97+ NSX owners, how often do you change your oil?

[sjs]

Originally posted by JaguarXJ6:
sjs, the lab reported that the particulates had no effect on the total base number of the amount of acid/anti-wear additives present in the oil.

Here is a good resource on the subject.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com Sunny

Great, thanks!

I've got another question for you/them when you have the chance. Given a "healthy" engine, is TBN dropping to around 2 what would typically determine the life of the oil (time to change) rather than one of the other monitored properties such as high copper? If so, what properties covered by TBN are most likely to contribute to that degradation and what are the typical sources?

Perhaps I'll find that in the link you provided.

 

[sjs]

Originally posted by Lud:
sjs - The 3,000 mile recommendation is from the oil companies and quick-lube places. Go figure!

Yea, that's why I mentioned manufacturers (meaning auto manufacturers). They need to walk the line carefully so their cars don't seem to need service more often than the competition but aren't in danger of damage. These days some warranties even include oil changes, so they really need to calculate from both ends. The guys recommending 3k are also the ones that will tell you to get a full engine flush every couple years, which is perhaps the biggest scam yet.

 

[Lud]

I am not trying to duck the question, I am at work and don't have my service records sitting on my desk. I have actually changed it quite frequently, more than the service recommendation in every case, but that is because I have only had the car a couple years and have done a few track events during that period. I do not run multiple track weekends on the same oil, though I agree it is probably OK to do so at least witha mostly stock NSX.

So my more frequent oil changes are because of my particular use of the car, not because I think the oil is automatically going to be bad after sitting in the car for 6 or 12 or 16 months. If my use (or probably non-use) of the car were right for it, I would indeed leave oil in a car for an extended period.

But I think it's nuts to suggest oil that's been in a car for over a year is automatically in worse shape than oil that's seen 4 full track days. Especially if someone is running organic oil which will probably measurably oxidize at the track.

Anyone want to wager enclosed NSX transport to/from NSXPO 2003 that oil with 4 solid days of track events is in worse shape than clean oil that sat in a car for over 12 months? I am quite serious.

 

[sjs]

I dunno Lud, it's pretty stinky after sit'n under ground for a few (million) years.

 

[Lud]

Oops, I accidently deleting one of my messages when I was trying to fix a typo:

That may be true for your '98, but it's not true for my '91.

Well, this thread IS titled "97+ NSX owners..." not "91 NSX owners..."

Besides, we're all using the same oil. How is the Mobil 1 in my 1998 able to safely sit in my car twice as long as the Mobil 1 in your 1991? I'm pretty sure I don't have any new oil pan technology that makes oil last longer.

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
I'd rather buy a car from someone who understands that the manufacturer makes recommendations based on their knowledge of the car's engineering and design, and uses those recommendations as a minimum interval. I would trust the manufacturer's knowledge more than some yahoo who's trying to save forty bucks a year or a couple hours of inconvenience and is trying to justify treating his car poorly by using "I know better than the manufacturer" as an excuse.

I seem to recall you waited past the manufacturer recommended time to change your timing belt. Are you a yahoo who recklessly endangers your engine, or were you making an informed decision based on your understanding of why and when belts fail?

 

[PHOEN$X]

I'm surprised AKOUDOSAN hasn't jumped in about the benefits of Shell oil yet

 

[nsxtasy]

Maybe we should talk about car wax products now.

 

[sjs]

I should probably clarify my engine flush comment. I was speaking of the entire engine including lubrication system, not just coolant. Many shops will charge you $100 bucks or more to "power flush" the oil system as well which is waste on an engine that has been maintained properly and has less than a zillion miles on it and lots of sludge built up.

 

[Acuraphile]

While not limited to 97+ NSX owners, here is another general discussion of oil and changes:
www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000280.html

Bill

[This message has been edited by Acuraphile (edited 28 February 2003).]