Oil change? Every 3,000?

[Vega$ NSX]

Forget usage, mileage etc. Those are all rules of thumb and generic at best. I go by taste. Our tongue has thousands of super sensitive receptors and are able to pick up the slightest of subtleties. When the oil starts to taste a bit gritty and metallic-y, it's time to change the oil. :smile:

 

[LMR]

Billy either meant 10,000 or 1,000 with a :tongue:

My first MR2 driven daily had 220K when I sold it and it was still running like a top, changing it every 3,000 with Castrol 20/50 with a Frahm filter. So I know that changing it every 5,000 on my daily driven NSX with Mobil 1 and a Honda filter will be just fine.

 

[dirtbag]

I change my oil once a small sample is able to ignite from a match. Then I take the used oil and dump it down the sink and toss the filter in the ocean.

 

[BATMANs]

I change my oil once a small sample is able to ignite from a match. Then I take the used oil and dump it down the sink and toss the filter in the ocean.

In the interest of time a storm drain may be a better option.

I implement used motor oil as "lighter fluid" for my fireplace insert when I'm trying to burn unseasoned oak or other viagra-embedded wood.

 

[drtruong]

Anytime. I get TONS of PMs asking for NSX advice, etc.

The cheapest place is Walmart for Pennzoil Ultra @ $27~ for a 5 quart jug.

Batmans, I was told not switch brands constantly, stick with one.

 

[sahtt]

3,000 is way overkill. There is a better way to look at this. When BMW or another car company pays for the oil changes due to a free maintenance program, how often do they change it?

I'll give you a clue - it is a multiple of 3,000. Often over 10,000. When they are paying the bill the 3,000 recommendation is no where to be found.

 

[BATMANs]

Batmans, I was told not switch brands constantly, stick with one.

I don't. I've stuck with Pennzoil Ultra.

 

[robbiedawg]

i use oem honda oil filters,i know they're ok,and mobil 1 changed every 3k to 5k miles.that's probably overkill,but i only do about 3k miles a year on the car,so don't want the oil to be too old.

i dump the used oil in my neighbor's swimming pool,gives a pretty rainbow sheen on the surface.

 

[BATMANs]

Perhaps i'll dump the used oil in my neighbor's swimming pool, so it gives a pretty rainbow sheen on the surface for me to view and an excuse to wash the dame's feet with Dawn....

Fixed. :biggrin:

 

[robbiedawg]

thanks.maybe now they'll be more grateful....

 

[4cruizn]

Not an NSX, but I've gotten this far with the 3.2 V6 in my 1994 Legend LS coupe using conventional 5W30 oil (usually Valvoline) and very STRICT adherence to a 3,000 mile interval. For whatever it's worth. I bought it at 95,000 miles in 2003.

 

[Aaron94T]

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1508850&postcount=66
That's my engine block at 120k miles~
The shop that was doing the build said that the condition of my journals were more like an engine with 20k~ miles.
What I use:
I'm using Pennzoil Ultra, the official oil that Ferrari of North America uses.
I change my oil and filter every 10k miles before and after the SOS SC was installed.
The oil filter that I use.

How many miles were on your car when you bought it? I want to believe in penns ultra too as I have semi-switched to ultra in my sports cars but their marketing has had something to do with it. I use to be a mobil 1 man exclusively. I am curious how many miles you have actually driven the nsx running ultra?

 

[BATMANs]

How many miles were on your car when you bought it? I want to believe in penns ultra too as I have semi-switched to ultra in my sports cars but their marketing has had something to do with it. I use to be a mobil 1 man exclusively. I am curious how many miles you have actually driven the nsx running ultra?

I bought the car with 30-35k miles. The previous 4 owners (all friends waiting for their F cars and needed something to get used to driving with a rear mid-engine) did the standard oil service at the Acura dealer.

When I got the car in 2007 I immediately switched to Redline. Then after 10k miles my next oil change was due and then I went with when Pennzoil Platinum (after discovering about it) all the way up to about 80k miles and then Ultra came out in 2010 then I did the switch respectively. So there was about 30k miles with Ultra in the engine before the engine rebuild project commenced to handle the additional power from the SOS SC.

I'll continue to run Pennzoil Ultra. There may be ever so slightly better Synthetic oils like Amsoil SS 0w30, Neo Oil, but at half, if not more than the costs from Walmart Ultra is the best value.

