>http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html

That link means nothing. If you search you'll find it everywhere on the web. From what I understand it was some study that Amsoil did and not an independent, objective study, hence the reason it comes out on top in all categories. There is mention of it being a BS study in the oil/lubrication section of this forum.

 

That link does a very accurate job of explaining what oil viscosity means or in other words what the numbers on the side of an automotive oil bottle mean.

 

Well, that part is true as it does explain that in detail but the comparison among the different companies is rubbish.

 

I didn't pay any attention to the comparisons. I only posted it response to post # 12 that stated "I think number 8 on the message board has that backwards. The low number of the weight is the weight at 100c and the high number is the starting temp. Those numbers are actually the time that the oil takes to go through a viscosity cup. 5 seconds would be thin or hot oil and 20 seconds would be cold oil. I may be wrong on this but I've been an industrial mechanic in a manufacturing plant for 13yrs and that is the way we measure oil breakdown in large industrial blowers.
Sorry for the long post."

This was totally incorrect so I wanted to post the link describing what the oil bottle viscosity numbers mean.

 

The first time I saw that link it explained a lot for me, so good call.

 

I find it hard to belive your oil is as clean coming out as going in. If so why change it?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jan-03 AT 01:24 AM (EST)]I agree. There would be no point to changing it.

 

I have a 95 Ranger 3L V6 $x4 with 106,000. I've lived on the hot coastal Carolina, the mild mountains of Virginia, and have been in the frozen tundra of central Massachusetts for 2 years. I have ALWAYS run a Fram oil filter, and Texaco Havoline (God Rest Davey Allison) 5W-30 and I've never had a single problem with the engine lube or start-up on cold mornings. I have had electrical problems, but we're Ford owners...WHO HASN'T?

 

While on the topic of oil, I was hoping to get some opinions on allowing extended oil change intervals with synthetic oil. I of course realize that during the warrantee period one must closely adhere to the manufacturers recommendations, but Im talking real world here. In my own case, I own a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Since 1100 miles I have been running Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30 weight oil with a Motorcraft FL820S filter. Since I drive less than 7500 miles per year, I intend to change the oil and filter ONCE per year. Seems from all that Ive read, Mobil 1 should easily be able to handle a year in the crankcase with capacity to spare and should still provide superior protection and hopefully allow long term engine longevity on this schedule. I welcome your opinions and thanks in advance for your answers.