Oil Change Frequency?

[avelectro]

Unfortunately, my G90 is driven just once per month. That trip is typically 50 highway miles so in our dry and hot Phoenix climate I can be assured I am evaporating all moisture from the engine. Even though my car sees less than 1000 miles per year, I still change engine oil annually. It may seem like a waste but I do have a couple years of powertrain warranty remaining.

The recommended viscosity ranges shown below for my engine include a 10W-30 for my climate. Here in Phoenix we see temps from 0 to 50 degrees Celsius.

I am glad 10W-30 is recommended because it has the lowest volatility for the brand I use, Amsoil Signature Series. I have attached a copy of that oil's data sheet. On the last page, the NOACK Volatility % is 4.1% compared with 5.8% for 5W-20 and 6.7% for 5W-30. I consider low volatility to be an important quality for motor oil, especially when used in a GDI application, because it means less oil vapor being routed through the PCV system. Less PCV oil vapor means less carbon buildup on the intake valves and therefore engine performance can be preserved longer, perhaps as long as I own the car.

At least that is my theory but at so few miles each year (and stored in a garage) this G90 might outlast me!

 

[EdP]

Unfortunately, my G90 is driven just once per month. That trip is typically 50 highway miles so in our dry and hot Phoenix climate I can be assured I am evaporating all moisture from the engine. Even though my car sees less than 1000 miles per year, I still change engine oil annually. It may seem like a waste but I do have a couple years of powertrain warranty remaining.

The recommended viscosity ranges shown below for my engine include a 10W-30 for my climate. Here in Phoenix we see temps from 0 to 50 degrees Celsius.

I am glad 10W-30 is recommended because it has the lowest volatility for the brand I use, Amsoil Signature Series. I have attached a copy of that oil's data sheet. On the last page, the NOACK Volatility % is 4.1% compared with 5.8% for 5W-20 and 6.7% for 5W-30. I consider low volatility to be an important quality for motor oil, especially when used in a GDI application, because it means less oil vapor being routed through the PCV system. Less PCV oil vapor means less carbon buildup on the intake valves and therefore engine performance can be preserved longer, perhaps as long as I own the car.

At least that is my theory but at so few miles each year (and stored in a garage) this G90 might outlast me!

There are many theories on the best time to do oil changes. In all my automotive life, I've never heard of a car damaged from too many oil changes. Time is a factor. Continue as you see fit, or, get the oil tested after the year to check for contaminants. Good idea, cost about half of the oil change price though.

 

[wswail]

I personally would not wait that long to change my oil if I plan to keep the car over 100k miles. Long oil change intervals benefit dealership service departments and 3 year lease owners more than a person who will keep the car for a long time.

I change my oil in all my engines every 4k miles tops. My oldest engine is a Chevy 6.0 LQ9 V8 with over 200k miles and it purrs like a kitten. I use the same Valvoline 5w-30 high milesge oil in my 6.0 V8 and in my Genesis 5.0 V8 with 4k mile oil changes. Both engines runs like new.

With synthetic oil, there is absolutely zero need to change oil in new vehicles that often. It just puts more crap in our environment. 7,500 miles is fine and 10,000 is fine as well. Anyone who is doing 3-4k is out of their mind. Also, use synthetic oil. Far better for your car. Doesn't burn as much (stays cleaner, which is why they can go longer).

 

[wswail]

There are many theories on the best time to do oil changes. In all my automotive life, I've never heard of a car damaged from too many oil changes. Time is a factor. Continue as you see fit, or, get the oil tested after the year to check for contaminants. Good idea, cost about half of the oil change price though.

It isn't about "too many oil changes." It is an environmental issue. New cars, with synthetic oil, do not need 3-5k oil changes. They need changes between 7500 and 10,000. The oil stays much cleaner than standard oil, which is why you can go much further in between changes.

 

[pulsar]

It isn't about "too many oil changes." It is an environmental issue. New cars, with synthetic oil, do not need 3-5k oil changes. They need changes between 7500 and 10,000. The oil stays much cleaner than standard oil, which is why you can go much further in between changes.

Environmental issue? I’m assuming for those who don’t take their oil to a recycle place? I was under the impression as long as you get your oil to a place who has a recycler pickup used oil that the oil was reclaimed into other usable products? Pretty sure synthetic oils do not have any petroleum bases in its formulation so no harm or take-away from Mother Nature produced oils. I guess the recycling process alone may create some environmental issues, as does recycling most any product like coke cans and glass bottles.

 

[wswail]

Environmental issue? I’m assuming for those who don’t take their oil to a recycle place? I was under the impression as long as you get your oil to a place who has a recycler pickup used oil that the oil was reclaimed into other usable products? Pretty sure synthetic oils do not have any petroleum bases in its formulation so no harm or take-away from Mother Nature produced oils. I guess the recycling process alone may create some environmental issues, as does recycling most any product like coke cans and glass bottles.

No. If you use more oil, and millions of vehicles use more oil, it is absolutely an environmental issue. Really?

 

[EdP]

Pretty sure synthetic oils do not have any petroleum bases in its formulation so no harm or take-away from Mother Nature produced oils.

Yes, they all use the same crude as the base.

How bad is synthetic oil for the environment?


Conventional motor oils are derived from petroleum, whereas synthetic oils are replicas manufactured from chemicals that are really no kinder to the environment than petroleum. Plus, those chemicals used to make synthetic oil also come from, ultimately, petroleum.

 

[pulsar]

Yes, they all use the same crude as the base.

How bad is synthetic oil for the environment?


Conventional motor oils are derived from petroleum, whereas synthetic oils are replicas manufactured from chemicals that are really no kinder to the environment than petroleum. Plus, those chemicals used to make synthetic oil also come from, ultimately, petroleum.

I’m no oil expert, but I do believe there are synthetic oils derived from non-crude oil base stock. The Penzoil Ultra I use claims to be made from natural gas which is group IV base. Not saying some oil related components in this synthetic oil do not come from natural crude oil. Agree that the manufacturing of any of this stuff by the big oil or chemical companies has potential environmental impacts. Just not sure the small numbers of ultra anal DIY oil change folks who change their oil at lower than recommended intervals is anything but a nit in the overall oil change industry and any potential extra environmental impacts. Most folks I know go way past the recommended interval so if suddenly all those folks started adhering to recommended oil change intervals we would have a much bigger environmental impact than the low number of anal frequent oil changers cause.

 

[MARYLAND RAUDER]

My son and I do 5K. He just sold his 83 El Camino with 470,000 original miles and the engine was never opened for any work. (used only AMSOIL Synthetic) I sold my 66 Grand Prix with 237,000+ miles and no engine work ever- I used MOBILE 1 Synthetic. My 04 Marauder has 30,000+ and it to uses MOBILE 1. I plan to do the same for my G90 Ultimate.

 

[MARYLAND RAUDER]

I’m no oil expert, but I do believe there are synthetic oils derived from non-crude oil base stock. The Penzoil Ultra I use claims to be made from natural gas which is group IV base. Not saying some oil related components in this synthetic oil do not come from natural crude oil. Agree that the manufacturing of any of this stuff by the big oil or chemical companies has potential environmental impacts. Just not sure the small numbers of ultra anal DIY oil change folks who change their oil at lower than recommended intervals is anything but a nit in the overall oil change industry and any potential extra environmental impacts. Most folks I know go way past the recommended interval so if suddenly all those folks started adhering to recommended oil change intervals we would have a much bigger environmental impact than the low number of anal frequent oil changers cause.

Do you want to "get lost" in the world of oil? Look up Bob's The Oil Guy and spend a few hours or days on this subject!

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