I use Mobil1. My oil change pattern is a combination of what people have written thus far. I plan to change the filter every 3K, adding a quart, or so, to get it back to the proper level. And thenchange the oil every other time I change the filter. According to the various write-ups, Icould probably wait to change the oil until 9K sincea quart gets replaced every 3K...

 

I'll say one thing: I know that on my old 4 cyl Saturn, I could feel a difference in the way the car ran. If it was about 3000 mi. and running semi-poorly, I knew it needed an oil change. My Mustang, however, didn't feel like that at 3000 mi, but it definitely felt like it perked up after I took it in this past weekend.

 

I sure wouldn't do that without an oil analysis to back it up.

 

Cant say I would either....hell if I have the car up I might as well do the whole change. You are just putting used oil right back through the new filter??

 

If oil is dark brown and dirty that means it is saturated with trash, which means there is no more space inside the oil to suspend trash, which means trash will float freely and gather in nooks, crannies, and corners, and your engine will then be the perfect example of all of these commercials that talk about engine sludge.

Have fun.

 

Ask a question about oil, and you'll get 100 different answers.
About 5 years ago, my neighbor/friend told me about LUBRICATION ENGINEERS, it's "pricey", but EXCELLANT.

I change my oil every 18,000 miles on my EXPLORER and F-150 with NO PROBLEMS, overthe past 5 years. They reccommend 25,000 miles, and that makes me nervous as hell, 18,000 is scary enough. BUT, I've never had a problem..... 178,000 on the EXPLORER, and she's PERFECT, and 133,000on the F-150, and we are goin' STRONG !!!!!!

The "BIG OIL COMPANIES" want you to throw away good oil, because it's good for them. JUST think about that,..... now, MOBIL is advertising a 15K oil [sm=wtf.gif]

I converted myMUSTANG, @2500 mi, andI'll make it 18,000 mi between changes. They don't have a 5W20, but 5W30 works just as well. (CAFE standards dictated the 5W20 for MPG)

I've used it in my boatmotor, lawn tractor, lawn mower, weedwacker,.... etc.

Check 'em out www.le-inc.com, they have gear oil, tranny fluids, chassis grease 3752,and just about anything you want to "lube" and protect anything you have,........that ROLLS, needs to go fast, or if..youJust wanna take care of your "BABY"[sm=ts.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=goodidea.gif][sm=goodidea.gif]
I wish I worked for them, I'd like to make some $$$, but, as far as I can see, and what I've heard, THEY are the absolute BEST. IMHO

 

The best thing to do is have an oil analysis done. They can tell you if you are changing it too soon or late. It will also list any high wear items or contaminants found. I use blackstone labs. Typically I will send a sample from every other oil change.

Bob

[IMG]local://upfiles/68856/4A5498F41F8B4A86BC648CD6526AD8DE.jpg[/IMG]

 

WOW !!!! Great idea, use a LAB to check on a V6, cast iron block. BUT,[sm=badidea.gif][sm=forgetit.gif]

 

Yes, it is a good idea like I said before. It can tell you if the viscosity has chaged, how much trash or things like moly are in it, how much trash is in it if your air filter isn't up to specs.

 

Tell ya what. Go to this website http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/and educate yourself about oil and oil filters. There are more true experts to be found in their forums than most anywhere else. You can then decide based on the oil you use and how your car is driven what is best for you and avoid some of the ol' wives tales that get told here time and time again.

Good luck!