When Should I change oil filter if I'm keep adding oil?

[latestgood]

Hello,

I have a 2002 Saturn SL2. Well, my car burns one quart of oil for every 400-600 miles. Considering this, when I should I change my oil filter? Should I change it every 6,000 miles?
Also, if I change my oil from a chain store from a GOODYEAR, does it matter if I use different oil brand. Currently I am using Shell 5W-30

Thank you

['97ventureowner]

I would follow your car manufacturer's recommendations on the interval for changing the filter, irregardless of how often you replenish the oil in your engine. The oil filter is a critical part of the lubrication system, and still traps contaminants. Since your car burns so much oil and you add it you still have some of the original oil in your crankcase from the last time you refilled it during the oil change. Filters aren't that expensive and it's good practice to keep them changed on a regular basis. I use synthetic oil in some of my vehicles and generally replace just the filter and top it off half way through the cycle.
It really doesn't matter what brand you use concerning the oil. Since your car burns that much , I'd use a less expensive priced oil , buying it by the gallon or 5 quart container. All oil that is sold in stores must meet minimum standards, so you should do just fine with a less expensive brand, (even store brand or other private label.)

[curtis73]

ditto. The engine is still making as many contaminants regardless of how much oil you're putting in, so the filter gets full at the same intervals.

If you're burning that much oil, you're probably putting WAY more contaminants in the oil than a properly running engine and I would consider doing it more often.

At this point, if your engine is that sick and you're putting that much oil in all the time, I would stick with something inexpensive, but not super cheap. Rumor has it that WalMart's cheap store brand is actually Quaker State, but I'm sure they constantly shop around for the lowest bidder and it may change monthly.

Shell and Pennzoil are usually pretty cheap. They should offer good enough protection for the rest of the engine without dumping all that money into the car.

[MagicRat]

Also, consider going to a thicker oil, such as 10w 30 or 10w 40 when the weather warms up a bit. Thicker oil will not sneak past rings and/or valve seals as quickly and might reduce the oil burning a bit. I am sure your engine is loose/worn enough that there will be no harm done.