Oil Change Question

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by blazeracer

I run synthetic and change it when the DIC tells me to. Never a problem.

One issue I have found with that is you usually end up changing the synthetic way before the time it needs to. Most oil life monitors don't actually test the oil but rather use a mathematical model to calculate oil life with also taking into consideration other factors such as crankcase temp, moisture, and combustion chamber events , rather than the actual condition of the oil in the crankcase. I've noticed because of this my oil life monitor drops down quicker in the winter months for obvious reasons. If we were to follow the recommendations of the oil life monitor then we would be changing the synthetic while it was still in good condition. I usually use a 10 to 12,000 mile change interval so I will reset my monitor 3 or 4 times while the synthetic is in my engine and that will usually work out to the preset timeframe I had set for the synthetic. There was an interesting thread/debate on this site earlier this year concerning automakers lengthening the change interval recommendations:http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=687663

[wlkjr]

Fish96, I don't know if I'm the fellow you are referring to about the oil analysis, even though I did mention it and I don't see any other reference to an analysis in this thread. If so maybe you misread my comment. I change oil every 5000 miles regardless but do ocassional analysis just to see what the wear figures are and other pertinent data.
I do take used oil to be recycled but don't think it would be cost effecient to buy one of the new oil fired heaters for my small shop. I have entertained that idea though. Most places don't like to take more than 5 gallons at a time, and now I have about 15 in the barn.