My Magnum R/T has needed two oil changes in just 3,000 miles from new. In both cases the oil was jet black. The car now has 3,500 on the clock and an inspection of the dipstick shows that the engine is again breaking down the oil prematurely.

When I took it in for the first oil change (at 1300 miles) I asked the dealer to run routine diagnostic checks. Nothing showed up from this.

The bottom half inch of the dipstick is now thick black and the rest shows deterioration of the oil which one would reasonably expect after several thousand (maybe even 10,000) miles.

Why is this happening?

I don't thrash the car - it's in cruise control at 55-65mph much of the time to save (costly!) fuel. Yes, I have my moments of adrenalin - don't we all -but the car can handle it. I must say, though, that this hemi seems much less refined than the hemi in the 300C I traded in for the Magnum.

 

go with a full synthetic like mobil1 5w-20

 

I have a little over 3K miles on my oil and it still has a golden color. I've never seen oil last that long without turning black. I figure I can take it to 4K before I change. I don't think I have synthetic. My first (3) oil changes were free from the dealer so that's why I also don't think there is synthetic in my car. I also have an R/T. I got the car in May '06 and I'm just short of turning 13K miles on it.

 

oil turning black is normal. all engines produce some blow-by around the rings. these spent gases contain carbon, a by-product of combustion. the carbon is dissolved into the oil where it can be removed from the engine during oil changes.

 

Thanks for the replies - I may indeed go with the synthetic route next time.

The point I was making is that I have never known any engine break down oil so fast. An oil change every 1,500 miles is surely excessive - and maybe indicative that something is wrong somewhere?

My wife bought an 08 Cadillac CTS at the same time I got my Magnum. Like me, she has covered 3,500 miles in the same time frame. Her oil looks almost as fresh as the day it was new (and the dashboard readout shows that 80% oil life still remains).I have been motoring for 25 years and have driven almost every type of vehicle you can imagine, and never before have I had seen truly filthy jet black oil at 1,500 miles - and again at 3,000 miles.