[bstone]

I just completed my first ever oil change. I've always brough it to the shop but I decided to do it myself. It was way too easy. Here's the parts I used:

K&N Oil Filter
K&N Air Filter
Mobile 1 SUV/Truck engine oil 5W-30 (fully synthetic)
1 bottle of Lucas "oil stablizer" (does this stuff work??) link

Question about the oil stabilizer: Does it REPLACE one of the 5 quarts of oil or added in addition to the 5 quarts (for a total of 6)?

My vehicle is older, 1993, but the engine is new (Jasper rebuild). I hardly ever drive it during the school year since I live a 7 minute walk to school and they don't clean the strees in the winter. I did the oil change now since the crappy weather is coming and I didn't want to have to deal with it then.

I am rather proud of myself. I would enjoy feedback on the parts I used if anyone has useful and constructive feedback. I will accept witty comments from Ca$h.

[Cody Dawg]

It replaces one quart of oil.

[bstone]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It replaces one quart of oil.

What should one do if they accidently added it instead of replacing?

[Mastrap]

Not worry about it.

[zerostar]

I would drain 1 qt. till its where it should be on the stick. You can save it till your next change. Oil stabilizer is a waste IMO I just use 100% synthetic (Mobil 1) oil and change it every 15-20K miles. Now I use Mobil 1 extended 15K mile oil since it makes me feel a little better about all the miles I put on my cars.

K&N usually makes good products, a bit overpriced to me, the air filter with the oil are questionable as they have been shown to let too many particle thru, I use an OEM air filter for my regular maintenance, I also use an OEM filter and crush washer for my oil change nowadays

I used to get everything at: H and A-accessories.com
but with my infiniti I have to hunt around for those same parts online.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by zerostar

I would drain 1 qt. till its where it should be on the stick. You can save it till your next change. Oil stabilizer is a waste IMO I just use 100% synthetic (Mobil 1) oil and change it every 15-20K miles. Now I use Mobil 1 rxtended 15K mile oil since it makes me feel a little better about all the miles I put on my cars.

I use Amsoil in my car. My family has used it in their cars for 15 years. We've never had problems with it.

[Spliffdaddy]

Use a full synthetic motor oil (Mobil 1, for example) next time...not a "synthetic blend".

There's nothing else that comes close to the performance - or price ($5.00 US / qt)


edited: what he ^ said

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by Person Man

I use Amsoil in my car. My family has used it in their cars for 15 years. We've never had problems with it.

I used to use it until the price went up, on sale I can get the 5 qt Mobil 1 for far less and I can actually find it locally :-D Never had a problem with Mobil 1 and I've seen it on sale or with rebate for $16 for the 5qt.

[Spliffdaddy]

I use Mobil 1 in my abused '98 S-10 pickup. I've changed the oil 4 times so far - probably should change it again since it's about to hit 90,000 miles.

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

I use Mobil 1 in my abused '98 S-10 pickup. I've changed the oil 4 times so far - probably should change it again since it's about to hit 90,000 miles.

You've owned this since new?

I am not sure what schedule I want to put on my G35 I have don every 5K so-far and have 15K now, I am thinking of switching over to 15K intervals, what do you think?

The wifes and all my older cars got 15K intervals

[screamingFit]

I've been running full synthetic in my car since it's first oil change and changed it out religiously every 6k miles. That's following manufacturer guidelines on replacement but I've heard that that might be overkill?

I've also heard that since my engine is hitting 125,000 miles, I should switch over to regular 5w30 oil instead of synthetic. Anyone know of the validity of that?

I looked into AMS oil a long time ago but didn't feel comfortable with never changing the oil (basically) again. Just didn't "seem" right.

Being able to work on your own car, albeit nothing spectacular, is fairly rewarding and easy on the wallet. Having basically no more knowledge than, "put fuel in, press pedals and move a wheel", I've been able to change out the oil, plugs and brake pads.

[Cody Dawg]

Certain cars shouldn't use synthetic, especially if they've run on regular oil for a while. You can develop oil leaks for one thing with the seals. Secondly, it can move sludge in the motor (and sludge is a huge issue with certain motors - such as Toyota) and that might cause some serious problems. Some cars just don't run well on it. Better to go with a combo of synthetic + traditional first to see how it goes. For example, my Chevy Suburban knocks when using synthetic when you start it up. It's not pleasant. Better to just stay with regular oil and make sure it's changed every 3000 miles. Also, some people think that if they use synthetic that they can let the car go much further without an oil change and although certain manufacturers might say that, it's still better to change it every 3000 miles - especially the first couple of times. We use regular oil in our vehicles, change it every 3000 miles or after a long road trip, and our vehicles runs beautifully.

I only know this stuff because it's my husband's family's business nationally for 50+ years.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

I looked into AMS oil a long time ago but didn't feel comfortable with never changing the oil (basically) again. Just didn't "seem" right.

Every 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.

[Cody Dawg]

Notice that NO vehicle manufacturer recommends it either.

