150 for 5K and it's holding up rather nicely. I like the way the synthetics keep the engine cleaner. I've used that stuff on the wifes Honda after the initial factory oil fill break-in period and looking through the oil fill, the heads are just as clean as the day we bought it, it is an 02 with 63K miles on it. Like you, a lot of driving in the hot southern summers. There are benefits galore going with synthetics but it all comes down to this....are you willing to pay for it? Syn's are more expensive but you can offset that by running it longer. But, it will cost you more regardless. For me, especially my F150 and the Honda, I'm planning on keeping them until the tires fall off, so it's worth it personally.
[ July 12, 2004, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Schmoe ]
[ July 12, 2004, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Schmoe ]
Many (not all) synthetics can achieve their multi-grade ratings with no viscosity improvers. As the VIs breakdown through shearing you get residues in the motor and the oil thins out of grade. Synthetics have less volatility so you get less varnish and oil burning. These things add up to handling extended OCIs better.
Example: Mobil 1 10w-30. Rotella T Syn does have VI improvers.
Example: Mobil 1 10w-30. Rotella T Syn does have VI improvers.
Would you mind sharing which multigrade synthetics have no VI improvers?
As I keep using Mobil 1 10W30 in the summer instead of trying GC ...
[ July 12, 2004, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: MMX ]
Rotella T synthetic is a 5W-40 and may have some VII, but they are not as problematic as they once were and not so prone to breakdown.
M1 10-30 has none and it would not be an issue with GC either.
VII breaking down with either GC or M1 in these grades is a none issue, imho.
Thanks !
I have been running Mobil1 for over 3 years now so I am willing to pay for it. I was just wondering if I am helping my engine or hurting it.. I don't tow a lot, just haul my 4 wheeler around and other various things for my job. I do idle a lot in hot weather (job related) though. probably half of that mileage is highway and half is city. I live in very hilly country also. And I tend to have a lead foot...
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