What's the latest data on the optimal synthetic oil change interval? I read some previous posts where some did synthetic oil analysis beyond the 5K miles interval and the synthetic oil was still good. Does anyone have some (new) data to share? Thanks Dave
http://priuschat.com/forums/care-ma...ting/39648-extended-oil-change-intervals.html Attached is my 10k report
Hi Evan, Interesting Blackstone oil report. This data is based on 3 quarts of engine oil (not 3.5 quarts). Is that correct? The comment from the Blackstone engine oil analysis that your "Prius is doing quite a bit better than most we have tested" - I wonder whether Blackstone is comparing other Priuses, or more generally other cars (including non-Priuses)? Your driving style may effect this engine oil analysis. Does your driving pattern involve frequent cold engine turn ons (i.e. parked for an hour or more) or do you drive a long distance twice a day (to and from work) where the conditions of a cold engine is turned on only twice a day? Do you use a engine heater that pre-heats the engine before you start it? I am just trying to understand how I should extrapolate your results to my Prius that I start typically twice a day and do a 100 mile daily commute (roundtrip). I live near the coast in California so it rarely freezes in Winter and my Prius is kept in the garage overnight, although the garage temperature can drop to 40F. I really appreciate you sharing the data. Thanks Dave ****Blackstone Oil Analysis Report Comments***** "EVAN: We suggested trying 8,000 miles and you chose a 10,000-mile oil change, but your 1.5L Toyota took that oil run in stride. There was only a minor increase in aluminum and iron while lead stayed the same. All of the wear metals read dead on to the universal averages for this type of 4-cylinder, which are based on a 6,700-mile oil run. So, your Prius is doing quite a bit better than most we have tested. The TBN was 2.4, showing some active additive left. Try ~12,000 miles for your next oil change and check back for another look at wear."
Hi Dave, Your insight into this is accurate and thoughtful. I have INfrequent cold starts as I us an Engine Block heater both at home and at work. I use around 3 1/4 to 3.5 quarts of oil when I change...usually closer to 3.5. My commute is ~15 miles and my speed never exceeds 40mph, I tend to P&G and my ICE on time is usually about 33-40% (depends how cold it is, traffic and how careful I'm being). I usually have at least 150 miles of highway miles per tank...my best tanks are the ones that I have no highway trips...so it's not exclusively commute driving. I also do some shorter (5 miles) trips to pick up kids and run errands closer to home each tank. While I suspect the 100 mile commute would also be pretty easy on the oil since it means fewer cold starts it's certainly reasonable to take it 5k-7.5k, get a UOA done and see where you are....but I think you're going to find you can easily go 10k...remember, that's the recommendation in Europe for the Prius.
Time (not miles) for synthetic oil change interval In my case, I wonder what effect time and New York City weather changes have on the oil. I use Mobil 1 and wouldn't mind changing my oil every 5000 or 10,000 miles. But I don't drive much --- in 13 months, I have fewer than 3000 miles on the car (and less than 2000 miles since I did my first and only oil change with Mobil 1 at the 1000 mile mark). In terms of time only, how many months can I go before needing to change my Mobil 1 oil? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Just to be explicit, the 10K recommendation in Europe for the Prius is for non-sythetic or synthetic oil? I have read that american oil (non-synthetic) can be of inferior quality relative to the standards of european (non-synthetic) oil. Thanks Dave
Re: Time (not miles) for synthetic oil change interval I have a Ford Explorer that I have only driven about 1k per year for the last two years. I use Mobil 1 in the Explorer and change once a year. Even with low mileage, water and other contamination can accumulate in the crankcase. BTW Toyota recommends 5k or 6mos, whichever comes first for the US Prius. I think the European Prius recommendation is 10k or 12 mos. Maybe someone can confirm or refute this? UOA of course is the best way to tell, because it will be specific to your car and your local driving conditions.