As a matter of fact since the Ultra came out there has been no wear comparisons between Amsoil's best oil and Ultra.

Just look at the Pennzoil Platinum wear ratings at the time.

 

[UnitedNSX]

I bought the car with 30-35k miles. The previous 4 owners (all friends waiting for their F cars and needed something to get used to driving with a rear mid-engine) did the standard oil service at the Acura dealer.

When I got the car in 2007 I immediately switched to Redline. Then after 10k miles my next oil change was due and then I went with when Pennzoil Platinum (after discovering about it) all the way up to about 80k miles and then Ultra came out in 2010 then I did the switch respectively. So there was about 30k miles with Ultra in the engine before the engine rebuild project commenced to handle the additional power from the SOS SC.

I'll continue to run Pennzoil Ultra. There may be ever so slightly better Synthetic oils like Amsoil SS 0w30, Neo Oil, but at half, if not more than the costs from Walmart Ultra is the best value.

As a matter of fact since the Ultra came out there has been no wear comparisons between Amsoil's best oil and Ultra.

Just look at the Pennzoil Platinum wear ratings at the time.

Wow. Proof is on the pudding

 

[BATMANs]

Wow. Proof is on the pudding

yep, so it would be VERY safe to say based on the graphs and my engine builder's comment on my engine condition that the Pennzoil Ultra is not a hyped up product.

One more thing that the Ultra seemed to deliver is the engine was so clean that they didn't need to use harsh chemicals to clean off any engine varnish.

That's something that even their customers with other engine projects remarked on just how clean my parts were.

 

[Stephen@NCAutoUSA]

Wow. Proof is on the pudding

Dude, that chart is 4 years old. Oils could have evolved since then as well.

But with that said I've been running 5w40 amsoil for the past few changes.

 

[SaleenS7Rs]

I do 3,000 mile oil changes with royal purple. The problem is I only put 4,000 miles on the car a year.All I know is the car runs smooth and great all the time. What does it say to do with oil changes in the owners manual? I dont have a owners manual so I cant check it out.

 

[BATMANs]

I do 3,000 mile oil changes with royal purple. The problem is I only put 4,000 miles on the car a year.All I know is the car runs smooth and great all the time. What does it say to do with oil changes in the owners manual? I dont have a owners manual so I cant check it out.

7500 miles with dyno oil based on older standards.

3k miles on synthetic is really a waste of $$$$.

If u really want to know what the ideal interval for ur engine condition and mileage and driving style u should send ur oil samples to blackstone labs.

 

[BATMANs]

Dude, that chart is 4 years old. Oils could have evolved since then as well.

But with that said I've been running 5w40 amsoil for the past few changes.

Nothing wrong with Amsoil. It's one of my top tier favorites. But for the cost and ease of buying Ultra is now my oil of choice.

yes the data is 4 years old. Ultra came after and is what I consider the #1 oil for the masses and that widely available.

 

[Aaron94T]

Just look at the Pennzoil Platinum wear ratings at the time.

Keep in mind at this is Platinum and not Ultra. I have seen no such test with Ultra and have read that in some tests Platinum outperforms Ultra.

Anothern thing to note about this graph is it is just one of about 15 in the test conducted by Amsoil. This test is now a favorite of Internet oil guys everywhere. In some of the other graphs Mobil 1 comes in #2. In none of the tests does Amsoil come in anywhere but #1. I am sure they omitted the tests where they did as it is their study.

Not knocking Penns as I have been using them now for the past 2 years but I think I was swayed by slick marketing. Mobil 1 is good stuff and is oem in many high performance cars for decades.

 

[BATMANs]

Keep in mind at this is Platinum and not Ultra. I have seen no such test with Ultra and have read that in some tests Platinum outperforms Ultra.

Anothern thing to note about this graph is it is just one of about 15 in the test conducted by Amsoil. This test is now a favorite of Internet oil guys everywhere. In some of the other graphs Mobil 1 comes in #2. In none of the tests does Amsoil come in anywhere but #1. I am sure they omitted the tests where they did as it is their study.

Not knocking Penns as I have been using them now for the past 2 years but I think I was swayed by slick marketing. Mobil 1 is good stuff and is oem in many high performance cars for decades.

