oil & oil filter

Hi everyone;

I have a 97 SL, 130000 km (81250 mi).
I have been having the oil changed every 5000 km (Castrol 5w/30w)
Last change I went for Mobil Synthetic. Noticed a smoother run (maybe
it is a subjective perception of mine).
Question 1: is it advisable to extend to 10000 km the interval of oil
changes with synthetic?
Question 2: from browsing this site, I learnt that Fram is a no-no in
oil filters. Everyone advises against.
So, for next change,which filter brand do you think would be better:
Quaker State?, Valvoline? or, the Fram Synthetic?
The price difference is not an issue, the life of the engine is.
Thanks in advance for all your comments and suggestions.

danielR.

How about an AC oil filter? What novel concept. Using what the
manufacturer uses.....

And stay away from the $ynthetics. No need.

--
Steve


"danielr" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi everyone;
>
> I have a 97 SL, 130000 km (81250 mi).
> I have been having the oil changed every 5000 km (Castrol 5w/30w)
> Last change I went for Mobil Synthetic. Noticed a smoother run (maybe
> it is a subjective perception of mine).
> Question 1: is it advisable to extend to 10000 km the interval of oil
> changes with synthetic?
> Question 2: from browsing this site, I learnt that Fram is a no-no in
> oil filters. Everyone advises against.
> So, for next change,which filter brand do you think would be better:
> Quaker State?, Valvoline? or, the Fram Synthetic?
> The price difference is not an issue, the life of the engine is.
> Thanks in advance for all your comments and suggestions.
>
> danielR.
>

> "danielr" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Hi everyone;
>>
>> I have a 97 SL, 130000 km (81250 mi).
>> I have been having the oil changed every 5000 km (Castrol 5w/30w)
>> Last change I went for Mobil Synthetic. Noticed a smoother run (maybe
>> it is a subjective perception of mine).
>> Question 1: is it advisable to extend to 10000 km the interval of oil
>> changes with synthetic?
>> Question 2: from browsing this site, I learnt that Fram is a no-no in
>> oil filters. Everyone advises against.
>> So, for next change,which filter brand do you think would be better:
>> Quaker State?, Valvoline? or, the Fram Synthetic?
>> The price difference is not an issue, the life of the engine is.
>> Thanks in advance for all your comments and suggestions.
>>
>> danielR.
>>
>
>
"Steve Barker LT" > wrote in message
...
> How about an AC oil filter? What novel concept. Using what the
> manufacturer uses.....
>
> And stay away from the $ynthetics. No need.
>
> --
> Steve
>
>

The use of synthetics is a decision that is the result of variable factors.
It isn't necessarily a simple decision.

Ken

What Napalm says. I run Mobil1 in my SC and have in every car I have owned.
(I dont need to but I also notice a smoother running engine with less oil
burning in a twin cam) I am a firm believer however in changing your oil
every 3K miles or 3 months, whichever first, always, no matter what.
Nowadays wi newer engines, such as the ecotec which has an oil life
indicator, you can go a little further, but never more than 3-4 months to
keep a happy engine.

Nothing wrong with the OEM filters, fram is definately a no-no. I use K&N
filters, quite expensive, but so are oil related problems, so it's extra
peace of mind for me.

marx404

"danielr" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi everyone;
>
> I have a 97 SL, 130000 km (81250 mi).
> I have been having the oil changed every 5000 km (Castrol 5w/30w)
> Last change I went for Mobil Synthetic. Noticed a smoother run (maybe
> it is a subjective perception of mine).
> Question 1: is it advisable to extend to 10000 km the interval of oil
> changes with synthetic?

Probably not.

Proper oil drain interval is a function of usage. The most extreme
operating condition is infrequent use involving short trips in stop and go
city traffic, especially heavily loaded or on hills or in the wintertime.
Operating in a 'spirited manner' with high engine speeds makes the former
even worse. The engine never gets a chance to boil off the moisture and
fuel and combustion by products. In this type of service, synthetic oil
will help with the 'spirited' driver but it will become contaminated just as
quickly as petroil and the only way to keep the oil contamination and
breakdown under control is with more frequent changes. I would suggest 2000
mi/3 months. Heated garages and block heaters will help (but not solve) for
cars in this severe usage. Very hot climates can also require shorter drain
intervals but I have no experience.

The gentlest usage is daily runs on the highway (steady 2300-2800 rpm) where
the engine gets a chance to operate at full operating temp for an extended
period of time. The oil (and engine) will last much longer in this type of
service. (Block heaters, proper warmup and covering the front of the car in
the winter will help to keep the engine at full operating temp.) Saturn
approves extended drain intevals up to 6000 mi in this type of light service
but in my personal experience and after several oil analysis, I have found
that (in my personal service and 160,000 mi engine) the best drain interval
seems to be 3500 mi, after this the (good quality premium petroils) seem to
suffer from viscosity breakdown and seem to get thick and black.

As oil begins to break down the consumption rate (personal consumption rate
~1300 mi/lt) goes up and you will notice that you need to add the second
liter after fewer miles than the first needed addition. I wait until I am
down to the add mark (never below) and if I am over 3000 miles I just change
all of it. I do notice higher consumption rates with Quaker State premium
or other standard quality bargain oils.

> Question 2: from browsing this site, I learnt that Fram is a no-no in
> oil filters. Everyone advises against.
> So, for next change,which filter brand do you think would be better:
> Quaker State?, Valvoline? or, the Fram Synthetic?
> The price difference is not an issue, the life of the engine is.

I buy both my (good quality premium) oils and (standard quality) filters by
the case whenever I find them for sale at a great price. I have no brand
preference. Oils are often used as loss leaders at grocery stores and
Wal-Mart so when the price is right I buy several cases. I use 5w30 year
round.

Filters are usually purchased from automotive jobbers and there is a huge
price difference that never has anything to do with quality. Sometimes big
box stores have good price but not regularly. I now have a good source for
Wix filters which are reviewed very highly but I never pay extra for premium
priced filters. I always change the filter at each change and always curse
the fool engineer who placed the filter in a location where it is hard to
reach and (since the drip gutter is too small) always leaks oil on the
halfshaft and the frame. The only solution seems to be rags and cleanup. I
save my old filter so that if I have any engine problems I could go back and
cut the filter open for inspection, but I do not normally inspect the
filter.

IMHO synthetic oils are not cost effective and I prefer to use petroil (buy
smart) and change more frequently. The place where synthetics really shine
is in extreme low temperature service (as they do not thicken as much as
petroils at low temp), especially if it is not possible to plug in an engine
block heater.

Just my .02 YUMMY