That info is right on..
My Dak had 39k on it when I changed to Mobil 1 synthetic. It has almost 41k now. Around 42k I'll change the Mobil 1 out again...because the oil is already 'dirty' looking....Normally it takes 1 or 2 ( 3-4k mile ) Mobil 1 changes to clean it out.
Right before I change it this time, I'll dump half a can of Seafoam into the oil and rest in the gas tank. Then I'll drive it enough to get it up to operating temp then drain the oil while still warm....you'd be shocked at the crap both the synthetic / seafoam will clean out of a 'well maintained' engine that's used conventioal oil.
BUT I do agree after the initial 'cleaning changes' that it would be silly to change full synthetic out every 3k miles. I've gone 7.5-8.5K on all my vehicles since I can remember and I've NEVER had a shortblock ( internal ) engine related failure.
Heck my old Project IROC had 185k on the shortblock when I pulled it to freshen it....it didn't need it. I threw in a new oil pump, gasket set, and away she went.. ( That was a low 12 second NA street tire car that saw on average about 15k a year daily drive miles ).
As for changing to synthetic on high mile motors...it does clean out all the sludge built up from conventional oil, and can cause leaks.
As for oil analysis ( sp? ) I had a buddy of mine send mine off ( he used it for his fleet cars / trucks as a test for a year ) when he did his.
On several different good running engines, there was not enough difference in the oil samples to warrant changing, between 3-8k miles.
The buddy in question changed oil and filter every 10K miles. He's got more than a few Chevy / Dodge / Ford work trucks ( all gas V-8's ) with WELL over 300K, and they just auctioned all their cars off ( 7 years old that's policy...some had up to 300K on 'em ) the cars were Impy's and Crown Vic's.
And the difference in how a motor is done when new does matter. My wife's SUV has 9k miles on it. At 2k miles I drained the factory fill for Mobil 1 synthetic and filter. I just checked her oil last night....it's still so clean, it's a pain to be able to read the dipstick.
Just my highly inflated 2 cents
Chris
01 Dak Sport 4x4
5spd 3.9
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Terrible Tom <SilverEightynine@aol.com>
>
> DR CHALLENGER wrote:
> >
> > i would not even use a synethic if you are changing it every 3500
> > miles. Any dino oil is fine there.
> >
> >
> >> From: "\"Digger\"" <dodgedakotaquadcab@yahoo.com>
> >>
> >>>
> >> Ok all,when i bought my Dak used w/81,000 on her,i
> >> switched from dino oil to Mobil 1 5w30.I'm happy with
> >> the results,considering i change oil/filter between
> >> 3500-3800 miles...
> >>
> >> Now,i have people telling me to switch to Royal Purple
> >> 5w30...
> >>
> >> Any advantages/disadvantages????
> >>
>
> Synthetic oils actually have the ability to clean a little better than
> conventional oils. This is one of the reasons some folks see oil leaks
> after switching to synthetic on higher mileage engines. The synthetic
> oil will clean out deposits from areas where they have built up and can
> cause leaks. Happened to me on the Ram, I started using Mobil 1 with
> the Ram just after I bought it, I don't know what it had in it before -
> I'll assume conventional, but my front timing cover seal leaked just
> before the truck went off warranty.
>
> I've had the oppertunity to attend some Valvoline training and
> edumucitation seminars... yeah - there is some product hype, but there
> was a good deal of useable info there. The rep. knew his stuff.
> According to Valvoline, that is why they don't recommend synthetic on
> higher milage engines that have always run dino. "high milage" engine
> oils, are reported to have cleaning additives, and seal conditioners.
> The additive packages react with gasket and seal material causing them
> to swell, and help stop leaks and lower oil consumption. They can clean
> as well as a synthetic, but have the additives for seal/gasket renewal.
> (starting to sound like a spokes person, am I?)
>
> Anyway - this is the info that Valvoline states about their products,
> and honestly, from what I saw... it seemed very objectve. The goal of
> the seminar seemed slanted more on educuation about the technology and
> science of the different oil on the market, and less on "our stuff is
> the best". One person asked if this stuff (what I mentioned) applied to
> just valvoline or other brands, and the answer was - that its just about
> all brands. (meaning the ability of synthetic to clean better applies
> to synthetic oils in general - not just brand A or B etc)
>
> (shrug) your milage may vary, take it with a grain of salt...
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Rocks are for skipping... I'm all about the mud
> 75 Honda CL360, 89 Dakota, 89 Dakota 4x4,
> 95 Dakota 4x4, 96 Neon, 01 Ram 4x4
> http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/
> AIM & Yahoo: SilverEightynine
>
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