Most miles between oil changes?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 2
From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
I have a 2000 and I get 5-7,000 miles on the OLM. I have let it run past there by a few hundred because I know GM changed the logarithm in '01.
I have 16% on the monitor now and I'm heading up to Canada next week. I figure i'll bust the limit just before I get there and I'll do the change up there.
I have 16% on the monitor now and I'm heading up to Canada next week. I figure i'll bust the limit just before I get there and I'll do the change up there.
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: windham maine
One big question,,,,WHY????? You OBVIOUSLY have not read any of Eviltwins post!!Many parameters time and tests are used to develop the OLM .After further tests indicated they were overly conservative they extended the range in 01. With synthetic oil it's just plain silly to change that often,but to each their own ! Using the OLM they have run test motors OVER 200,000 miles with NO significant wear! I have a friend (one of my golf buddy's)that has a 97 GMC Sonoma (and uses regular oil) only changes every 4000 and has OVER 1/2 million miles on virgin drive-train!! As a matter of fact he's getting close to 600,000 (something like 580,000 I haven't asked him lately).The ONLY major part replaced so far has been the A/C compressor!! SO unless it takes a year to hit that 2800 miles you are waisting time MONEY and OIL!! You thought that was excessive,,you thought WRONG! There are TONs of engineering proof to the contrary!! Your car,,your choice,,and free to post your choice,,just don't add little shots implying your way is SO superior that you don't buy used cars. Your are Not right and not superior,,just wasteful of our natural resources. You are entitled to your opinion, but when you take cheap shots you open yourself to a reply!
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Between 4500-5000. Now that im deploying, ill only have 5500 miles on the car in the past year ive owned it (oct07-oct08)
I know there are far more guys in here that cant sleep at night of they go over 1000 miles on the same oil. Where are you?
I know there are far more guys in here that cant sleep at night of they go over 1000 miles on the same oil. Where are you?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: Houston TEXAS
One big question,,,,WHY????? You OBVIOUSLY have not read any of Eviltwins post!!Many parameters time and tests are used to develop the OLM .After further tests indicated they were overly conservative they extended the range in 01. With synthetic oil it's just plain silly to change that often,but to each their own ! Using the OLM they have run test motors OVER 200,000 miles with NO significant wear! I have a friend (one of my golf buddy's)that has a 97 GMC Sonoma (and uses regular oil) only changes every 4000 and has OVER 1/2 million miles on virgin drive-train!! As a matter of fact he's getting close to 600,000 (something like 580,000 I haven't asked him lately).The ONLY major part replaced so far has been the A/C compressor!! SO unless it takes a year to hit that 2800 miles you are waisting time MONEY and OIL!! You thought that was excessive,,you thought WRONG! There are TONs of engineering proof to the contrary!! Your car,,your choice,,and free to post your choice,,just don't add little shots implying your way is SO superior that you don't buy used cars. Your are Not right and not superior,,just wasteful of our natural resources. You are entitled to your opinion, but when you take cheap shots you open yourself to a reply!
Eviltwin was on the C5 Platform design team since 1995. And I belive I would trust the advice of the individual who DESIGNED my car. The way he explained it to me- 1. Synthetic oil does not breakdown on the same schedule as organic. 2. The Computer is taking into account the conditions the oil is being subjected to. EX- the driving habits of the operator. Both of these are taken into account when the computer is calculating remaining oil life. But he probably doesn't know what he's talking about. He just built the thing...!! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Eviltwin was on the C5 Platform design team since 1995. And I belive I would trust the advice of the individual who DESIGNED my car. The way he explained it to me- 1. Synthetic oil does not breakdown on the same schedule as organic. 2. The Computer is taking into account the conditions the oil is being subjected to. EX- the driving habits of the operator. Both of these are taken into account when the computer is calculating remaining oil life. But he probably doesn't know what he's talking about. He just built the thing...!! Also high RPM will cut the mileage as well as short trip and stop and go city driving. Max life condition is long highway miles with fully warmed motor and modest RPMs. All motors have a small amount of blow by so cars that are low mile lots of sitting usually short trip cars get the 1 year rule as these conditions lead to condensation in the crank case mixing with combustion contamination and it is best to change it out every year as a precaution!Personally IF I stored my car in the winter I'd change it right before I stored it to keep the bearings sitting in clean fresh oil. Since mine doesn't sit long it's a moot point! Hope this answers some of the questions!!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,849
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Very rarely do I even reach 3K miles when I change it because of so
much down time on the car.
much down time on the car.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
That's what I want to know, but I'll rephrase to make the question clearer. What's SPECIAL about the one year time limit? What scientific proof is there that it needs to be done once a year if the OLM says there's still life remaining on the oil? Could this be like the change every 3000 miles myth? Just curious (but playing devil's advocate a little).
Flamesuit still on.
Flamesuit still on.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Eureka California
I'm just **** about oil but I change every 3,000 miles on my 3 Harleys, my wife's Rav4, my truck AND the Vette. I look at it as cheep insurance and it's fun to do. I use Mobil 1 in everything, even my lawn mower, power washer and Kikker. Stupid???? I don't care.........
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 4
From: Franklin Square Long Island NY
FYI moil 1 is one of the worst synthetic oils out there....i know i didnt believe it myself but if you really care which its seems like do check it out. I use royal purple in my car now its cost me 7.50 a quart from pepboys.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
First year I had the dealer change the oil 4 times ! 
Now before you all pimp slap me let me explain. 
They changed the oil at 1,500 miles on them and then they gave me 3 free oil changes.....that had to be used that year ! Which is just plain stupid I think. I figured hey if they want to put all that Mobil 1 in for nothing go right ahead. I bought it in Jan of 04 new and right now I have 15K on it. After that first year I change it every November so while it sits for most of the winter it has fresh oil in it. I do use it on nice days in the winter. In my 2000 Blazer which has 185K I also use Mobil 1 I change it every 6K. 
Now before you all pimp slap me let me explain. They changed the oil at 1,500 miles on them and then they gave me 3 free oil changes.....that had to be used that year ! Which is just plain stupid I think. I figured hey if they want to put all that Mobil 1 in for nothing go right ahead. I bought it in Jan of 04 new and right now I have 15K on it. After that first year I change it every November so while it sits for most of the winter it has fresh oil in it. I do use it on nice days in the winter. In my 2000 Blazer which has 185K I also use Mobil 1 I change it every 6K.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
The reasoning behind the 1year is that ALL motors have a small amount of blow by which allows a small amount of gas and combustion residue to get mixed in the oil.The oil additive package takes care of this for a good period of time when the car gets regular trips where the engine reaches full operating temp for a good amount of time. (one of the main parameters of the OLM long highway trips draw a low % drop in the program) Short trips followed by sitting allows condensation to form in the crank case which mixes with the oil and can form an acidic condition in the oil over time when the motor doesn't get run long and warm enough to evaporate the condensation! After time the acid will overwhelm the additives. So to error on the side of caution they recommend a max of 1 year. There have been articles on this in Car Craft and Chevy High Performance that were based on industry people that included R.P. and Amsoil.