Oil Change?

[mattpresley]

Well for the first time in my life I didn't go the 3K before the change date. My change date is 08/03/2009. I have been driving regularly but my 2 mile commute to the shop on days without work in the field has been plentiful. Do I really need to change my oil on 08/03/2009? Whats the worst that can happen if I drive the 3K miles? I checked my dipstick and the oil level is fine. I'm taking arizona emissions to get my az plate and registration either this weekend or tuesday. Will I fail emissions with this 2,000 mile oil? MY mississippi registration finally expired so now I gotta spend money

Sorry for the long post but any help would be appreciated

 

[88gt]

dude, that is something not to worry about. drive to you get your three thousand miles, change it to mobil 1 synthetic, then dont worry about it for 5000 miles!!

 

[mattpresley]

dude, that is something not to worry about. drive to you get your three thousand miles, change it to mobil 1 synthetic, then dont worry about it for 5000 miles!!

Thats the plan I was gonna use castrol synthec though. Thanks man

 

[PaleBlue90]

i doubt it will hurt anything but rarely changeing oil can cause sludge

 

[Jay FX4]

Changing the oil is serious business, but it's not that damn serious! In your situation you have absolutely nothing whatsoever to worry about.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Don't freak out on it. I go 5k miles every change, but those changes can sometimes be longer than 1 year. Then again, I also use a full synthetic oil (Royal Purple 5w-30). Also for once, I'll be changing the oil within 5 months. A 3k mile trip probably helped on that one.

 

[JamesC]

wow I never knew people took those change dates seriously, at work I don't even write down the date on the stickers. I only ever go by the mileage, I don't worry about the date unless its an old lady who doesn't go anywhere but even then it can go much longer then 3 months.

 

[mattpresley]

Changing the oil is serious business, but it's not that damn serious! In your situation you have absolutely nothing whatsoever to worry about.

Awsome jay

 

[Rifleman]

Who honestly thinks there is a difference in storing oil in the engine and in a plastic bottle on the shelf somewhere?

The real issue is within the filter. Once the element is subjected to the hot oil and the dirt it collects it will begin to break down.

For those that may not know, the recommended storage of a vehicle is to start and run the car 1 hour twice per month. Once at operating temperatures, slowly rev the motor to 70% of redline 30 times (each rev should take at least 10 seconds from idle to the desired RPM holding it at 70% of redline for at least 5 seconds then returning to idle). The oil filter should be changed every 3 months, the air filter and oil should be changed every 50 hours of operation (50 hours of operation is the equivalent of 3000 miles at 60MPH).

Whether you use synthetic, never drive the car, or whatever the circumstance, the filter should be changed every 3000 miles.

 

[snake]

Why all that abuse? Just take the damn thing for a drive a few blocks and park it. 70% of redline? WTF?

 

[Stormey]

thats the proper way to keep the oil in the motor from sludgin up. but yea man go 3000 and change it.

 

[Rifleman]

Why all that abuse? Just take the damn thing for a drive a few blocks and park it. 70% of redline? WTF?

WTF? Abuse? Do the math... That is only 3500RPM for an engine that redlines at 5000RPM. That is not abuse, an auto tranny will be more abusive than that on an interstate entrance ramp going up hill. The 70% figure is based on the average power band of pretty much any motor you come across. 70% ensures you are into the upper part of the power band where the engine most efficiently flows the fluids throughout the systems.

Hell, driving it around the block is technically more abusive as the milage is what affects value of a vehicle...

I was simply stating the guidelines for PROPERLY STORING a vehicle to make the point that there is some thought in the 3000 miles/3 month "oil change" interval. The 3000 miles is the rating for oil, the 3 months is for the filter.

Don't shoot the messenger

 

[LearjetMinako]

Who honestly thinks there is a difference in storing oil in the engine and in a plastic bottle on the shelf somewhere?

The real issue is within the filter. Once the element is subjected to the hot oil and the dirt it collects it will begin to break down.

For those that may not know, the recommended storage of a vehicle is to start and run the car 1 hour twice per month. Once at operating temperatures, slowly rev the motor to 70% of redline 30 times (each rev should take at least 10 seconds from idle to the desired RPM holding it at 70% of redline for at least 5 seconds then returning to idle). The oil filter should be changed every 3 months, the air filter and oil should be changed every 50 hours of operation (50 hours of operation is the equivalent of 3000 miles at 60MPH).

Whether you use synthetic, never drive the car, or whatever the circumstance, the filter should be changed every 3000 miles.

There is another factor to consider. Not all engines are perfect. There is a certain amount of blow-by that gets into the oil. Which in turn makes the oil break-down and turn acidic. There is also the collection of moisture in the engine block through condensition.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There is also the collection of moisture in the engine block through condensition.

In an engine doesn't get run very much that is all I would worry about. Take it for a trip down the highway and the moisture will go away.

 

[wizkid00104]

People drive 30000 miles without changing the oil and do give a crap. Props to you for worrying about the date and even less than 3000 miles.