View Full Version : oil change frequency?????


olddragger
10-15-2009, 10:58 AM
Ok lets open this discussion.
Doesnt matter if it is synthetic or dino but please give specifics when you post.
What got me to thinking about this is the "holey grail" oil change at 3K miles and before after track events.
Has anyone done a oil analysis study per 1K miles and wanted under wear indicators show that an oil change is needed? I havent seen one on the rotary engine?
I have seen these type studies on recip engines and just to mention 2 of them,(there are probably more) mobil 1 synthetic and Amsoil -- they did not require an oil change until approx 18,000 miles was done with one oil filter change inbetween.
This study also revealed that "topping off" really affected the oils ability to keep on keeping on. This is something we do much more freq than recips.
Viscosity did not change and with amsoil after 10K it actually changed from a 30w to a 40w!
Curious----is the holey grail is danger of being challaged?
Thoughts?
OD

secret8gent
10-15-2009, 11:26 AM
Personally, I'm at 8.2672e-8 Hz if I did my math right~
sorry for the bad joke!

I'll keep an eye on the discussion here...
How many here are having regular oil analysis done?

ps - link to the study about topping up?

ken-x8
10-15-2009, 03:08 PM
I have done no analysis or real research. I change oil every 3000 miles. Not entirely successful at it with my other cars, where I'm the oil change guy, but I get it done by 5000. I've been successful with the 8 because I bring it to the dealer.

That said, 3000 miles is probably overkill. Typical manufacturers change intervals are 7500 miles, and they expect 150,000 mile engine life. That's probably the majority lasting 150K, not just an average.

That the 8 burns oil probably does mean intervals can be longer, because you're refreshing the additiives. Additives (not the oil breaking down) are what control oil life.

That said, I change every 3000. If nothing else, the extra oil use will piss off Greenpeace.

Ken

9krpmrx8
10-15-2009, 03:11 PM
Mine are at 3k but my last UOA was at 1500 miles with GC 0W-30 and it showed wear:tear: My next UOA will be at 3,000 miles on GC 0W-30 and if I don't see an improvement then I will change oils.

olddragger
10-15-2009, 03:13 PM
need a new kind of oil?
Piss off Greenpeace---lol
OD

9krpmrx8
10-15-2009, 03:19 PM
need a new kind of oil?
Piss off Greenpeace---lol
OD


Yeah I'm a little disappointed given all the hype over German Castrol. But I am still giving it a chance thinking it was a fluke first oil change.

secret8gent
10-15-2009, 04:28 PM
did you do a full drain or a regular change?

souljamcdiddy
10-15-2009, 04:42 PM
Man... waiting for 3000 for me is sketchy. When I wait to change mine every 3,000, if I have not topped it off will be 1/2-1 full quart low. I have no leaks. I know it burns oil and my OMP is maxed with my tune. And it's completely blackened, and seems super thinned out. I change mine every 2k and I use the reccommended as per mazda. Castrol 5w20. And I can usually tell as my car nears needing of an oil change just by the way it idles. In 50k miles I had my oil pressure light pop on once. I stopped immediately and topped off. It was approx 2,800 mi since my previous oil change. Ever since then I change mine every 2k. I wouldn't dare go past 3k with my car.

alz0rz
10-15-2009, 04:46 PM
Color is not a good indicator.. don't go by that.

Unless you're getting the oil professional analyzed just do every 3,000 or so like the rest of us.. anything more is overkill. I know plenty of people that do 5,000.

Fyi, I change it every ~3,000 on Royal Purple 5w30 synthetic.

Pico
10-15-2009, 04:50 PM
I'm changing every 3,000 Castrol SB 5-30
Add 1/2 to 1 quart between changes
Bg-44k every 15,000 to keep everything carbon free

olddragger
10-15-2009, 09:25 PM
and if oil analysis showed that oil change is not necessary for 10K--would people do that?
OD

9krpmrx8
10-15-2009, 09:28 PM
did you do a full drain or a regular change?

I do a max out, I get about 5 quarts out.