Mobil1 in my 4th gen

[hikenbike]

Just a quick question...... In late summer/early fall I put 0w-30 Mobil1 in my truck about 5k miles ago (I don't put many miles on the truck obviously). I Plan to have it go to 7-8k before I replace it.

I checked it today and it's a medium brown color on the dip stick. Is this Ok or is synthetic supposed to stay clear to light brown when used for this long?

Thanks

 

[NuclearN8]

I never change oil based on color. I use mobil1 synthetic and change it at 5000 +/-500 mile intervals even though this is probably overkill for a full synthetic oil, oil is cheap, new motor is not.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

I never change oil based on color. I use mobil1 synthetic and change it at 5000 +/-500 mile intervals even though this is probably overkill for a full synthetic oil, oil is cheap, new motor is not.

I agree with you but there are some members here that change there oil at 10000 miles.

 

[MikeInNH]

I've NEVER seen any manufacturer change their oil change interval based on using regular or synthetic oil. Could someone show me one??

Synthetic oil doesn't break down as easily as regular dyno oil. And has better thermal dynamics...but it can still get contaminated just as easily as dyno oil.

Stick with the 5k oil change interval. It's cheap insurance.

 

[NuclearN8]

I've NEVER seen any manufacturer change their oil change interval based on using regular or synthetic oil. Could someone show me one??

Synthetic oil doesn't break down as easily as regular dyno oil. And has better thermal dynamics...but it can still get contaminated just as easily as dyno oil.

Stick with the 5k oil change interval. It's cheap insurance.

really? because 20 years ago when everyone recommended 3000 mile oil change interval I would bet that was based on the use of conventional oil since synthetic was just coming on the scene... now, when synthetic is the norm, not the exception, oil change intervals by most manufacturers are 5-6,000 miles easy. Some manufacturers, like VW and toyota, even recommend 10,000 mile oil changes on some of their models. Sure improved manufacturing tolerances have helped this increased interval... but I think it's a combination of improved manufacturing quality and improved man-made synthetic oil properties.

What are the oil change intervals using synthetic oil?

Carefree Maintenance < Why VW < Volkswagen of America

Bottom line is I think you're right and it's hard to go wrong with 5K interval, regardless the type of oil one uses. As you say, it's cheap insurance.

ps. I think it's thermodynamic properties

 

[hikenbike]

Thanks all. I really just wanted to know if I should expect to see any real discoloration in the oil at all from when I first put it in. This was my first time using synthetic in my 4runner and my wife's Pilot.

We both put little miles on the trucks with lots of short 1-5 mile trips so I thought synthetic would be more appropriate for this kind of driving (especially in winter) and from what I read synthetic could easily stand 7-8k mile change intervals. I'll likely change the oil only twice per year for each truck since we only do 10-12k per year.

 

[gm350reratliff]

If you really want to know how long you can leave your engine oil in, get an oil analysis. Much more in depth than judging color.

Blackstone Labs

Gasoline engines will all start to turn the oil darker as time and mileage adds up just due to how gasoline burns. How you use your vehicle will also play a role in this. The only vehicles I've seen that truely keep the oil clean are CNG and propane fueled. FWIW, my 118k mile 4runner keeps the oil cleaner than my 35k mile f150 ecoboost but that has more to due to the inherent nature of direct injection creating more carbon than a port injection set-up.

 

[DC runner]

Color is not indicative of performance, nor longevity. Mobil 1 synthetic was recently tested by a member and found to still be performing exactly as it should at 7500, with the lab suggesting it would last until at least 9500 and probably longer.

Second. Even current conventional exceeds conventional formulas 20 years ago. 5k has become the standard change interval, without degradation of oil, for most oils (baring your bargin basement, no name brands).

Finally, as important oil is, so is a filter. Don't buy premium oil and a crappy filter. If the filter isn't removing carbon by product and combustion gas products from the oil every pass then you will have oil go bad quicker. When I use mobil 1, I don't get the crappy fram Autozone always seems to pair together for a sale and always get the extended duty mobil 1. Never any issues.

 

[cloudrunner]

Color is not indicative of performance, nor longevity. Mobil 1 synthetic was recently tested by a member and found to still be performing exactly as it should at 7500, with the lab suggesting it would last until at least 9500 and probably longer.

Second. Even current conventional exceeds conventional formulas 20 years ago. 5k has become the standard change interval, without degradation of oil, for most oils (baring your bargin basement, no name brands).

Finally, as important oil is, so is a filter. Don't buy premium oil and a crappy filter. If the filter isn't removing carbon by product and combustion gas products from the oil every pass then you will have oil go bad quicker. When I use mobil 1, I don't get the crappy fram Autozone always seems to pair together for a sale and always get the extended duty mobil 1. Never any issues.

