Oil changes.... how often?

[anticubicle]

I change mine every 5K with Mobil 1 Synthetic and Motorcraft filter. That happens about every 2 months for me.

Same here

 

[kooldawg6]

I guess under these circumstances. I assumed, that perhaps it might be safe to change my oil, every 12 months..instead of every 6

I see your point, but then again an extra $30 +/- a year wouldn't stop me from doing it every 6 months.

 

[GusinCA]

You can go much longer.
I have a friend of mine that works for Porsche in Germany.
I owned a 2000 GT vert for 8 years. Changed the oil every 10,000 miles with full synthetic.
Sent him an oil sample (a mutual friend was out here on business, took a sample back in his suitcase) and he had it analyzed. The oil was still in perfect shape.
Just before selling the car (with 88,000 miles on it), I had the engine checked by my mechanic and the buyer's mechanic, compression on all cylinders was perfect. Smog check was passed with all measurements way, way below required levels.
The point is, with fully synthetic oil and the (relatively) slow moving and underworked 4.6 V8, you do not need to change the oil as often as is recommended.
Now, if you really push the engine hard, or drive in dusty conditions, then yes, by all means change it more often.
Some fancy European cars even have an on board oil status monitor, and these computers can let the car go for far more than 10,000 miles if driven gently, with smaller and higher revving motors.
But definitely ONLY with full synthetic oil. Doing this with normal oil is suicide...

 

[Art161]

I forgot to mention, that I change my oil. just before putting it away for the winter. Once it's in storage, I neither run or start the engine. Until the following spring, usually around mid April.

If I'm not mistaken. Fresh oil normally doesn't accumulate water, acid or become dirty from just sitting in the oil pan. IMHO it's really no different, when compared to oil sitting on the shelf for 6-12 months or longer.

I guess under these circumstances. I assumed, that perhaps it might be safe to change my oil, every 12 months..instead of every 6

My recommendations--You need to change the oil right before you store the car in order to get rid of the contaminants that have accumulated from driving. For storage, just use dino oil and a regular oil filter. While engine oil is not hygroscopic, condensation can still accumulate in the oil pan while the car is sitting. Therefore, you need to drain the oil and change the oil filter when you remove it from storage and start driving it. If you really think you need synthetic oil and a deluxe oil filter, then go for it when you start driving again. It's not the oil that is the problem; it's what gets mixed in with the oil (such as condensation) that can cause a problem. Having oil in an oil pan is not the same as having the oil in a closed container.

 

[red05bullitgt]

I see your point, but then again an extra $30 +/- a year wouldn't stop me from doing it every 6 months.

After reading over your post. It didn't take long to realize, that your absolutely right.

For what's an extra $30.00, when compared to a $27,000.00 car. It's priceless

 

[red05bullitgt]

My recommendations--You need to change the oil right before you store the car in order to get rid of the contaminants that have accumulated from driving. For storage, just use dino oil and a regular oil filter. While engine oil is not hygroscopic, condensation can still accumulate in the oil pan while the car is sitting. Therefore, you need to drain the oil and change the oil filter when you remove it from storage and start driving it. If you really think you need synthetic oil and a deluxe oil filter, then go for it when you start driving again. It's not the oil that is the problem; it's what gets mixed in with the oil (such as condensation) that can cause a problem. Having oil in an oil pan is not the same as having the oil in a closed container.

After reading over your posts. Both you and Kooldawg6, are absolutely 100% right on the money.

Needless to say. I've decided to follow both your recommendations.

As I'll be changing my oil, every 6 months. Along with using conventional oil, while in storage. For there's really no need to spend additional money on synthetic oil, that's just going to sit in the pan anyhow.

 

[GusinCA]

Don't forget, oil intervals suggested by dealers and lube shops are there in large part to make them money by bringing you into the shop regularly.

There are many research articles out there about synthetic oils and their abilities to last 3x longer than regular oil.

 

[red05bullitgt]

Under normal driving/mileage conditions. I totally agree that synthetic oils, and their abilities are able to last 3x longer than regular oil.

However on the other hand. when oil just sits in the pan, during 3-4 month storage periods.

Art definitely brings up some very important factors, concerning condensation and contamination.

If you do not put much mileage on the car, you are probably accumulating water, acid, and other nasty things in the oil. Synthetic oil is no better than dino oil when it comes to oil change intervals, for low mileage drivers.

My recommendations--You need to change the oil right before you store the car in order to get rid of the contaminants that have accumulated from driving. For storage, just use dino oil and a regular oil filter. While engine oil is not hygroscopic, condensation can still accumulate in the oil pan while the car is sitting. Therefore, you need to drain the oil and change the oil filter when you remove it from storage and start driving it.

It's not the oil that is the problem; it's what gets mixed in with the oil (such as condensation) that can cause a problem. Having oil in an oil pan is not the same as having the oil in a closed container.