1999 Acura Integra at 135k
I have been using Advanced full synthetic 5w30 for a long while - change every 5k - my annual mileage might be around 7k.
I noticed that the oil is getting darker towards oil change at 5k - this time it was worse when I changed at 4.7k (this time more came from freeway driving) - it used to show no difference when driving before and after an oil change. But there was considerable difference this time around in drive quality.
It looks to me Extended Performance more aligned since my annual mileage is under 10k. Then change every yr instead of 5k? Should I go for better filter too - I have been using O’Reilly’s brand.
I guess if you are worrying about what oil to use you must have passed the emissions test.
Mustang is right just keep doing what you have it seems to work.
The vehicle and the oil do not have any idea how old they are and don’t care . You are making this way to complicated . Just have the correct weight is all you need to care about.
Oil getting darker might be a sign of uncleaned air getting to the engine. Check integrity of the filter, its gaskets, and the ducting to the intake manifold.
Poor crankcase ventilation will cause oil to darken quicker and result in the reddish shellac. Of course extended idling and stop and go traffic will also give that result.
The Jalopnik article should be understood for what it says: at change intervals of roughly 4000 miles on that engine, the listed oils (and probably filter used) don’t seem to make an appreciable difference.
if 5000 miles or more, uncertain
other engines, uncertain
If the oil is doing its job well and cleaning the engine, then it will turn dark. I am not sure how much weight I will put in that. Some do a used oil analysis, but not sure if that will help you.
Just keep motoring.
The PCV = Positive Crankcase Ventilation and it needs to be kept cleaned or replaced but it is actually the less significant half of the ventilation system. A hose larger than the one on the PCV valve runs from the valve cover or a block vent over to the air filter housing. That vent system can get old and the hose collapse internally and the 90* elbows on the end connections can become totally plugged with carbon and sludge. When plugged the oil gets dirty quickly and buildup of sludge begins. That ventilation system is a significant reason that extended oil change intervals are possible.
Where it connects to the vent hose, there is a U shape bypass. Believe there is some damage and that a friend put some tape over it - I removed it today to clean the manifold.
Congratulations , Sciconf . The count is not official yet but you may have set the record for oil related threads by having at least 11 threads if not more .
By now you should be an expert on oil for vehicles.