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Saw a commercial for a motor oil that is good for 15k? Anyone else think that is
I believe its the new Mobile 1 stuff...they have 3 varieties now...one good for 5K, one for 10K and now 15K mile stuff...I don't think the latter 2 meet the specs the General set for the LS1 right now. I still do a 3K change on mine using the original stuff and a good filter regardless...
But as stated above- it does not break down as fast but gets dirty and under high compression and use on a vette I would not risk it!
You can verify with used oil analysis, but chaning synthetic oil at 3K miles is a total waste of money. Check out the Camaro that has been testing oil by doing an analysis every 1K miles. The Mobil-1 went 18K miles and was still good, had TBN reserve and was still within original viscosity.
The new Mobil-1 has more additives to go further. My analysis from the Vette with Amsoil and 7K miles still showed the oil had a long way to go, I changed it per the service manual at 12 months to keep my warrantee.
You can verify with used oil analysis, but chaning synthetic oil at 3K miles is a total waste of money. Check out the Camaro that has been testing oil by doing an analysis every 1K miles. The Mobil-1 went 18K miles and was still good, had TBN reserve and was still within original viscosity.
The new Mobil-1 has more additives to go further. My analysis from the Vette with Amsoil and 7K miles still showed the oil had a long way to go, I changed it per the service manual at 12 months to keep my warrantee.
As a matter of fact, one study showed that engine wear peaked at 3000 miles, again reinforcing the advice that changing oil this early is a waste of time and money.
I believe synthetic oil could be designed to last 15K. Would not do it on a warranty vehicle unless you want to lose your warranty. I follow the instructions in the owners manual and use mobile 1.
I change oil at 3000km and believe it's reasonable and cheap maintenance insurance compared to possibility of a damaging engine components and getting a bill for engine repair in the thousands$$$. But chances are that nothing severe would happen if you only changed it at 7-10000 miles. I have always changed oil well below the MFG or oil company rating. Simply for me, it's a peace of mind. I only put on about 5000 km per summer and always do 2 changes, in the fall before hibernation and mid summer. It also give me time to do a quick inspection underneath and make sure that all is fastened and no damage. Also I always stock up when there are sales of Mobil1 or Castrol and do my own change. Just my opinion.
Amsoil offers oil for performance vehicles and driving rated for 35k miles. They just suggest changing the filter at normal intervals. Believe me, they have done plenty of testing on this oil to ensure it is capable of this. Everyone resists change to this just like they did to synthetic oil when it first came out...The dealerships recommend changing the oil after X amount of miles to be on the safe side, they dont want to have that one guy come in there and his oil be trashed after 3k miles because the car has been driven like it was in the Indy 500 every day of it's existence. Plus if your car burns as much oil as some on this board are, you're changing the oil every couple months anyways the way you put a quart in every month .
BTW, if your car gets nice and hot all the time in dead stop traffic (i.e. you live in Tampa, Florida) and or it is turbocharged and the oil is running through a red hot turbo all the time, the oil will break down much quicker from the extreme temps. I like to change the oil quite often in my Camaro because of this.
I only ran that M1 5w-30 for 7780 miles and a few track days at VIR. Temps at VIR where at or near 290°f each of the 8 sessions over 2 days.
Still plenty of life left in the oil.
I think you waxers could go 10k miles, but if you are under warranty follow the OLI. (% of oil life left) But if you must change your oil at 3k miles, send it to me I'll run it another 5k or more.
I'm going to go 10k miles this time with mobil 1 0w-40 and at least 4 trackdays this summer. I may do an analysis at 5-6k.
I believe synthetic oil could be designed to last 15K. Would not do it on a warranty vehicle unless you want to lose your warranty. I follow the instructions in the owners manual and use mobile 1.
I know Amsoil will not void your warranty for extended drain.
15k is nothing.
I have read a lot published studies on synthetic oils and according to the lab tests synthetics do not break down due to high temperatures.
Only claimed synthetics with additives will cause deposits due to the additives themselves.
I use a pure synthetic in all my other cars and change the oil every 36000 miles and the filter every year. My Vette gets Mobile one as per warranty specifications untill it is off warranty and then I will change to my pure synthetic.
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Test it! Blackstone labs will do it for 20 bucks STOP guessing 3,000 miles is a total waste unless your racing. Some diesel pickup are up to 35,000 with just changing filters and adding when required. Motors have changed and so has oil. 3000 is good for the lube places. There is a Cummins diesel with 1.2 MILLION miles and he changed it every 7500 with regular 15/40. Blackstone will send you the test kits for nothing.
Last edited by John Shiels; Mar 10, 2005 at 06:31 PM.
I had a BMW that used synthetic with free oil changes. The dealer would not change the oil until it had 15K miles. That was in line with the factory recommendations and warranty.
Petroleum science has made some big strides with motor oils.
The oil may last longer but I will stick with two oil and filter changes per year. When you buy a $50k car you should not worry about "blowing" $80 to $100 per year on oil changes. Save the time you spend pulling oil samples doing somthing worthwhile.
I don't buy new cars.
I don't blow money.
If there is no REASON to make an oil purchase, why do it?
If it's emotionally linked, I can't help you. If you can't be persuaded by facts, then you should buy a Porsche.
You can spend lots more, for no good reason, then.
I thought we were pragmatists who decided, for the bucks, these are really cool cars. The fact I have always wanted one since 1953, doesn't make me want to buy oil for it now if I don't have to.