Heavier weight oil interval change
 

Are there any generally accepted opinions on how to handle oil change intervals when it comes to using heavier weight?

For my recent track day I went up to 05-30w, which is heavier weight than stock. But according to the shop that did some work, including the oil change, it should be due for another oil change after about 4 months or 3-4k miles. That's quicker than factory spec.

Do intervals usually matter when it comes to the viscosity of the oil currently sitting in the car or no? The reason I ask is because I'm wondering if I can go by the standard, manual interval for our car or if I am required to follow the interval the shop wrote on the windshield sticker.

Thanks!

Depends on a number of factors like driving habits, mods, milage, and weather/temp. Best practice is to check your oil frequently and you can see/feel when the oil is getting dark and gritty, then change it.

I personally change my oil around 3,600 and I'm running 0w40. I would agree that it's a good idea to change your oil early but again multiple factors will play into how long your oil will last.

Also never a bad idea to get a used oil analysis from Blackstone. Should cost about $30 but gives alot of cool insight on how your oil is performing.

It doesn't matter, but the more you track/stay in high rpm the more often you should change.

I change oil whenever I started feeling the engine is getting rough. :cheers: I think it's pretty good indicator by itself......... on top of that I try to change oil every 5-6k miles. (*sometimes 8k, a trip to canada is already 3k! which I do once every two year since I own the car.)

The shop sticker always says to change it more frequently than you have to. They want you back in the shop as often as possible. If they put a synthetic oil in, just wait for the regular service interval.

Though you might want to up that because of the track day?

Yeah....cause track days really fuck up our cars... lol.

Change it when ever you feel like it. It's an oil change, not like this car is fragile as a Ferrari. More like some owners are. Lol.

If I was anal about this car I'll do the oil change every 3 months regardless. But I'm not I do it every 6 months or 5k. Which ever come first. I might change it for an upcoming track day. Maybe.

DAMN … DandoX, how far back-in-the-day did you reach to come up with that? :D

I haven't felt "gritty" crankcase oil since they started putting oil filters on cars.


:popcorn:


humfrz

:eyebulge: .. are you being serious..?? (bolded part).


humfrz

Wasn't worried about the track day itself haha, only done one and probably not doing another for a while because it's too hot now.

More just added that in since it's the reason I have the heavier weight oil :iono:.

Great advice though, thanks! Just new to having to consider these kinds of things..or not, really. lol.

DANG, spike021, you're sounding like a newbie today ….:eyebulge:

I suggest you follow the oil change intervals as outlined in the maintenance manual …. regardless of the oil weight used.

As far as your local Bubba giving oil change frequency advice, he/she is most likely trying to sell more oil and service.


;)


humfrz

Haha knew you'd make a comment like this :thumbsup:. I was planning to just follow the manual's schedule. Just wondered if I could be wrong because the label had different numbers!

Numbers are hard. :bs:

Yes, he is, and so am I. I've always been able to feel it. If you can't, it's just because you aren't paying attention.

How does one "feel" when oil is getting gritty? Do I even want to know?

Oil appearance generally can't tell you if the oil is ready to be changed. Even a super dark and gross looking oil could test just fine on a UOA.

I thought that was you that thought you could feel the difference in how an engine ran between old oil and new oil.


I still think that's hogwash …:popcorn:


Can anyone else feel the difference …or am I just numb ..??


humfrz