My Truck is doomed! Oil test results from 30k oil change. UPDATE: 110K!

Nice. I need to do this my next oil change for piece of mind on engine health if nothing else. I am paranoid that all my issues w/ lean/rich/CKP/etc., the first 10k miles of ownership caused long-term damage even though it's running well now. A couple of samples sent off with some good results would set me at ease beyond just confirming oil change frequencies. thanks for the update

 

Lots of folks have some concerns about the 10k frequency. Kind of why I'm doing it.

 

A few questions. You use Mobil1 0-20 (in Baton Rouge)? Isn't that hot and humid? Why not 10w-30 or 10w-40? Also the analysis says Mobil1 was fine at a 10K mile interval?

 

1. Yes
2. Yes
3a. It's what the manufacturer recommends. They actually test the crap out of the engines and oil and know what the clearances are and what viscosity works. If you work in a technical field, original numbers had lots of padding in them. As time goes on, we sharpen our pencils and get closer to the real number.
3b. Humidity isn't an issue if the engine is running. It's going to cook out any moisture since it's running at over 200F.
3c. Ambient Temperature also doesn't matter since the engine and oil is regulated at temps much higher than ambient anyway. If the cooling system can't keep up, you got a problem.
4. The report says I should try 12,000 mile intervals since the oil is doing so well. So, yes. 10k is OK. This confirms the answers in 3a.

Hope this helps.

 

Great data!

Then there will still be those who still insist/argue for 3K mile OCI's.

 

Good stuff here Woodrow, thanks for sharing.

 

Real data is hard to argue with. Thats good info to know. Thanks for sharing OP.

 

Rotella T6 0-40 full synth. Higher level of antiwear and detergent additives. Use it in everything. Cars,trucks,tractors,snow blowers,leaf blowers... Switch over once and see how much darker the used oil is being drained. Pull the cover off a small engine and see how much cleaner it looks.Everything runs quieter and smoother. People are using it in their race cars and track cars. I use it in my 575M. It is of course dry sump and takes 3 gallons plus one qt to fill. Has 2 oil filters too. Bruce

 

@GTS Bruce why would I use it? I actually have lab data telling me that what I'm using is doing a great job.

Also, that oil has a higher viscosity at operating temp than what Toyota says to use. That could increase wear and lower fuel economy on this particular engine. It Might work fine, but why risk it based on anecdotal information?

Your telling me to try something because a bunch of other people are using it for different applications, but no empirical data to back it up. I don't understand.

 

Because the ambient temperature difference of +20 degrees does not mean anything to your engine.

 

Love this stuff. Thanks for posting your data. It’ll be good to link to the guys here swearing by 5k mile OCIs for no reason.

OA

 

Motor oil is a good source of calcium

Thanks for sharing this, Vbpiper. Good info on this thread, Woodrow!

 

What I LOL about is how people think "if it is a good engine oil then hell use it on EVERYTHING.....door hinges, air rifles, shotguns....machine guns".

 

What does time do to motor oil? I typically only put about 6000 miles a year on my third gen but don't want to leave the oil in for more then a year so I do it in the fall and early summer.

I have been changing every 6 months mainly because I get a good discount on oil, I'm not worried about cost. I use Mobil 1 and have used it since day one on my 1st gen also. That truck get used a lot more and I change that at 7000 miles or about twice a year also. I've never burnt a drop of oil in that truck even though it calls for 3500 mile oil changes, if I recall correctly.

 

Probably a complex question that has a highly individual answer. The low mileage in one case might mean driving 3 miles to work and 3 miles home, in another case it might mean that the vehicle was used as an airport shuttle that idled more than it was driven.

My 2004 Silverado had an hour meter on odo, that could fill in a data point that might be helpful.

My Ma had a car that was driven the 2 miles to work, sit 8 hours, driven 2 miles home. Alternators and batteries did not last long in her car.

 

These results make me feel good about going 10K OCI's. Especially since I'm using amsoil signature series which they rate for 25K/1 year.

 

I only use the '16 on weekends or when I'm off work so it is typical miles per trip. No real short trips on a consistent basis. My '03 gets used for work and that is mostly 40+ mile round trips but it varies also.

 

Time just allows for the additives to break down and increase the amount of time water is actually in the oil (when the engine is cooled down). Finally more time can mean more contaminants.

I've got turbines with 10 years on oil.... but the oil is different, tested often, and occasionally sweetened with additives.

Can you go more than 6 months? IDK, but you can test and find out. I drive too much.

 

Thanks for bringing some Real Talk about oil change intervals. Way too much anecdotal "evidence" on the internet about why people should change their oil every 3-5k miles. A friend of mine was trying to convince me to use a "thicker"oil and change it more often. Going to double down on nope to that! Thanks for the science!

 

Good info, thanks for sharing and updating