Oil color
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Excellent point! One purpose of the oil is to carry contaminants that otherwise would deposit in the engine. Just because the oil stays nice and clean through the OCI dosen't necessarily mean all is well. If it is cleaning the engine I would suspect it will begin to run somewhat cleaner after several OCIs. Of course, the worst case scenario is where someone has a beater and it is blackening the oil from grossly excessive blowby. 
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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Yeah I was just wondering because my oil gets changed at 3 months or 3000 miles no matter what, and the past few times I have only put about 1000 - 1500 miles in 3 months, and then I would change it. Then on the last oil change, I went the full 3000 miles, and the oil was still a VERY light golden color. Almost looked like I just poured it in. I know the oil wasn't cleaning any sludge or varnish in the engine because like I said, for a while it got changed at like 1000 miles, and also my vehicle only has 40,000 miles on it.
Also, the old guy that owned it before me hardly ever drove it and he always changed it at 3 months, with sometimes less than 1000 miles on it.
So I know the engine is sparkling clean, and I just put a new Purolator air filter in it. So I don't know if the old tale of an oil turning black is a good thing or not because at 3000 miles I could probably put it back in the bottle and sell it!
Also, the old guy that owned it before me hardly ever drove it and he always changed it at 3 months, with sometimes less than 1000 miles on it.
So I know the engine is sparkling clean, and I just put a new Purolator air filter in it. So I don't know if the old tale of an oil turning black is a good thing or not because at 3000 miles I could probably put it back in the bottle and sell it!
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
From: S/C Texas
If the cars under warranty, keep on changing it. If not, you can wait a little without too much worry. I dont let mine get black before I change it, but I dont do it every three months either. But certainly no longer than 3k miles. I drive an avg of 20 miles a day.
Have farm impliments (trucks,tractors,combines) that go a year without an oil change. Change it at the beginning of the season, and go with it. Some of that stuff is real old, and running like new. Ofcourse if its a piece thats used alot, we change it if it gets ugly, but thats it. Just an example.
Have farm impliments (trucks,tractors,combines) that go a year without an oil change. Change it at the beginning of the season, and go with it. Some of that stuff is real old, and running like new. Ofcourse if its a piece thats used alot, we change it if it gets ugly, but thats it. Just an example.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Originally posted by gtm245
Yeah I was just wondering because my oil gets changed at 3 months or 3000 miles no matter what, and the past few times I have only put about 1000 - 1500 miles in 3 months, and then I would change it.
Yeah I was just wondering because my oil gets changed at 3 months or 3000 miles no matter what, and the past few times I have only put about 1000 - 1500 miles in 3 months, and then I would change it.
I had a '71 Ford 302 V8 that was changed every 4000 miles and that oil always looked good right up to change time. And them were the days of changing the filter every other oil change.
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Senior User
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I have been running Pennzoil 10W30 and a Champ filter for a while, but I might change it to SuperTech 10W30 and a SuperTech filter because I hear the ST filter is pretty much identical to the Champ and the ST oil is SL and GF-3 rated so it should work fine. What do you thnk? After I switch to ST I'll see if it still stays a pale golden color after 3000 miles.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
I don't know anything about SuperTech oil and filters. Do a search and you may find some stuff on SuperTech.
I like the non-GF3 oils like the typical high mileage oil (or a 10w40 and up) because it does not have the "Energy Conserving," nor the starburst, which I believe devalues an oil in the name of fuel economy. The auto manufacturers chase after it to satisfy CAFE.
My recommendation is for Valvoline Maxlife 10w30 with a Motorcraft filter. Of course I am biased because I am a Valvoline nut.
I like the non-GF3 oils like the typical high mileage oil (or a 10w40 and up) because it does not have the "Energy Conserving," nor the starburst, which I believe devalues an oil in the name of fuel economy. The auto manufacturers chase after it to satisfy CAFE.
My recommendation is for Valvoline Maxlife 10w30 with a Motorcraft filter. Of course I am biased because I am a Valvoline nut.
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Senior User
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Well this vehicle happens to be a GM so instead of Motorcraft I guess I could use ACDelco. Anyway I think the ST should do good.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Trussville, Alabama
I do 5000 mile drain intervals. The oil comes out "black". I count on UOA to tell me if everything is OK. It always has been. I don't worry about how the oil looks.
If it came out in clumps, well, I'd worry then.
If it came out in clumps, well, I'd worry then.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Originally posted by theoildude
Exactly!
A common misconception is that an oils color is an indication of how 'dirty' it is.
The only way to keep your oil amber color is to install a Bypass system on your truck.
Exactly!
A common misconception is that an oils color is an indication of how 'dirty' it is.The only way to keep your oil amber color is to install a Bypass system on your truck.
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