Synthetic motor oil

8935 messages,  Last post on Jul 03, 2012 at 11:43 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Oil

#8906 of 8935 Re: Oil filters [rdub7] by ruking1

Jan 13, 2011 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 13, 2011 5:48 pm)
The oil filter called for for my vehicle (or the ones I have been using for 153,000 miles) is the MANN HU 726/2X.

#8907 of 8935 Re: Oil filters [rdub7] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 13, 2011 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 13, 2011 2:46 pm)
There are however, a few types of cars that are sensitive to filter brands. It's rare but it happens.

#8908 of 8935 Re: Oil filters [Mr_Shiftright] by ruking1

Jan 13, 2011 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2011 7:24 pm)
Yes and absolutely. Why? I really haven't a clue.
My take is IF that happens to be true in one's case : FLOW or roll with it, aka don't use the filter that doesn't seem to work.
 
That is true for oil also. I know for example Mobil One (synthetic oil) tends to run well in Toyota Landcruisers, Honda Civic's and Corvette Z06's. It certainly has been the utter trooper in Jetta TDI's.

#8909 of 8935 ignore time based OCI? by jeffyscott

Jan 14, 2011 (7:00 am)

Now that our Jetta that requires synthetic is out of warranty, I am thinking I can maybe ignore the time interval and change oil just based on mileage?
 
We have been changing oil every 12 months per the VW schedule. This was typically about 7000 miles. The mileage is not low due to very short trips, my wife's commute is about 12 miles and 20 minutes each way.
 
I don't want to do oil analyses, but I am wondering if I can feel pretty safe in going to an OCI of 10,000 miles with full synthetic even if that means going 18 months between oil changes?

#8910 of 8935 Re: ignore time based OCI? [jeffyscott] by ruking1

Jan 14, 2011 (8:51 am)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 14, 2011 7:00 am)
I would feel more than safe doing that (10,000 miles interval driven). As you probably heard me say (but might not agree with) even 10,000 miles OCI is over kill, given the correct oils.
 
Having said that, the (gasser) VW 1.8 T engine might be an interesting exception. VW just settled a CAS saying (I have read in passing and this is by far NOT the gospel) they would bear all expenses on documented OCI's and 50% for more sketchy paperwork, in sludge case issues. After repair, they agreed to another warranty, 10 years /100,000. They also will issue new OCI's. So some would see this as vindication to probably a long and frustrating scenario. That is indeed the good news. The bad news is the 1.8 t engine, whether repaired or NOT, STILL cooks oil.

#8911 of 8935 Re: ignore time based OCI? [jeffyscott] by krzyss

Jan 14, 2011 (8:31 am)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 14, 2011 7:00 am)
Short trips only are very hard on engine oil but 20 minutes is not that short.
I would still probably stick to once a year oil change.
 
Krzys

#8912 of 8935 Re: ignore time based OCI? [krzyss] by xwesx

Jan 14, 2011 (9:54 am)

Replying to: krzyss (Jan 14, 2011 8:31 am)
Without doing an oil analysis, it is really hard to say whether an extra six months would be fine or not, because while the oil is likely fine in terms of contaminants, it is the total base number (TBN) that can be low at that twelve-month mark. Once the oil gets down to about 1.0 TBN, its ability to neutralize combustion acids in the engine deteriorates. And, if the oil becomes acidic, the engine internals will corrode.
 
Personally, I would do a 12-month UOA with TBN, but not change the oil at the same time, to see how the oil looks at that interval. The analysis only requres three ounces of oil, so an oil change is not necessary. If your TBN is around 4 and there are no other contaminants, I would run it to 18 months and feel confident about it.
 
Yes, the analysis will cost you about the same as an oil change, but two 18-month intervals will make up for it, and after that it's all savings.

#8913 of 8935 Low Mileage by sandman_6472

Jan 14, 2011 (10:27 am)

Now that I'm basically retired & don't plan to look for a part time gig for awhile, my mileage has gone down by 2/3. Seems logical for me to just do the oil & filter change once a year. Can I still use the dino oil that I've used all this time or is it best to just switch to synthetic? Most of my driving is short term...not even maybe 8 miles total. The car is an '06 Civic with 30.4k on the odo.
 
Not sure which will be better for the engine at this point since I'll be keeping this car for another 5 years at least. T I A for all your help with this matter! Right now, my guy uses Kendall synthetic blend and the oil minder gets to 15% around 7600 miles or so.
 
The Sandman

#8914 of 8935 Re: Low Mileage [sandman_6472] by xwesx

Jan 14, 2011 (10:34 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jan 14, 2011 10:27 am)
How many miles in twelve months are you talking about? If you're down to 3 or 4 thousand, I would go for it.

#8915 of 8935 Re: Low Mileage [sandman_6472] by ruking1

Jan 14, 2011 (10:37 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jan 14, 2011 10:27 am)
Stay with your conventional oil. It is 5w20 I take it?
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