Best Oil, Filter, and Diff Fluid
I'm doing my very first maintenance today....I knows its been done to this car before in its 6 year history, but at 5000 miles it almost feels like it should be its first one too. LOL
I want to run some good quality oil, use a solid filter, and probably swap out the differential fluid. I know standard dino oil ages over time as well as use, but does high quality synthetic age as well? If I change the oil now and store the car over winter, is it time for another oil change in spring even with only 2 or 3 hundred miles on the oil? (Should I just go with Sarges suggestion of Penzoil Platinum...I read that post until my eyes hurt, or does it have any disadvantages in my particular application?)
Almost forgot to ask as well...what grade oil does best in colder northern climates over the late fall, winter, and early spring months?
And the differential fluid, its 6 years old but does it need changed because of age, or will synthetic diff fluid be a sound upgrade, or should I just leave it be for now?
Lastly...engine coolant, what brand is best for an F-body (2002 WS6)
Amsoil Oil Change Interval...
Oh boy… here we go again with the antiquated 3000-mile oil change myth…
OEMs… GM is up to 10k, Ford and Chrysler are at 7.5k…
“Although oil companies and quick-lube shops like to promote this idea that engine oil should be changed every 3,000-miles, it’s usually not necessary.” - Consumer Reports, December 2006
“Conventional wisdom has held that the oil should be changed about every 3,000 miles. This notion has been ingrained into people's heads for decades, in part as a marketing ploy by oil companies. The 3,000-mile interval made sense when engines used single-grade nondetergent oils. But with the latest oils and car designs, it's no longer necessary to change oil that often under normal driving conditions.” –Steve Ritter, in Chemical & Engineering News, March 13, 2006
“Synthetic oils, because of their better properties, need to be changed less often, at intervals up to 25,000 miles or more. In the end, the best advice on the type of oil to use and the frequency of oil changes is to follow the manufacturer's recommendation in your car owner's manual.” –Steve Ritter, in Chemical & Engineering News, March 13, 2006
“Guaranteed performance and protection for up to 15,000 miles” -Mobil 1 Extended Performance
Then how about this for the Mobil 1 history buffs -
http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/a1/da/587a_1.JPG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7.../M1-oilcan.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7.../M1-cantop.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ilcan-back.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...1-lowercan.jpg
The Mobil-1 25,000-mile extended oil change was available to the public circa early 1980s. This would have been some 8-years after AMSOIL came out with the first API recognized 100% Synthetic automotive motor oil in 1972 with a 25k OCI. It is said that General Motors(GM) was a factor in ending the Mobil-1 extended oil change recommendation when GM started using Mobil-1 as factory fill later on in the 1980s. This is most likely due to liability concerns, but can you imagine how much revenue GM service centers would lose going from a 3k OCI, to a 25k OCI?
And as Sarge pointed out, Amsoil does have a disclaimer. Actually, I'd call it a Manufacturer Recommendation.
The Amsoil extended drain interval does come with recommendations. Here it is below:
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils are recommended for extended drain intervals in unmodified(1), mechanically sound(2) gasoline fueled vehicles as follows:
• Normal Service(3) – Up to 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
• Severe Service(4) – Up to 15,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
• Replace AMSOIL Ea full-flow oil filter at the time of oil change up to 25,000 miles or one year service life, whichever comes first (other brands at standard OEM* intervals).
• In all other applications, extend the oil change interval according to oil analysis or follow the OEM* drain interval.
*OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer
(1) Engines operating under modified conditions are excluded from extended drain recommendations. Examples include the use of performance computer chips; non-OEM approved exhaust, fuel or air induction systems; and the use of fuels other than those recommended for normal operation by the manufacturers.
(2) Engines are in good working condition and within the factory design settings. Mechanically sound engines, for example, do not leak oil or consume excessive amounts, are not worn out, do not overheat, do not have internal or external anti-freeze leaks and have properly working emission control systems. AMSOIL recommends repairing malfunctioning engines prior to the installation of AMSOIL synthetic oils.
(3) Personal transportation vehicles frequently traveling greater than 10 miles (16 km) at a time and not operating under severe service.
(4) Turbo/supercharged vehicles, commercial or fleet vehicles, excessive engine idling, use of AMSOIL engine oil in vehicles with over 100,000 miles without prior regular use of AMSOIL engine oil, daily short trip driving (less than 10 miles), frequent towing, plowing, hauling or dusty-condition driving.
AMSOIL Ea full-flow oil filters are designed for extended drain intervals. They stop smaller particles, flow more oil and last longer than regular filters. For best performance, use AMSOIL full-flow oil filters.
So when doing the extended drain interval, be sure and follow the above recommendations and remember it is guaranteed by Amsoil Inc.
Finally, as mentioned, Used Oil Analysis (UOA) is the best way to determine how long you can extend your oil change. There are many oil testing labs available to the public and they don't cost that much. There are also many consumer provided UOAs out there that show great results in the 20,000-plus mile Oil Change Interval range. So get some extended drain synthetic, and start testing for yourself. Unless you enjoy changing your oil every 3k; some people do.
CompSyn
Used Oil Analysis (UOA) results...
Easy Sarge! We haven’t gotten past the 3,000-mile oil change practice yet. Let’s save 50,000-miles for another date. :)
Below are a handful of links I found at Bob Is The Oil Guy.com. The links are Used Oil Analysis (UOA) results from people who posted them there.
Here are the Used Oil Analysis (UOA) results -
Amsoil 0W-30, 20K mile OCI, 2004 Cn Vic 130K mile UOA link
Amsoil ASM 0w20, 2003 Acura MDX, 23920 miles UOA link
Amsoil S3000 5W-30 22,022 miles 2003Chevrolet s-10 UOA link
2000 Civic, Amsoil Series 2000 0w30, 25,000 miles UOA link
03 S2000 Amsoil 0W30, 24,261 miles w/bypass UOA link
When following Amsoil recommendations, Extended Drain Intervals have been possible, are possible and will continue to be possible despite the reluctance of many. Whether or not the public chooses to make the choice and tap into the lubrication technology that exists today is up to them. The reality is that many do not want to take the time, get some UOAs done, and dial in an Extended Drain Interval that is specific to their driving habits and application. A vast majority would rather just take their car to the nearest quickie-lube and have their oil changed every 3k. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It meets the needs and keeps the car running until trade-in time.
CompSyn
