Still in the dark ages OLD JEEP> "Mine burns about 1/2-3/4 quart in 3000 miles, which is my normal change interval." Do you realize the drain interval is 8000 miles! It was upped from 6000! That is on what you like DINO oil. Not even synthetic. Giving up 3000 mile oil changes is like quiting smoking. Its difficult. But you CAN do it. I had severe withdrawals but managed. You can too. I Wish the Dodge had a OLM that gave a countdown like my vette. My vette has gotten approximately 6500 miles on the oil and is showing 53% before change. My Marquis its every 7500.

 

Synthetic junk? I've been running only synthetic (per manufacturer's recommendation) on 12 - 15000 km (7500 to 9500 mile) oil change intervals in my BMW and it has never required oil top up between changes. When can I expect these serious problems you mentioned? Car only has 330,000 km on it....

My 2009 Ram Hemi now has 107,000 km on it. Only use synthetic on 8 - 10,000 km oil changes. Haven't had to top up between changes.

 

There is no reason to be "topping up" between oil changes. The acceptable range on the dipstick is about a quart. If you are going 8-10K between oil changes on your Hemi then I assume you don't have the lifetime warranty? Or don't care about following the mfg maint schedule?

Synthetic junk = unnecessary for cars where the mfg does not require it.

 

8000 is the oil change interval. It was UPPED from 6000. Same as the tow ratings were upped. No change in the truck. But NOWHERE is 3000 specified.

 

Sorry - didn't see KM in his post was thinking miles.

 

That messes with me to. I see KLM and think Vietnam. LOL

 

8 - 10,000 km is within the mfg maint schedule. I don't rely on the oil change monitor--as it happens my oil changes are before the oil life monitor indicates a change is necessary. I do a lot of highway driving.

My own personal conviction is that synthetic oil is much better than conventional. It flows better at low temp (I live in Canada = cold winters) and it also offers better protection in high heat (I tow a boat). Synthetic oil also offers much better protection against engine sludge. With "thin" oils like 5w20 I'm just more comfortable using synthetic.

The bottom line for me is that I change my own oil, and my time is the same whether I use regular oil or synthetic. Oil filter cost is the same. I buy Castrol Edge full synthetic at Costco for about $6.50 quart and the nominal additional cost to me is worth it. IMHO.

 

BullyT, i have to agree 100% with your comments.
Myself, i use valvoline syn-power. Always still on the fullmark when i change mine.
The old oil is always still pretty clean looking when i dump it out too.
Do i change my oil & filter too soon...? Nope..! At 5,000 miles, it all gets replaced.

 

Some oil is actually fed back into the intake.....get a billet catch can and you wont have to ever really clean your intake that gets dirty of time and decreases your gas milage. At each oil change this can for me is about 3/4 full.Billet Technology Signature Series Catch Can 5.7 or 6.1 Hemi Engines

 

I would like to add a foot note to my post.

My Dodge runs on LPG and petrol, the LPG system is operated by computer which runs in tandem with the OEM ECU or what ever it is called now as it's a multi port system. Now i have to have the gas(LPG) system serviced every 2-3 years to change the filters etc. when i last had it serviced, the technician told me that the computer had an error code saying "small oil leak".

I don't know if this was picked up by the OEM or LPG computer, anyway he said that most of the Hemi's he services show the same code as do most Ford's. I dont know if how to find this leak as no leakage is visable, or it is just being burnt due to a bad set if piston rings or being lost somewhere else.

I have noticed that twice in the last 12 months, the code for high voltage in sensor 2, bank 2 has shown up, which would suggest that perhaps this sensor is getting more fumes than it should do from time to time. Each time i clear the code, and it dosn't return for may be 9 months.