Im just wondering,
My sticker says 89,680 and i just turned 93,00.

I buy valvoline.

Can you go up to 5000 miles w/o out a oil change on some oils,
I used to sell cars and on specfic cars such as: corvette avalanche trailblazer and brand new 02 full size trucks they can go 7500 miles w/o an oil change.
So i was wondering what everbody thinks is the limit.
thanks
bowtieguy01

 

my friend went 14k without an oil change in his capri, then 100 miles after the change BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!! goodbye engine. if you run a full synthetic I'd say 5k is the limit. I run a synthetic blend but don't go over 3k.

 

I would say that sometimes mileage isnt the best way to tell if your oil needs to be changed. For instince, if you let your car idle in the winter you will be operating your engine and since the car isnt moving, your odometer wont turn at all. On the other hand, if you drive a lot on the highway you will be putting more miles per hour of operation, and the oil would not be as dirty @ 3000 miles. BMW and a few other manufactures have come up with systems to monitor how dirty the cars oil is...I think this probably the most accurate way to know when to change it. The type of oil (synthetic/regular/blend) also makes a difference.

All that said...I still change mine every 3000 miles.

-peace

 

So why is it tha mobile 1 for example that u can go over 3000 miles. Whats the point of putting the most expensive oil you can buy in your car if your still going to change it at 3000 miles?
bowtieguy01

 

The point is that the most expensive stuff (full senthetic) lubricates the engine best.

 

Going longer between oil changes is NOT a reason to use synthetic. Providing better lubrication for a long-lasting engine is.

Since Vader is our oil guru, I just searched for some of his old posts:

10-08-2001
As RB and 6-Speed mentioned, it is probably far more important to change the oil and filter on a regular schedule than to try to stretch out oil changes on a premium or synthetic lubricant. The synthetics will lubricate better and longer, but either choice will accumlate dirt and contaminants in a short time in severe driving conditions. Read your owner's manual and you'll probably discover that the way you drive (like most everyone) is classified in the "severe" category.

Religious oil and filter changes at 5,000 km (3,000 mile) intervals will provide better service than 10,000 mile changes on synthetic, unless you do nothing but highway driving.

It is also important to remember that all the oil in the engine is pumped through the filter, so changing it is as important as changing the oil, if not more so. I've seen countless people over the years that would try to economize by changing the oil filter at every other oil change. The little that might be saved by keeping a portion of the dirty oil in an ever-shrinking filter is usually paid back many times over from early failure and the repair bills that go with it. Regular maintenance is the easiest and least expensive way to maintain your equipment in the long run.

Therefore, if the higher price of synthetics means you won't be changing your oil at regular intervals, do yourself a favor and buy a good quality mineral oil and change it more often. You'll be better off in the long run. If you don't mind spending the extra cash for synthetics, but still plan to change regularly, then go for the extra protection. Just don't stretch out the intervals more than 20% over mineral oils, and then only under the right conditions.

02-04-2001
This is a compilation of GM recommended service schedules from 1986-2000. Generally, it should be correct for routine maintenance on most ThirdGens. Incidentally, if you race your car, even between stop lights, you're in the "SEVERE" service category. If you operate you car when temperatures are below 32°F/0°C or above 90°F/35°C, you are in the "SEVERE" category. If your daily driving includes more than three stop lights in a five mile span, you are "SEVERE/Short Trip".

If you warm your car for five minutes, slowly start and drive under 45 MPH for the first five miles, then enter an expressway or highway for 15-20 miles of crusing, cool down the car for two minutes, then shut it off for a few hours, you are "NORMAL".

About 1.5% of drivers actually fall within the "Long Trip" or "Normal Service" category.

 

NONE

 

Call me crazy but I go 7,500 between changes. I'm about 99% freeway cruzing though. I check the oil every 2,500. At 5,000 it's not totally black, it still has some yellow and feels pretty slick between my thumb and finger. I've changed oil on other cars before and sometimes the oil pours out and feels like water not oil. I use Valvoline 10-30, oil pressure 55-60 psi freeway 40 psi
at hot idle. That works for me. That's a 92 TA 305 TPI BTW