How long between oil changes? Is Amsoil good oil to use?

You would be the first person I have ever heard that an engine can go 10k miles between oil changes. I've seen 7k but not 10k.
Sorry but I'd never do changes that far appart.
Again oil changes are the cheapest preventative maintenance for a vehicle. No need to get cheap and spread your luck to save a buck.

I'd like to see a source backing up that 10k claim because I seriously doubt that.

 

Here's one source. I'll still do 5K but my GM engineer nephew says 10k is no problem for normal driving these days.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/oil-change-truths/
"One way to reduce trips to and money spent unnecessarily on quick-lube outlets is to switch to synthetic oils, which last longer and perform better than their traditional petroleum-based counterparts. Davis says that educated drivers should opt for longer lasting, better performing synthetic oils, which are “most likely good for 10,000 to 15,000 miles or six months” whether or not their manufacturers recommend more frequent changes or not. Some synthetic motor oils, like Amsoil, NEO and Red Line, to name a few, are created specifically to last 25,000 miles or one year before needing a change."

 

You get a free handie at that price?

 

That source specified long-lasting synthetic oil. Key piece if information.
Most people who pay for their oil changes do synthetic blends to save cost. Wouldn't want them getting the idea that they can take their oil changes out that far. They WILL cause damage doing that.
Without the use of those higher performance oils 5k is a good standard.

Will look into these long lasting full-synthetic oils. I like the idea of reducing waste.

 

More opinion...while I practice the 5k routine with mobil 1, GSA, who manages most government vehicles has gone to 7.5k with synthetic oil. Extended drain times are possible with monitoring, but an oil alone cannot vastly increase drain times without knowing use factors and engine condition.

As for price, I got five, five quart jugs of mobil 1 from Amazon for $23 a jug. The mobil 1 has gotten so reasonable in price, I buy very little dino oil now.

Howard

 

One place to start good reading is http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

For me, another great source of data has been a tribologist friend from another forum. One who also raced the same type of car I did, except his was more 'strained' with a turbo. One who has his own consulting business and his own lab. A couple of quotes from him............

"10k OCI is my current length on most everything that isn't under warranty (warranty protection is #1, do whatever they say till it's over). I am not as weight conscious as I once was, all the weights are getting better."

(this one regarding my Tacoma) "After warranty, I would go to 10k and M1. The 0w20 Toyota oil used to be something special, now it is kinda midrange"

Before any individual makes their decision, it's important to determine the health of their specific vehicle. At your next OCI (whatever you think that should be) send a sample of your oil, from your engine, and have it tested. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ is a great independent lab.

I'm not telling anyone to just auto-jump to 10k. And folks shouldn't be telling others to auto-stick to 3 or 5k either.

Proper testing should be making the decision.

 

This thread is

 

Going back today to see if they forgot to include that. If not I'm returning the oil. Will report back

 

mobil 1 does buy 5 quarts of oil and filter and get a 15 dollar rebate all the time. walmart is one of the vendors, so you buy the 5q from walmart for 23 bucks. filter from Amazon for 10 bucks and you end up paying 25 bucks for filter and oil. i'll take it.


on a semi related note, what do you guys think about toyota filters instead of mobil1 filters?

 

Wix 51348 Master Pack is $40.44 for TWELVE from http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/filters-oil-filters.html.

That and Walmart Mobil 1 should take care of the oil change tasks very cheaply...

Howard

 

All over it!

 

another mobile 1 full synthetic extended formula walmart customer. I change oil every decemeber

 

was actually 43.44 plus 15.76 shipping, but that is still a solid deal. ebay has TEN toyota filters for 47 bucks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Taco...yota|Model:Tacoma&hash=item48698b0d54&vxp=mtr

 

This should be the automatic response for ANY stupid oil questions thread. An old co workers dad has a car collection that includes a Ferrari F40 and he isn't as picky about the oil that goes in there as some of you guys are about a $14k Toyota.

 

I usually order a couple/three cases so shipping goes down per case...

 

yeah, it looks like the shipping cost goes up one dollar for every 12 filters you add. it's definitely where i'll go to get my filters from now on (once i deplete my rebate assisted mobil 1s)lol

 

I've run 5-different brands of synthetic oil in my truck that met specs, including the walmart branded stuff for $15. I buy whatever synthetic oil is least expensive at the time, and change at 5K mile interval. Truck runs like a dream.

And yeah,

 

I was talking to a long time certified Toyota engine rebuilder and oil analyst just last night, and he said that Mobil 1 is the worse synthetic oil on the market. It has the lowest credentials of any "full" synthetic oil available. Now he said it was good oil, but only slightly better than the dino/blended stuff, and would definitely stick to the 5k schedule if using it. He also confirmed to using Amsoil...he said it was the best oil on the planet, and recommended I go10k, and send him an oil sample, but implied he was virtually positive I would have no problems.

He was also emphatic about using a genuine Toyota filter. He says the check and relief valving in the factory filter matches the pressures, volumes, and flow of the oil system perfectly. He further urged for me to use the larger YZZD3 filter (as opposed to the smaller YZZD1) because of the increased filter media, and warned me I would have to add a few more ounces to compensate for the larger volume.

Im just sharing what HE said...dont taze me bro!

 

While I do have alot of respect for technicians who have the knowledge to rebuild engines professionally, I have a hard time believing Mobil 1 is the WORST synthetic oil on the market. Mobil 1 has made a name for itself over decades and is the oil that some luxury car makers recommend for use in their vehicles.

By no means do I think Mobil 1 is the greatest, but I doubt it's the worst.

 

I had a chat with one of my aviation instructors, this guy is a millionaire, Mensa society, certified Tribologist...I believe him. He still drives a mid-80's Ford dually diesel with half a million miles on it.

Anyway his biggest recommendation was bypass filters. He said synthetic didn't matter, dino oil was just fine, it's all about filtration.

He went on to explain that the biggest amount of wear is when the piston is at the top of it's stroke and changes direction to it's intake/power stroke. When this happens the ring to cylinder wall is at it's smallest clearance, roughly 2-3 microns. So it's the 2-3 micron range that's the most damaging. Bypass filters filter down to the 2 micron range.

I've been using factory Toyota full-flow filters and Mobil-1 5w-30 synthetic, however I'm about to install my bypass system pretty soon. I don't think I'll extend my oil change intervals, usually only commercial vehicles do to save money. Plus Blackstone charges $25 for an oil analysis, might as well just change the oil unless you're looking for more than when to change fluids such as bearing wear.

By the way, you can get 6 quarts of Amsoil OE 5w-30 sent to your door for roughly $39. It's not that Gucci. I like Mobil-1 but is seems that it's the most popular synthetic and 1 out of 3 trips to the store to get oil, and it's sold out. To some people, it may be worth a few extra bucks to get it sent to your door. I'll still use Toyota filters, in fact my dealer has a buy 3 get one free deal going.


Food for thought.

Edit: The Bypass system will also add roughly 1 quart to the system, bonus cooling.