Oil Change interval

[barkleydave]

I know this has been covered but cannot find it.

I run Full Synthetic Mobil 1

I have a full flow oil filter

I do not run on dusty gravel roads.

How often should I change the oil.

Seems with modern oils and filter a 500 mile interval is too short and too expensive!

What are other doing?

Thanks

[CarlG]

If you don't run more than a couple thousand miles a season, once a year would be sufficient.

[Kurt in NJ]

Do you have a thermostat, do you drive long enough to get the oil hot, do you have a lean enough mixture that the oil doesn't get fuel diluted

You could send a sample out to be checked, then change when the test results say it's ready ---start at 1000 miles, then every 1000 till the test results say change oil ---then you will know how far you can go

[1crosscut]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

Do you have a thermostat, do you drive long enough to get the oil hot, do you have a lean enough mixture that the oil doesn't get fuel diluted

You could send a sample out to be checked, then change when the test results say it's ready ---start at 1000 miles, then every 1000 till the test results say change oil ---then you will know how far you can go

Where do you send an oil sample to get tested?
The cost to have a sample tested has to pretty inexpensive to make it worth while vs just changing the oil. That is I guess unless you use it as a base line for future oil changes.

[WestCoast]

modern oils, modern roads, make it not necessary to change oil every 500 miles, 1000 is sufficient, the specs in the hand book was printed 89 years ago, every thing has improved now, the book is so obsolete as to make it just a collector item

[Mitch//pa]

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remember oil is cheaper than an engine,, even synthetic.
dont be afraid or to frugal to change it often ,,,im not
if you feel its to expensive then switch back to a standard multigrade..

[theHIGHLANDER]

Is it black? Thinned out? Modern engines can go 7K miles before it gets nasty looking. I'd think a synthetic, especially filtered, should last at least 1/2 as long in our old farm implements. As has been said, if it's running right and not too rich you have a lot of time. I know some who change their oil at the end of the season then change it again before they take the car out. Read that as ZERO MILES. Just an example of a case of over thinking the simple stuff. I knew guys when I raced that dumped their SYNTHETIC RACE OIL every weekend regardless of how many rounds they ran (drag racing). Why? I ran the same oil for over 250 rounds of racing and changed the filter at something over 100. The oil was still as clean as the day I poured it in and never smelled like race fuel. Good engine? Sure was. I tore it down and the bearings looked a week old, a leak down before that showed 7 cylinders at 2%, 1 at 4%, that one being a stress crack in a cylinder wall (.100 over BBC). Clean filtered oil lasts longer than advertising says it does. Excess heat and contamination are your enemies. I'm about 500 miles on mine, not filtered, a little dark, not much fuel smell, Shell Rotella. I'm not changing it yet and I've had to add maybe a pint due to 2 seasons of a slight leak. Your results may vary, tax n title extra, void where prohibited, see your retailer for details...

[Kurt in NJ]

25-35$ -- http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...ysis-services/

Yes, it is pretty much cheaper to just change it, but if you really want to know---

Most pre emission cars run pretty dirty, contaminate the oil with combustion byproducts, most old cars don't get enough long trips to cook the oil and evaporate off moisture, fuel etc. ---how often do you drive for more than 1 hour after the oil is up to temperature

[fiddlybits]

Oil does not wear out.

The additives wear out. (Time and heat)
OR
It becomes contaminated.

When it is contaminated it acts as an abrasive. (Generally accepted as 'not a good thing")

All good suggestions above.
No filter shorter interval.
engine not at operating temperature long enough to boil off condensation, which becomes acid, shorter interval.

Lots of oil leaks? No need to change.....it's self changing.

I went 15000 miles on the same oil last summer and the oil analysis said it was still good to go and the engine was fine.

In the end...take in all the info and make your choice.

[V4F]

my car is a daily driver . mostly in town but a few trips each year . I change spring & fall when I service my car . if fluids are kept up you cant really hurt it .......... steve

[C26Pinelake]

Even though most of my cars are driven less than 1000 miles a year I always change the oil in each of them every spring before my first trip. That change of course includes lubrication and a check of all the other oils such as transmission and rear end. I change the transmission and rear end oils every 3 to 4 years. I also change the oil before putting them away for the winter. I realize this may be overkill but I am of the opinion that oil is cheaper than new parts and overhauls.
Wayne

[scooder]

Did I read that right? You change the oil when you put yours to bed for the winter, and then change it again when you get them up?
You really draining out new unused oil and putting in new unused oil?
Could you explain your reasoning here please.
Thanks,
Martin.

[mshmodela]

As a newbie, I tossed my oil when I purchased the car last spring, changed it in the fall just before winter (I drove a little over 500 miles...) and this spring dump the winter oil (Starting the car every week or so during the winter).. I plan on changing every 500 miles and dumping my over winter oil... As had been said, it's cheap... As is coolant 50/50 --I drop it when I drop the oil...

[Gary Gregory]

I agree with Scooder...why dump new oil for new oil ?

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by scooder

Did I read that right? You change the oil when you put yours to bed for the winter, and then change it again when you get them up?
You really draining out new unused oil and putting in new unused oil?
Could you explain your reasoning here please.
Thanks,
Martin.

