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Oil Change Interval


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#1
iceforever

Posted 24 July 2014 - 05:53 PM

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my car travels only around 300kms per month.
Is it alright if I were to change the engine oil at a yearly interval??
I am using full synthetic oil.
Will appreciate any advice from all the gurus here.

#2
vr2turbo

Posted 25 July 2014 - 08:34 AM

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QUOTE (iceforever @ Jul 24 2014, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
my car travels only around 300kms per month.
Is it alright if I were to change the engine oil at a yearly interval??
I am using full synthetic oil.
Will appreciate any advice from all the gurus here.

Most recommend 6 monthly if mileage is low.....

why oil needs to be changed
Oil should be changed for several reasons: first, oil will break down chemically over time and lose its lubrication properties. Multiviscosity oils can lose their ability to flow more freely (than single viscosity oils) in cold weather. All oils (single and multi viscosity) can "thin out" with time and lessen their ability to lubricate. Heat accelerates these changes, therefore oil would last longer in a moderate climate than in a hot one. The reason synthetic oils last longer is they have a "more pure and stable" molecular structure that is more resistive to breakdown than traditionally refined oils. As an oil breaks down it combines with combustion chamber residue from blowby gasses to form sludge. High detergent oils dissolve this sludge and hold it in suspension. In addition, as an engine wears small pieces of metal, rubber, and plastic end up in the bottom of the oil pan. Believe it or not, the "granny car" which is "short tripped" will have a lot more acids (condensed from blowby gasses) mixed with the oil than a car which is driven every day! I rebuilt one engine with a thrown rod: (old lady, once a week to the store 3 miles away) The rod bearing had been eaten away by acid deposits!!! Ony 40,000 miles on that motor! Thus on low mileage cars I recommend changing the oil every 6 months, no matter how many miles on them! So anyway, the oil should be changed to get rid of all the "crap" that gets dissolved in it, even if the oil itself is still chemically OK.

#3
iceforever

Posted 26 July 2014 - 01:33 AM

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QUOTE (vr2turbo @ Jul 25 2014, 08:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Most recommend 6 monthly if mileage is low.....

why oil needs to be changed
Oil should be changed for several reasons: first, oil will break down chemically over time and lose its lubrication properties. Multiviscosity oils can lose their ability to flow more freely (than single viscosity oils) in cold weather. All oils (single and multi viscosity) can "thin out" with time and lessen their ability to lubricate. Heat accelerates these changes, therefore oil would last longer in a moderate climate than in a hot one. The reason synthetic oils last longer is they have a "more pure and stable" molecular structure that is more resistive to breakdown than traditionally refined oils. As an oil breaks down it combines with combustion chamber residue from blowby gasses to form sludge. High detergent oils dissolve this sludge and hold it in suspension. In addition, as an engine wears small pieces of metal, rubber, and plastic end up in the bottom of the oil pan. Believe it or not, the "granny car" which is "short tripped" will have a lot more acids (condensed from blowby gasses) mixed with the oil than a car which is driven every day! I rebuilt one engine with a thrown rod: (old lady, once a week to the store 3 miles away) The rod bearing had been eaten away by acid deposits!!! Ony 40,000 miles on that motor! Thus on low mileage cars I recommend changing the oil every 6 months, no matter how many miles on them! So anyway, the oil should be changed to get rid of all the "crap" that gets dissolved in it, even if the oil itself is still chemically OK.


Many thanks for this reply.


#4
vr2turbo

Posted 26 July 2014 - 09:45 AM

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QUOTE (iceforever @ Jul 26 2014, 01:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Many thanks for this reply.

you are welcome..... smile_thumbup.gif

#5
leongts

Posted 27 July 2014 - 10:13 PM

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There are 3 ways to go,

1. go with cheaper mineral oil, and change every 6 months
2. stick with fully synt, but get those with higher TBN (Mobil1 0W40, Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 etc) and maintain 1year OCI
3. if your car is of older breed, can use high quality mineral HDEO, and maintain 1year OCI

#6
iceforever

Posted 28 July 2014 - 12:16 AM

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QUOTE (leongts @ Jul 27 2014, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There are 3 ways to go,

1. go with cheaper mineral oil, and change every 6 months
2. stick with fully synt, but get those with higher TBN (Mobil1 0W40, Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 etc) and maintain 1year OCI
3. if your car is of older breed, can use high quality mineral HDEO, and maintain 1year OCI


Thanks. I am using Elf synthtic Pro 10w-50, can still maintain 1 year OCI??
Is switching to Castrol Edge 5w-40 a better idea??


#7
vr2turbo

Posted 28 July 2014 - 09:50 AM

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QUOTE (iceforever @ Jul 28 2014, 12:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks. I am using Elf synthtic Pro 10w-50, can still maintain 1 year OCI??
Is switching to Castrol Edge 5w-40 a better idea??

How much is the Elf? If can get Castrol Edge 5w-40 from Tesco at RM149 use 6 months also okay mah!
Or Total Quartz SS 10w-40 for 5L at RM69.90, change every 6 months lagi best.... smile_thumbup.gif smile_tongue.gif

#8
iceforever

Posted 28 July 2014 - 10:20 PM

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QUOTE (vr2turbo @ Jul 28 2014, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
How much is the Elf? If can get Castrol Edge 5w-40 from Tesco at RM149 use 6 months also okay mah!
Or Total Quartz SS 10w-40 for 5L at RM69.90, change every 6 months lagi best.... smile_thumbup.gif smile_tongue.gif


The ELF costs me RM183 member price whereas the Edge costs RM180.
I still prefer FS over SS.


#9
vr2turbo

Posted 29 July 2014 - 10:55 AM

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QUOTE (iceforever @ Jul 28 2014, 10:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The ELF costs me RM183 member price whereas the Edge costs RM180.
I still prefer FS over SS.

Edge at Tesco is cheaper or can try Mitsu oil sold at Aeon. FS 5w-40 at RM119 only. Member day can have another 5% or 10% off, Privilege day get RM10 back for every RM100..... smile_tongue.gif smile_thumbup.gif

#10
iceforever

Posted 29 July 2014 - 01:12 PM

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QUOTE (vr2turbo @ Jul 29 2014, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Edge at Tesco is cheaper or can try Mitsu oil sold at Aeon. FS 5w-40 at RM119 only. Member day can have another 5% or 10% off, Privilege day get RM10 back for every RM100..... smile_tongue.gif smile_thumbup.gif


I had checked the price of the Edge at TESCO Scott Garden and found the Edge there is Euro standard which is SM rated.