Is it true oil filter magnets are worthless? Also,can I safely run Mobil 1 oil for 7500 miles?

 

I would say yes to both statements.

Jim

 

I agree also.

If you look at the manual on the new trucks, they don't even recommend a oil change until 7K. And that is with regular oil. So I feel pretty safe running M1 that far. Even under harsh conditions.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Sep-02 AT 00:15 AM (EST)]THose owners manuals are crap. I live in arizona. Your can not go father than 3000 miles with out an oil change. Plus the oil filter has to be changed every 3000 miles regardless of oil. If you go off-road quite a bit 2500 miles!!!

 

What truck says 7k?
My 2002 ranger says 3k severe/5k normal

Rand

 

I use a magnet on my truck and on my cars. I have cut the filters and I do notice a tiny amount of dark grey particle where the magnet was. So I must assume it was some metal shaving of some sort. I dont know if they would harm the motor or not, but I get a little peace of mind that maybe the magnet has stopped them from being recirculated through the system.

DRew

 

If they are so worthless then why do manufacturer's put magnets in transmission pans for similar reasons? They catch suspended metal particles and they do work, but they aren't needed quite as much with the oil because the filter catches a lot of it.

 

With synthetic and even dino, you can go 7,000+ miles between changes, IF, your truck and driving style fit under the "NORMAL" description. Ie freeway miles in clean(dust free) environments and moderate temperatures. If you live in Arizona or similar, you will have lots of dust(Which WILL get into your engine) and lots of heat to cook off the lighter elements of dino oil(synthetic is resistant to cooking off). Also if you commute in stop and go traffic or if you only drive the truck on Sundays for 3 miles. Then no, your oil will not last that long. Short trips allow water and acids to build up. Heat "cooks" the oil and makes it thicken. Dust is nasty stuff.

As far as magnets in the filter, maybe they work, maybe not, probably don't hurt. The filter should pickup anything harmful anyway. I think the magnet in the pan is better since it will catch metal that is heavy enough to sink to the bottom and which might never make it to the filter.

In general, follow the owner's manual and assume you drive under severe conditions. So change your oil and filter frequently. The "normal" description does not fit may city dwellers or people whose trucks work hard. Now, if you live where I do(cool, low dust) and drive like I do(90%freeway miles and very little stop and go and 30 minutes minimum), then you can go 7,000(The little computer in my car says the oil is OK for that long too). That little computer does seem to react to driving style and traffic. Before when I hit more stop and go, it would light up right at 7,500(+- 100 or so). Now my commute is traffic free and I have not seen the light in over a year. If you tow, all bets are off, go for the short change.

Personally I change the oil in my car every 7,500(freeway commute at 55+); wife's van every 5,000(short trips); truck every 5,000(Tow). All vehicles get synthetic oil, which from what I read and maybe my imagination gives me a significant margin of safety over dino so that I feel safe to change at longer than 3,000. Most synthetic say they are safe for 15,000+(I assume "normal" driving) so at half that I figure I am home free.

Not an expert, just read a lot and have changed my oil at least 200 times so far.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I recently installed an oil drain plug magnet. It costs about three dollars at the local NAPA. Gimmick or not, I wasn't hurt financially by the purchase of it.

 

I got an old toaster cord,stripped the ends to bare wire,and taped it to my oil filter.Then i plug it in the wall socket and magnetize my filter......i figure its good for 3000 miles...i'll keep ya'll posted!!!

 

very informative reply Jim Henderson

 

Considering that the oil is likely to be moving faster past a magnet on the oil filter, I would think that the magnetic drain plug would be more effective. However, if you are picking some up in the filter (as evidenced by the grey ring), as my old boss used to say, "It couldn't hurt".

MrBSS

 

Does anyone,besides me,have a sense of humor around here?

 

Of course we do FatF150

 

I was using a Magnaforce on the oil filter but didnt cut it open at the last oil change,so I dont know if it worked.I`ve upgraded to a pureONE filter so I probably dont need it now anyway.Maybe I could JB Weld that magnaforce to the tranny pan,huh?