Yes you read it right Martin. I don't want dirty or unclean oil sitting in the motor over the winter. Then be it right or wrong I don't want the oil sitting in it for six months gathering any moisture or acids. I also start the engine every six weeks during the winter and let it run until it gets warm. My mechanic puts the spring oil he takes out in his old tractor. Wayne

[Gary Gregory]

Seems waistful...but hey...its your car and your money. Dont blame your Mechanic Id gladly take 5 quarts of fresh oil !

[colin1928]

On my cars I check the oil level once per week or before and after a long trip
and change it when it starts to looks darker never wait for oil to become black or to the point I can not see the dip stick marks thou the oil
normally works out to be a few thousand miles

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Vermin's not running yet, NEW oil has been in it for a year. IF YOU THINK OL' BILL'S GONNA DUMP IT, THEN YOU'RE KRAZIER THAN ME!!
I Do spin the motor with the starter, twice a week.
Bill W.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Vermin's not running yet, NEW oil has been in it for a year. IF YOU THINK OL' BILL'S GONNA DUMP IT, THEN YOU'RE KRAZIER THAN ME!!
I Do spin the motor with the starter, twice a week.
Bill W.

send it to me dad
i can put it in my waste oil heater

[Logan]

Every 1500 miles or so will be just fine with a filter. Every 1000 if you dont have a filter

[scooder]

Wayne,
Thanks for reply.
Starting every six weeks till he gets warm, May be doing more harm than good. Your probably warming it up enough to get condensation in the engine, but not hot enough to dry it out. Also need to consider starting in the cold winter with the rich mixture that requires, possible dilution of the oil, ans not getting hot enough to get that dilution out of the oil.
Would be better just leaving them set, and turning over on the hand crank, the winter oil would be good for the next season when treated thus.
That being said, doing what your doing now, dumping that oil in the spring now makes some sence.
What do you think?
Martin.

[barkleydave]

I use mine as a touring truck. This spring I have put 600 miles on it in the past six weeks. Our tours are just getting going. Since I am filtered and using Mobil 1 I think I will change around 1,000 miles that will be 3 changes per year average.

[Redbird]

I just called Valvoline direct and spoke with their technical department. I have been using their products since my first car in 1964. I told them that I have a Model A and their recommendation was to use 30w non-detergent and change per the manufacturer.

[Allanw]

Originally Posted by Redbird

I just called Valvoline direct and spoke with their technical department. I have been using their products since my first car in 1964. I told them that I have a Model A and their recommendation was to use 30w non-detergent and change per the manufacturer.

Thats called "Arse-covering".

It's by no means the best oil for the car, but they can blame ford for specifying it if anybody ever tried to sue them.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by scooder

Wayne,
Thanks for reply.
Starting every six weeks till he gets warm, May be doing more harm than good. Your probably warming it up enough to get condensation in the engine, but not hot enough to dry it out. Also need to consider starting in the cold winter with the rich mixture that requires, possible dilution of the oil, ans not getting hot enough to get that dilution out of the oil.
Would be better just leaving them set, and turning over on the hand crank, the winter oil would be good for the next season when treated thus.
That being said, doing what your doing now, dumping that oil in the spring now makes some sence.
What do you think?
Martin.

What you say makes sense and that is the main reason for the spring change. Thanks for the feedback !
Wayne

[western77]

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I find it interesting that in 1932 with the model B Ford the oil change went to 1000 miles. The engine is about the same as an A. Put an air filter and oil filter on your A and why wouldn't go 2000 mile between changes on the open road? Take it 3 miles down the road everyday, never get it warmed up and I would change it every 2 months. It all depends on how you drive. JB

[Terry, NJ]

I was thinkin' the same thing! I was just thinkin' about how much oil didn't get changed in these cars during the depression. Later on, was WW2 and after the war I recall a lot of people saying "Oil doesn't wear out! Oil Changes are just propaganda from the big oil companies so you'll buy more of it!"
Terry

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Vermin's not running yet, NEW oil has been in it for a year. IF YOU THINK OL' BILL'S GONNA DUMP IT, THEN YOU'RE KRAZIER THAN ME!!
I Do spin the motor with the starter, twice a week.
Bill W.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

I was thinkin' the same thing! I was just thinkin' about how much oil didn't get changed in these cars during the depression. Later on, was WW2 and after the war I recall a lot of people saying "Oil doesn't wear out! Oil Changes are just propaganda from the big oil companies so you'll buy more of it!"
Terry

Now we have independent chemists and scientists that tell us that not only does it wear out it also becomes contaminated with acids and other chemicals and obviuously without a filter the dirt just keeps circulating through the engine. An oil change is Very cheap protection as I see it.
Wayne

[Terry, NJ]

I hope you're not mistakenly thinking I was advocating that position, I wasn't! I was trying to illustrate the poor maintenance that these cars have received for much of their life and survived. I was not advocating no or sloppy oil changes. Being a pilot and former aircraft owner (My engine was a o320 H2AD, which had a flawed reputation) And I got about 400hrs (2400+ TT, 400 past the timed out schedule) out of it primarily because of my oil changes and sampling.
Even as a strict proponent of good lubrication, I find dumping good oil to be wasteful and no where near necessary and pointless.
Terry

