# Changing your oil, a world record? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** lexus, oil\ **Created:** [October 7, 2009, 5:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729 "2009-10-07T05:32:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/41 "2009-10-09T00:12:24Z")
Some years back I worked for a dealer who bought a number of fleet cars that were allegedly maintained well. These cars (about 3 dozen of them, all about 2 years old) were all Chevrolets, all had between 30 and 35k miles, and as my boss discovered after they were delivered, every single one of them smoked upon startup. It was discovered that these cars actually did receive oil changes. The distressing part was that they only saw a couple of oil changes each during the entire mileage/time frame the cars were owned by this company. Every single one of those cars was sludged up beyond belief and the smoking was caused by the fact that the oil that was pumped up to the rocker arm area was not able to drain back down into the crankcase due to the oil return holes being caked solid. These cars became “filler” jobs in which a mechanic would run out and grab one during a slow spell, etc. It cost my boss quite a bit of money to cover valve cover gaskets, cleaning supplies, oil/filters, and the labor involved to clean out all of this gunk. I’ve never seen a neglected engine not sludge and there’s no reason to think DD’s Lexus is any different. (And those 3 dozen cars my boss bought all ran great too; once you got past the oil cloud and errant lifter rattle.) ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/42 "2009-10-09T05:07:18Z")
Now does the OP want to enlighten us on what his plans are, or this was just a teaser post? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/43 "2009-10-09T10:20:52Z")
Which is one reason leasing a car is the most expensive way of driving. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/44 "2009-10-09T11:27:09Z")
Can’t agree more. It made sense for some people about 20 years ago…but NOT now. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/45 "2009-10-09T11:30:22Z")
> Why the focus on this yet-to-be-determined “next owner”? Is that why we maintain our cars, for the next owner? Maintain the car anyway you want…but IMHO…it’s immoral and should be criminal if you DON’T disclose to the person who buys it how abused it is. ---
**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/46 "2009-10-13T19:57:53Z")
Drive this car until it dies, don’t trade it in or sell it to someone who doesn’t know or simply doesn’t know any better, otherwise you just may end up in hell. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/47 "2009-10-13T22:05:51Z")
Short of pulling the valve covers or dropping the pan…you may NEVER know. ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/48 "2009-10-14T13:56:38Z")
The oil analysis is poitless. ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/49 "2009-10-14T14:02:28Z")
A comprehensive study in 2006 (SAE 2006-01-3413) concluded the following results on engine wear: - Aged engine oil with 16k miles exhibited similar ring and bore wear rates as new oil - Fully synthetic lubricants have similar ring and bore rates as mineral-based oil Other research has found the same results, I just don?t have the papers in front of me right now to give the citations. I would say minimal, if any significant abnormal wear has been done as a result of the 40k miles on the oil. I would change the oil and drive it another 40K. The oil filter will likely not last 40K miles though. So you may want to change that at 20K:) ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/50 "2009-10-14T16:23:09Z")
If You Were Offering Good Advice, Just Think How Revolutionary This Concept Would Become! The cost savings, petroleum, and energy savings would be huge, nationwide. Trust me, there’re reasons why people change oil many times more frequently than what you suggest and also reasons manufacturers would void a warranty under your plan. Why does it sound like you aren’t sure about the filter? Don’t you follow your own advice? I know. You run your oil for 40,000 mile intervals and filters at 20,000 in your vehicle and get back to us so we can see how it’s working for you. CSA ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/51 "2009-10-14T18:41:53Z")
> - Aged engine oil with 16k miles exhibited similar ring and bore wear rates as new oil - Fully synthetic lubricants have similar ring and bore rates as mineral-based oil Other research has found the same results, I just don?t have the papers in front of me right now andto give the citations. I don’t believe it…Sorry you’ll have to provide the documentation and source for this one. ---