I like to see the tests that depicts that Platinum is better than Ultra. This is the first that I've heard.

There some unconfirmed reports that since M1 lost their definition of Synthetic oil lawsuit, that they have went from a Group 4 to Group 3 basestock (which is what Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra - as well as most of the mass marketed syn oil basestocks are) to increase their profit margin.

if there is any company that has poured marketing $$$ in their oil it's M1. Their marketing presence can be felt at major car races.

 

[drtruong]

7500 miles with dyno oil based on older standards.

3k miles on synthetic is really a waste of $$$$.

If u really want to know what the ideal interval for ur engine condition and mileage and driving style u should send ur oil samples to blackstone labs.

After reading your thread, Batmans, I went to Walmart to buy Penzoil Platinum ( they don't have ultra). The last time that I changed the oil was 25 mos ago and only driven 7xx miles. I saw fine metallic materials collected around the magnetic plug. I used Mobil 1 synthetic last time.

Why do I get metallic fine grinds at the magnetic plug for only 7xx miles? 2 yrs interval with 7xx miles is reasonable to change the oil or is it a waste?

 

[sahtt]

Not an NSX, but I've gotten this far with the 3.2 V6 in my 1994 Legend LS coupe using conventional 5W30 oil (usually Valvoline) and very STRICT adherence to a 3,000 mile interval. For whatever it's worth. I bought it at 95,000 miles in 2003.

Very impressive. If you replaced the oil every 1,500 miles, however, it would have given you the same results but you would have done ~15 oil changes needlessly.:wink: If I was putting that many miles on my car every year (30-40k), I'd definitely use fully synthetic for 15-25k mile increments and replace the oil filter half way through (if going closer to 25k miles).

Take a look at this link http://www.synthetic-motor-oil-chan...oil-going-409000-miles-without-oil-change.php. That individual did more miles on one oil change then you've done since you bought your car at 95k miles.

The oil we use and the manner in which we use our vehicles is much different than the above case, but it should still give you an idea of how good today's synthetics are.

 

[bullithollywood]

In response to the OP's question:

Yes: I firmly believe changing the oil every 3000-5000 miles is good practice. While in theory the molecules in synthetic "oils" never really wear out there are additives that do get used up and these additives are what make todays oils so superior from those of the past. I want them fresh.

I also think its good practice change your oil once a year regardless of mileage (just likey your manual says) because over time waxes and impurities can build in the oil, especially over the winter or in colder climates, stop and go driving, that cause thickening and can affect oils ability to flow and lubricate.

I myself use MB1 0-30 only because MB1 is what I've aways used and all three of my Hondas are/were clean as a whistle and running like new when they passed 200,000 miles, so I'm sticking with what I know...AND since common sense tells me most engine wear occurs at startup, before the engine oil is warmed to its operating viscosity and flowing properly, I want the oil that stays closest to that operating viscosity and thickens the least when its at ambient temp in the crankcase and filter. I choose the upper number based on what the manufacturer says is best viscosity for that engine and its lubrication system.

 

[M Baker]

Honda's oil is Exxon/Mobil. Honda recommends Chevron fuel as well (BTW, Techron Concentrate Plus is good stuff to add to your tank once a year)

For the last couple of years Honda has been using their Maintenance Minder system to determine service intervals. The computer looks at how the car is driven to determine what to do and when to do it.

We have a 2011 Pilot that we use to tow a 21' boat and the Maintenance Minder system didn't tell us to change the oil until we almost hit 9,000 miles. Most of those miles were highway miles, some were hard miles pulling the boat back and forth over mountain passes. When I drive Honda four cylinder engine vehicles (Civic/Accord/CR-V) I can easily go over 10,000 miles between oil changes with the Maintenace Minder system since I drive mostly highway miles.

My 2003 BMW used liters of fuel consumed to determine its service intervals. This also is an accurate way to determine service: Drive hard - consume more fuel - more frequent service intervals. Drive easy - consume less fuel - less frequent service intervals.

And of course, if you don't drive enough miles in a year, do as it has been said previously, change your oil and filter once a year. If you want to be really picky, if store your car through the winter in a cold garage you should change your oil before you store it to remove all the contaminants and let it run through the engine. (And put Sta-Bil in the gas tank - especially if you use race gas) Then change it again in the spring before you start driving it again.