Originally Posted by C26Pinelake

Now we have independent chemists and scientists that tell us that not only does it wear out it also becomes contaminated with acids and other chemicals and obviuously without a filter the dirt just keeps circulating through the engine. An oil change is Very cheap protection as I see it.
Wayne

[Jim Huseby]

[QUOTE=Terry, NJ; Being a pilot and former aircraft owner (My engine was a o320 H2AD, which had a flawed reputation) And I got about 400hrs (2400+ TT, 400 past the timed out schedule) out of it primarily because of my oil changes and sampling.
Even as a strict proponent of good lubrication, I find dumping good oil to be wasteful and no where near necessary and pointless.
Terry[/QUOTE]

Terry, 'just thinking out loud here: 2400 hours on an overhaul on your o320 would equate to about 96,000 miles on a Model A at an average of 40 mph or 108,000 miles at an average 45 mph at which the engine would be turning an average of about 1900 RPM, but varying from 800 to 2500 in normal non-stressed driving. What is your cruise RPM and oil change interval? What is your average oil temp? Not that any of your air craft specs would be that applicable to a Model A, but I'm curious. Also just thinking out loud: if you're cruising at 2000 to 2200 RPM, that would roughly equate to 47 to 53 MPH in a Model A, which would equal about 120,000 miles expected on an overhaul. I would like that, but again, two different worlds. I have a friend with three A-powered Pietenpols and he cruises at around 1850. I can't tell you diameter or pitch, but the dia is 72", I believe. The A engines in his aircraft experience such low stress that when he overhauls one, he puts it in a car for 500 miles to get it to break in. Though he owns and flies radials, 4and 6-cyl opposed Continentals, Lycomings, etc., he says his favorite powerplant is the Model A !

[Willie Krash]

Mitch and Bill, the A team.

[kevinmac/toledo]

synthetic oil about 5000 to 7000 miles,or once evry 2 years of limited driving...regular oil still once every 3000 miles... just my honest opinion...kev

[Terry, NJ]

Jim, it's hard to equate an auto engine to an aircraft engine mileage wise. Takeoffs are made at full throttle which is almost never used in an auto. We'd cruise at 2400 RPM, (about 95 KPH , distance is 95+15%) where a car usually cruises at about 1100 RPM (60MPH) The variables include headwinds, tailwinds altitude density, humidity, Temperature and probably something that I've forgotten. I've seen it when I've put 10 or 12 minutes on the Hobbs meter waiting for a ATC to approve my take off in a controlled airport. Then there are the $100 hamburgers! So I don't know how you'd make an actual true comparison. Oil changes were done every 50 hrs and the engine as previously stated was a O 320 H2AD, four cyl. opposed Lycoming 320 Cu In. These engines are timed out at 2000 hrs. My plane was leased back to my club for instruction and was taking something of a beating, flying in circles around the airport doing touch and gos. I am kind of proud that I was able to extend the life of the engine to over 2400 hrs, under rather hard use. I attribute this to the punctual oil changes and the oil sampling. About sampling; I would not bother doing it to a car. It can get expensive. It was about $25-30 twenty years ago and it just isn't necessary. Just change you oil. In those days, Aeroshell 15-50 was about $5-7 a qt. and it was cost prohibitive.
Terry

Originally Posted by Jim Huseby

Terry, 'just thinking out loud here: 2400 hours on an overhaul on your o320 would equate to about 96,000 miles on a Model A at an average of 40 mph or 108,000 miles at an average 45 mph at which the engine would be turning an average of about 1900 RPM, but varying from 800 to 2500 in normal non-stressed driving. What is your cruise RPM and oil change interval? What is your average oil temp? Not that any of your air craft specs would be that applicable to a Model A, but I'm curious. Also just thinking out loud: if you're cruising at 2000 to 2200 RPM, that would roughly equate to 47 to 53 MPH in a Model A, which would equal about 120,000 miles expected on an overhaul. I would like that, but again, two different worlds. I have a friend with three A-powered Pietenpols and he cruises at around 1850. I can't tell you diameter or pitch, but the dia is 72", I believe. The A engines in his aircraft experience such low stress that when he overhauls one, he puts it in a car for 500 miles to get it to break in. Though he owns and flies radials, 4and 6-cyl opposed Continentals, Lycomings, etc., he says his favorite powerplant is the Model A !

[Merc Cruzer]

When I first bought my car, it had been taken apart in in 1982 and I bought it in in 2009. One of the first things I did was to get the engine running and change the oil and filter. I went to pull the cartridge out ant the little handle on the filter came off. A couple of screw drivers later and I had it out. A year later I wound up rebuilding the engine since the block had a crack between the exhaust valve and the water port. What ever the oil change interval was it was way overdue!!!! I changed the oil a couple of days ago getting ready for the summer cruses and the filter I took out looked about as clean as the new one. Still using Wix