**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/52 "2009-10-15T04:29:46Z")
GM has a 2:1 safety factor. Our new GM car is headed for a 12,000 mile oil change. if 2:1 safety factor, that would be 24,000 miles to oil change. Read the link. > **[ZDP depletion and GM oil life monitor | Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) -...](http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=130037)** > > One thing I can touch on and clear up.....the GM oil life monitor operation and my statement that ZDP (or ZDDP as you tend to call it here...most of the API literature just sticks to ZDP so I tend to use that) depletion is the basis for oil... ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 12:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/53 "2009-10-15T12:17:13Z")
UM…The link is a BLOG…Sorry…but that’s not what I (nor anyone else) considers VALID documentation. ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/54 "2009-10-15T14:19:23Z")
I provided the SAE paper number. What more do you want? I can give you the title as well if you like: ?Effect of Lubricant Properties and Lubricant Degradation on Piston Ring and Cylinder Bore Wear in a Spark-Ignition Engine? The paper was presented at the Powertrain & Fluid Systems Conference & Exhibition, Toronto, Canada, Oct. 2006. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/55 "2009-10-15T15:38:11Z")
Loafer; there’s more to engine life than piston ring and cylinder bore wear!!! Those are the easy parts. The tough parts are providing enough additives and clean oil to keep the valve gear, timing gears, bearings and other moving parts CLEAN and operating efficiently! The BMW insides shown in another post on this subject shows what happens when those additives aare depleted and crud builds up. Any good text on lube oils states that the function of a lube oil is manifold, and includes: 1. Lubricate surfaces to reduce friction and wear. 2. Clean the system to keep debris and sludges from forming. 3. Cool the surfaces sufficiently to avoid heat damage. 4. Neutralize acids and other undesirable chemicals that form and damage surfaces. 5. In many cases, act a a noise reducing medium. Reducing wear on rings and cylinder surfaces is only part of the function of a lube oil, it’s all those other functions that need to be addresssed and cannot be met with 40,0000 miles on the oil and the additives depleted. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/56 "2009-10-16T02:00:56Z")
> I provided the SAE paper number. What more do you want? Sorry but I don’t (and most here don’t) have access to the SAE library. If you do then please post. What I want to see is how much sludge there is…does the paper show that??? Was there a controlled study of many engines showing how much longer a engine would or wouldn’t last if not properly maintained?? ---
**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/57 "2009-10-16T02:29:29Z")
Yes, it is a blog but you must read it to see the poster’s qualifications. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/58 "2009-10-16T12:35:11Z")
For Sale: 2006 Lexus IS 250 Low Miles - 40,000 Miles Body Is In Excellent Condition Well Maintained, Oil And Filter Changed Every 40,000 Miles. For Sale: 2006 Lexus IS 250 Low Miles - 40,000 Miles Body Is In Excellent Condition Well Maintained, Oil Changed Every 40,000 Miles, Filter Every 20,000. For Sale: 2006 Lexus IS 250 Low Miles - 40,000 Miles Body Is In Excellent Condition Well Maintained, Oil And Filter Changed Every 16,000 Miles. For Sale: 2006 Lexus IS 250 Low Miles - 40,000 Miles Body Is In Excellent Condition Well Maintained, Oil And Filter Changed Every 5,000 Miles. Do the longer oil change intervals make you skeptical about the maintenance of the whole vehicle? All things except oil change intervals being equal, which one would you choose? CSA ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/59 "2009-10-16T13:08:55Z")
That’s IF AND ONLY IF…the Seller states that the oil and filter was changed every 40k miles. The couple of people I know who abuse their cars this much…would NEVER tell the suspected buyer…Their attitude is…“It’s THEIR problem…NOT MINE.” ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729/60 "2009-10-16T13:27:55Z")
All SAE papers are copyright protected and available to the public: $15 non-members, $12 members. Extended oil change intervals are possible on modern EFI engines without significant oil degradation or sludge formation by maintaining optimal engine oil temperature (too high and too low can be problematic) and by proper ventilation of the valve train through the PCV system. Some engines are problematic in the sludge department. I believe Toyota has already fixed their problem, and I?m sure others have as well. Is 40K interval too high? Possibly. Do I think any significant damage resulted to the OP’s engine ? No. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729.md?page=2) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-your-oil-a-world-record/37729.md?page=4)