Thanks Dogfriend. Yeah I knew about the "whichever comes first" business. But I'm still doubtful about that advice in general, and with respect to synthetic oil in particular. I think I'm going to do what you do with your 1000 miles a year Explorer -- change the synthetic oil once a year.
In Europe we have 15k km / one year oil change interval. So, it's around 9300 miles. I think that there is no recommendation in between organic and synthetic oil. There is only a requirement to fullfill API SL or SM standard.
I've always used Mobil 1 and change it every 10K miles, no sooner. In fact I've been doing that for the last 15 years. Before my Prius, my 1991 Plymouth Laser Turbo was still running great, not burning any oil, at 130K (before I inadvertently drove it into a flood). I think 10K miles is probably still too short an interval. Its a waste of oil and bad for the environment to change synthetic oil any sooner than every 10K miles.
I live in Texas, and just bought a used 2005. I am going to go with the Penzoil Platinum 0W 20 the next time I change, which will be in early April. I went to the Toyota dealer for the first change, and they put in their 5W 20, and I immediately got better mileage than the 5W 30 Castrol Syntec that had been in the car when I bought it. I am thinking that the 0W 20 will be the most economical of all, and with the PP being a synthetic, I am eager to try it. I am planning to go to 7,500 miles the first time to see how it goes.
I guess there is no telling what the dealer actually uses for oil changes? My over riding concern would be that a non dealer would not know the proper oil quantity nor the procedures for working on the car so no damage to the systems result. I wonder if the dealer would use my mobil 1 and his filter? Im only at 1200 miles now so have time to think on that some.
I took mine to the dealer that I bought the car from for the first oil change. They overfilled it by about 1/2 pint. I have done the subsequent oil changes myself. The best way to guard against overfill if you have someone else change the oil is to check it after they return the car. You might hurt their feelings, but they will get over it. Several people on PriusChat supply their own oil and have the dealer perform the work. If they won't do this for you, then you should find someone else.
After checking with my dealer first I stocked up on Mobil 1 (when it was on sale) and now take my own oil for oil changes at the dealer. (they use their own oil filter). I suggest that you try the same with your dealer. Also suggest that you take only as much oil with you as you want them to put it, otherwise there is a chance they overfill. This happened to me against my expressed wishes. I talked to the service manager and he made them take out the excess. Gabe
Most likely, a bulk lube system is in place. There is either a barrel or a large tote bin that a tanker refills. You really have no idea what oil is sourced, probably whatever is the cheapest when the order is placed It's very easy to contaminate the bulk lube system. I do industrial engineering and for a long time, a desiccant breather system has been standard for lube oil tanks. Every bulk lube system I've seen used by a dealership has a simple inverted pipe - with a screen - as a breather vent. I suppose the screen keeps out mice and insects, the moisture and dirt go right in I had some very odd early used oil analysis reports. Finally managed to snag a virgin sample of the bulk lube dealer oil. It was crap, and contaminated too
I second that and have to add that EVERY time I gave them 4 quarts and said "Put in 3.5, give me .5 back", they screwed it up. And when I gave them 3.5 and said I wanted an empty back (so I can do 3.5 the next time), they found that difficult to figure out as well. I finally gave up on the 'experts' and put in a Fumoto drain valve. It takes longer to drain but is a lot easier and much less messy than pulling the bolt every time. I drain it directly into a 1 gallon milk bottle which I can take to the land fill for proper disposal. Loosen the wheel nuts, jack it up and you can rotate the tires while you wait I have a low profile hydraulic jack and raise the front, put in 2 jack stands, then jack the back, leaving it on the jack. I use a Toyota filter from the dealer's parts dept and give them back the drain bolt washer they throw in the box for free. They charge $1 for it if you have THEM change the oil!
Bruce, I want to believe that the landfill is just the place you deliiver the engine oil for recycling. Not that they dump it there for you. Such a thing should not be happening in Burlington of all places.