Same here. I change it every 5-6k with Mobil 1 5w30 synthetic along with a Mobil 1 filter. 98,500 miles and the engine purrs like a kitten.

 

[28.]

Agreed with everyone.. I use castrol full synthetic 5w30 with Bosch filters on both my 4runner and Landcruiser. Change it in Fall and Spring. Runner is right at 190K+ and Landcruiser at 88K..

 

[snOhio]

If you really want to know how long you can leave your engine oil in, get an oil analysis. Much more in depth than judging color.

Blackstone Labs

Gasoline engines will all start to turn the oil darker as time and mileage adds up just due to how gasoline burns. How you use your vehicle will also play a role in this. The only vehicles I've seen that truely keep the oil clean are CNG and propane fueled. FWIW, my 118k mile 4runner keeps the oil cleaner than my 35k mile f150 ecoboost but that has more to due to the inherent nature of direct injection creating more carbon than a port injection set-up.

+1 on the used oil analysis. Modern synthetic lubricants are a decade more developed than the lubricants that were originally specified for this engine. A UOA can help you understand how well the oil is doing and how your engine is wearing.

 

[jswinkT4R]

Toyota also recommends when you should change your oil. I can't remember where exactly, somewhere on the air box or on the underside of the hood it should give you their recommendations. My 2nd gen says every 5,000 miles for off road driving conditions and every 7,000 for on road conditions. I think the 3,000 mile number is something these oil companies made up to make you buy oil more often.

 

[MikeInNH]

because 20 years ago when everyone recommended 3000 mile oil change interval I would bet that was based on the use of conventional oil since synthetic was just coming on the scene...now, when synthetic is the norm, not the exception,

It is no where near the norm. Engines that REQUIRE synthetic oil are still in the MINORITY by a long shot. When synthetic oil first hit main stream....the ONLY people recommending the extended oil change intervals were the oil manufacturers.

oil change intervals by most manufacturers are 5-6,000 miles easy.

Have you read your owners manual? The 5k oil change interval THAT'S CLEARLY OUTLINED IN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL...does NOT say to use Synthetic. It clearly says use any oil that meets the rating (I think it's SL). Says NOTHING about using synthetic oil.

Regular dyno oil has improved greatly over the years. There is no need for synthetic oil is MOST cases for most engines.

Some manufacturers, like VW and toyota, even recommend 10,000 mile oil changes on some of their models.

So does BMW. Now go to the BMW forums and see how many people are having sludge problems with their engines. You'll find a large disturbing number.

 

[jwyshrek]

There is also another problem with the longer oil change intervals...especially those, unlike us, who don't 'pop their hoods' at every or every other fill up...low oil level well before the oil change interval point.

FAQ Whitepaper

Yahoo!

Check your dipstick!

 

[Derek]

Same here. I change it every 5-6k with Mobil 1 5w30 synthetic along with a Mobil 1 filter. 98,500 miles and the engine purrs like a kitten.

I do the exact same thing. I always seem to find deals on Mobil1 so I get 5 qts and a Mobil1 filter for around $30. I just changed it yesterday and I'm at 95,000 miles.

 

[NuclearN8]

[MENTION=15213]MikeInNH[/MENTION] , We can agree to disagree. OP, good luck to ya, oil change intervals are always touchy subjects on forums like this but I think we can all agree that if you stay around 5k miles (regardless oil chosen) you'll be alright. Good luck.

 

[toyo]

Change it every 5K if it's a V6 and 7500 on the V8 and they will last longer than you want them to.

My father in law has an older Tundra with the 4.7 and he has changed his oil every 7500K miles with Castrol 15/W40!!!! Has 323K miles on it the last time I looked.

 

[MikeInNH]

Castrol 15/W40!!!!

Where the heck does he live that he can use 15w-40. Here in NH we've had temps at -20. At -20 degrees...15w is like molasses.

 

[toyo]

He lives in Florida.
The reason some of the manufactures are having sludge, premature wear is they changed the change interval to 15K. It's no coincidence that it's also when they started the free maintenance programs. They think we are all so stupid! I don't care what type of oil you use, 15K on oil is pretty taxing.

 

[zimdba]

So does BMW. Now go to the BMW forums and see how many people are having sludge problems with their engines. You'll find a large disturbing number.

There's a generally held belief among that BMW community that I've observed: if you own your car and want to keep it you put it on an accelerated maintenance program. Oil changes every 5K instead of 15K, plugs every 20K instead of 40K for example. I'd have to look up AT and diff fluid intervals.

The people who tend to have all the problems seem to be the ones who keep their car and follow the BMW recommended schedule. And to your point, holy crap those pictures are terrible!

BTW, all of the BMW engines I've owned (S54, N54, N52) have all recommended synthetic.