Regular Oil Changes

hottweelz

hottweelz

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So if you have a Lincoln or a Caddy, or even some other cars, that tells you "Oil Life x%..." Do you live by it or just change every 3500 miles or 7000 (hiway)? I'm currently at 3000 miles and it's telling me 62% Oil Life left but I see it as having 500 miles left...
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It seems like I change mine just a bit over a month with all the driving that I do......but I try to be religious at the 3K mile marker.....
 
Well on the Seville, the intake leaks pretty bad so I get about 50% on the computer then I have to add oil. Other than that I try for every 3000 - 5000. Sometimes that doesn't happen but hey I try.

I would also like to add that I have a ritual I go through for oil changing. I add Marvel mystery oil like a day or so before I plan to change the oil. My theory is that it will loosen any sludge or whatever and put it in the filter or pan. Then when I change the oil I use only WIX filters and Vavoline 10W 30. In addition I also add STP oil treatment to every fresh change.

Call it superstitious, crazy, or tell me that stuff doesn't work but all my vehicles are driven to high mileage like my current Seville which recently turned 200,000 :)
 
I try my best to go by the rule of 3k, but due to the fact that I drive alot and most of my miles are hwy miles I may fudge to the 4k to 5k.

Oil is my biggest trouble. In another thread I asked about what type of oils to use. I like synthetic blend oils as I feel they give you the best of both worlds.

But I like to listen to those who spend more time with the engine of their cars to give advise on what is best.

How many of you change your own oil? and if you don't where do you get it done?
 
I change my own oil every 3000 religiously. I stopped having it done for me for two reasons. First, it costs 3x to have it done as opposed to doing it myself. Second, no matter how many times I have told the place to pull the second drain plug, they never do. So I do it in my driveway. That way I know what has been done, and save myself $15 at the same time.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
I change my own oil every 3000 religiously. I stopped having it done for me for two reasons. First, it costs 3x to have it done as opposed to doing it myself. Second, no matter how many times I have told the place to pull the second drain plug, they never do. So I do it in my driveway. That way I know what has been done, and save myself $15 at the same time.
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:iagree:
 
Lucas is also a great additive. I just have never used it for whatever reason. I also agree that synthetic's are better but I don't think you can let them go like regular oils.

I think someone said they gum up quickly. Has anyone experienced this? Also I've heard that once you use a synthetic oil you should never go back. I don't really know, but I know what has worked for me, and yes I change my own.
Joeychgo said:
I change at 3000 but I use synthetic with lucas treatment.
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codewize said:
Lucas is also a great additive. I just have never used it for whatever reason. I also agree that synthetic's are better but I don't think you can let them go like regular oils.

I think someone said they gum up quickly. Has anyone experienced this? Also I've heard that once you use a synthetic oil you should never go back. I don't really know, but I know what has worked for me, and yes I change my own.
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Lucas is good stuff.

For synthetic, I have never heard of "gumming up" under any circumstance. I'm not sure what that means, either. Synthetic is better at keeping everything clean, as well as lubrication. You can switch back and forth as you please between conventional and synthetic, although I wouldn't understand why. You should let synthetic go for longer than conventional, as it stays cleaner longer and keeps things running smoothly longer. With synthetic it is good to change the oil filter every 5,000 and the oil every 10,000. The major problem with synthetic is that it cleans so well. So, when you switch to it on a 10 year old, 150,000 mile car, it cleans out a lot of crap that was built up over the years. That buildup has been sealing leaks for a long time, and now those leaks come to life. It's not the synthetics fault, but people blame it anyway.
 
With synthetic it is good to change the oil filter every 5,000 and the oil every 10,000.
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This is exactly the reason I change every 3000. It isnt because the oil breaks down that fast. Its because you have more cleaning properties, and thus more for the filter to filter. Accordingly, the filter can get clogged quicker. SO I do the 3000 mile change more to change the filter then anything. Its also a safety edge in my book.

I use lucas in both my engine and transmission. Its a good treatment IMO, and makes things like transmissions last a little longer.
 
Joeychgo said:
This is exactly the reason I change every 3000. It isnt because the oil breaks down that fast. Its because you have more cleaning properties, and thus more for the filter to filter. Accordingly, the filter can get clogged quicker. SO I do the 3000 mile change more to change the filter then anything.
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:iagree:
 
5,000-8,000 for me, and that's because the filter doesn't last. If the filter could take it, I'd go about 10K.
 
Well I'm at about 3400 and it's telling me "Low Oil Level" ... this car says "Low Oil Level" whenever it hits half a quart low... isn't that a little mellow dramatic?
 
hottweelz said:
Well I'm at about 3400 and it's telling me "Low Oil Level" ... this car says "Low Oil Level" whenever it hits half a quart low... isn't that a little mellow dramatic?
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Well, most cars hold about 5qt. If you are missing 1/2qt, then you are missing 10% of your lubrication. That's not good. I would consider that warning a good thing!
 
I think it's a little excessive. Both my cars say that when it's 3 quarts low. Not that I let that happen often but as I said the Seville intake gasket leaks pretty bad.


hottweelz said:
Well I'm at about 3400 and it's telling me "Low Oil Level" ... this car says "Low Oil Level" whenever it hits half a quart low... isn't that a little mellow dramatic?
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JoshMcMadMac said:
Well, most cars hold about 5qt. If you are missing 1/2qt, then you are missing 10% of your lubrication. That's not good. I would consider that warning a good thing!
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The Mark VIII 4.6 takes 7 quarts of oil, and apparently it's doing its job at .5 qt it warns you... it's just an anal computer I guess. So when you're 1/14th low it starts warning you... crazy
 
hottweelz said:
The Mark VIII 4.6 takes 7 quarts of oil, and apparently it's doing its job at .5 qt it warns you... it's just an anal computer I guess. So when you're 1/14th low it starts warning you... crazy
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Oh wow. Well I suppose this is a bit excessive, but I guess that's a good thing. It tells you to ad 1/2 a quart, so you know you'll never toast the engine for being low on oil!
 
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