[screamingFit]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Certain cars shouldn't use synthetic, especially if they've run on regular oil for a while. You can develop oil leaks for one thing with the seals. Secondly, it can move sludge in the motor (and sludge is a huge issue with certain motors - such as Toyota) and that might cause some serious problems. Some cars just don't run well on it. Better to go with a combo of synthetic + traditional first to see how it goes. For example, my Chevy Suburban knocks when using synthetic when you start it up. It's not pleasant. Better to just stay with regular oil and make sure it's changed every 3000 miles. Also, some people think that if they use synthetic that they can let the car go much further without an oil change and although certain manufacturers might say that, it's still better to change it every 3000 miles - especially the first couple of times. We use regular oil in our vehicles, change it every 3000 miles or after a long road trip, and our vehicles runs beautifully.

I only know this stuff because it's my husband's family's business nationally for 50+ years.

Well, my car has run synthetic since it's first oil change and it's been fine. I've heard that you should never go from real -> synthetic because of the problems you mentioned. Just concerned now that I've got over 100,000 that synthetic won't work as well - that real oil will cling to the older engine parts better.

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Also, some people think that if they use synthetic that they can let the car go much further without an oil change and although certain manufacturers might say that, it's still better to change it every 3000 miles - especially the first couple of times.)

While I usually go full synthetic from the get-go in all my cars and change the first couple times at the 5K mark, the manual for both my last 2 cars called for changes at 10K with standard oil, I went 15K with full synth and never had a problem, put almost 160K on my honda and am well into 60K on my Infinity and it is less than 2 years old, I would be changing the oil literally every month at 3000 and that is s huge waste of $ to me.

I understand where you are coming from as this advice can directly effect you income, but the 3,000 change is a waste of time.

We recently ripped open the hondas engine to add a few upgraded parts (it is a 92 prelude that I gave to my cousin) the car has almost 300K and the inside is just beautiful, very little deposits and very clean, no buildup around the rings, looks like 100K or less. And that car used to go almost 20K between changes sometimes. My cousin is on these boards sometimes (I got him into macs) and he can attest and post pics if he feel like it..

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Well, my car has run synthetic since it's first oil change and it's been fine. I've heard that you should never go from real -> synthetic because of the problems you mentioned. Just concerned now that I've got over 100,000 that synthetic won't work as well - that real oil will cling to the older engine parts better.

I wouldn't worry about a thing unless you start noticing you are burning oil and have to add some, then I would switch to a blend or just a thicker sull-synth.

[Cody Dawg]

Why don't you do some Googling on oil sludge problems and you'll see what we're talking about.

I don't think Infinity had the oil sludge issues, however.

If a person is going to use synthetic they need to use it from the very beginning however some motors simply don't do as well with it for various reasons.

The fact is that I would never want to own a car that goes 20K between oil changes. Good thing you're keeping it.



The number #1 reason cars die is because of the motor being dirty, period, and usually that happens when the oil isn't changed.

If a person is so lazy as to not want to change their oil every 3000 miles (for regular) or even cheap then they deserve to have a motor develop problems IMO. Oil changes are relatively inexpensive and the cheapest way to maintain and save a motor.

My husband is the person who handles legal issues and claims and I don't think there is anything that he doesn't know about every single motor. He can use a finger and taste and smell oil and tell you whether it has metal in it, dirt in it, etc. He can look at the color of the metal on certain parts of motor and tell you if the engine runs hot or if it ever ran hot. He's really amazing. We have some race car buddies (they race cars professionally including Jeff Gordon) and they get him to come over and check out the motors on cars that they own or want to buy.

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Why don't you do some Googling on oil sludge problems and you'll see what we're talking about.

I don't think Infinity had the oil sludge issues, however.

If a person is going to use synthetic they need to use it from the very beginning.

I agree with you on all those points, never did i disagree or say every car needs to run synt. And no, my infinity came with full synth and thats all it ever had.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

The number #1 reason cars die is because of the motor being dirty, period, and usually that happens when the oil isn't changed.

Here is a REAL test of Mobil 1:
Mobil 1 Test Results

This show oil tests at multiple paid OIL LABs not some jiffy-shop. This shows at 10K the oil is still very clean and still has plenty of viscosity, not till around 16K is the oil breaking down and developing microscopic metals that are out of the normal range, look at the numbers and compare it to conventional oil at 3000, you will see double and triple the benefit in some cases.

Of course driving habits and driving areas all differ and will affect your results so if you are concerned a sample analysts is around $20. Oil looking dirty or black is different than oil being dirty or harming your engine. Even in dusty south Florida driving 140+ miles a day at 80-85MPH my oil was well within spec at 10K. I just change the filter and it drops back down for just about another 5K

[Cody Dawg]

Just to let you know a little secret, my husband's family's business has to do with Mobil oil products so I know all about Mobil 1. My husband works with the labs routinely for various reasons. Mobil 1 is the very best. They're working on a new oil product that is going to be phenomenal when it's available to the public.

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Just to let you know a little secret, my husband's family's business has to do with Mobil oil products so I know all about Mobil 1. My husband works with the labs routinely.

Yes I know this, we already had this discussion actually and you live a few miles south of me in Jupiter no?. Deja Vu huh...

[zerostar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

They're working on a new oil product that is going to be phenomenal when it's available to the public.

Yes it will last 3,500 miles now! Kidding.. :-) So if your so involved with Mobil do you not sell the 15K oil?

"all while helping to keep your engine clean. Improvements that add up to exceptional protection for 15,000 miles"
Mobil 1 Extended Performance