Theoretically, you could change your oil at 6K and your filter at 3K...as a sort of compromise. I just changed my oil after 3 months and had only driven like 2K miles.

 

I would agree with you with the 2 following qualifications.

#1. The oil be synthetic
#2. The can used to catch the oil has never been used before and is totaly clean

I still wouldnt run synthetic much past 4500-6000 miles depending upon stresses of the motor (driving style)

 

That would make sense, but I would prolly just let the lost oil go and top it off with fresh.

Just guessing but, I take it you don't buy into the oil that Mobil 1 makes, guaranteed to protect up to 15K?

 

[sm=bs.gif]

Thats a really good bit of marketing there. That nonsense was devoloped to put women at ease. Its actually some of the BEST marketing in the last 10 years for new cars as far as Im concerned. The idea behind the so called "protection" that they offer is that the chemical additives (such as tefflon) that can clean/keep clean for the 15k lifespan. The oil, though synthetic, does not appear to have been engineered any diffrently than other synthetics. The first time the 10k/15k oils debued were in NEW production cars from the likes of GM and BMW. Women do not tend to like regular maintence and to hear that they only need to change the oil every 15k is a huge selling point to prospective buyers. Since 54% of the united states is female, this goes a long way to hit their demographics right where they want it.

 

That's a good point... I would never go over 6K/6 months anyway, but what about Amsoil? They say normal driving = 15K/1 YR. They seem to be very reputable with a long history in the synthetic business. I just couldn't stand it that long. Even at 6 months, I will check mine after 3 to make sure it still looks good/feels good. My Dad always told me, son, the life of your engine comes from regular oil changes... Now many years later, I tell my wife the same thing...no kids to tell yet...

 

if the oil is doing its job, it should be dirty. looking at it won't accomplish anything. change ur oil, its cheap insurance.

 

No nothing to do with iPhones [sm=wtf.gif]

Its basedon experience, knowledge andfacts backed by Independent used oil analysis.
Modern engines run cleaner, have better venting systems and are built with longer lasting components.
Fuel and engine oils are refined to much better standards. Most of the pollutants and trace elements have been removed and don't contribute to oil degradation like they used to.
Oil filter efficiency has also increased.

Even most factory oil monitoring systems don't recommend 3k oil changes any more.

Teflon in Mobil 1??? Who told you Teflon was a cleaning agent any way?

 

yeah right...my oil don't get dirty...you could eat out of my engine... i hear you...but i trust fully synthetic oil for 6K/6 months...

 

If you really want to know how well It's protecting take a sample and send it out for testing. It only costs $20-$25.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard_analysis.html

They will analyse the oil and make recommendations based on what they find.
I recently went 13k on mass market synthetic and 1 filter
and all was fine. They said 15k would probably be fine if I wanted to try it next time.
I've seen reports from Walmart oil that went 6-8k no problem with a $2 filter (Walmart)

 

That $20 would get me another oil change... I believe that using synthetic oil and a Napa Gold (or other) filter will be fine for 6K/6 months... I don't care if it would last longer, cause I like to change my oil and 6 months is as long as I can wait.[8D]