A2B-Lexus
(Post Master Supreme)
02/28/22 11:32 AM
Covid Oil Changes

Are you guys going to do your oil changes based on kms? I've driven my Q3 for 4000 kms for the last 2 years. Its a 2015 CPO so I haven't been back as I am not voiding any warranties. Feels like a waste of $$ changing the oil only after 4000 kms.

Before covid, I was really only driving about 6000 or so kms per car so I've always done it annually anyway but 2 years+ or so seems like a long time between changes.

For my Acura RDX, I just go with the car's computer as that seems to be kms based.



furball
(Post Master Sr)
02/28/22 11:38 AM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

I'm going based off kms, and then some...

Oil I think is based purely on kms, so yeah... kms.

My rotors and likely shocks all need replacements, but they seem ok on small loads (1-2 fatasses) ... any more and the front rotors wobble, and suspension just seems to bottom out on the speed humps...


DoWnGEAR
(Post Master)
02/28/22 11:57 AM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

I was paranoid enough about this that I sent in a sample to black labs after 3 years from my rarely driven s2000. The test results were flawless and they included this in the write up:

You can safely jettison the idea of calendar based oil changes. Modern engines are sealed up tight and not susceptible to issues like corrosion or oil breaking down due to moisture and other outside contaminants getting in over time. Solids from heat/blow-by/use(insolubles) and wear metals are the things that must be removed during oil changes and those only build up while the engine is running. Here wear metals are low next to universal averages.


Big Tasty
(Post Master Supreme)
02/28/22 01:05 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

My coupe was due for an oil change in early Feb by date. By mileage, I still have another 4,000 km to go.

titty sprinkles
(Post Master Supreme)
02/28/22 02:23 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

i'm going on kms too. i just take both cars to the dealership, for $100 they do the oil change so i don't have to deal with the mess and getting rid of oil and shit.

87ZCSi
(Post Master Sr)
02/28/22 04:25 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

I've been doing them all once a year. That's about 200USD for the year for 3 cars, and I blew up the Lotus 2 days after it's first oil change I ever did on it so it doesn't count.

Hatorade
(Post Master Supreme)
02/28/22 04:27 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

I drove 330kms in my GT3 last year. Last oil change I did was in October 2020. Seemed like a waste of money/oil to change last year. I'll get it done in May once the car is back on the road though.

87ZCSi
(Post Master Sr)
02/28/22 06:21 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: Hatorade
I drove 330kms in my GT3 last year.

One can only hope that was all accumulated in a few lapping days?


titty sprinkles
(Post Master Supreme)
03/01/22 02:15 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: 87ZCSi
 Originally Posted By: Hatorade
I drove 330kms in my GT3 last year.

One can only hope that was all accumulated in a few lapping days?


nah, runs to foody mart.


c2k
(Post Master Supreme)
03/01/22 06:04 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

nobody using an oil extractor? Those are a major time saver and my oil filter is accessible at the top of the engine bay.

A2B-Lexus
(Post Master Supreme)
03/01/22 11:18 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: DoWnGEAR
I was paranoid enough about this that I sent in a sample to black labs after 3 years from my rarely driven s2000. The test results were flawless and they included this in the write up:

You can safely jettison the idea of calendar based oil changes. Modern engines are sealed up tight and not susceptible to issues like corrosion or oil breaking down due to moisture and other outside contaminants getting in over time. Solids from heat/blow-by/use(insolubles) and wear metals are the things that must be removed during oil changes and those only build up while the engine is running. Here wear metals are low next to universal averages.


Nice. Good to know!


A2B-Lexus
(Post Master Supreme)
03/01/22 11:19 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: titty sprinkles
 Originally Posted By: 87ZCSi
 Originally Posted By: Hatorade
I drove 330kms in my GT3 last year.

One can only hope that was all accumulated in a few lapping days?


nah, runs to foody mart.

Probably just T&T. He lives closer to those.


Screamin Type ARGH!
(Post Master Supreme)
03/02/22 01:45 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: DoWnGEAR
I was paranoid enough about this that I sent in a sample to black labs after 3 years from my rarely driven s2000. The test results were flawless and they included this in the write up:

You can safely jettison the idea of calendar based oil changes. Modern engines are sealed up tight and not susceptible to issues like corrosion or oil breaking down due to moisture and other outside contaminants getting in over time. Solids from heat/blow-by/use(insolubles) and wear metals are the things that must be removed during oil changes and those only build up while the engine is running. Here wear metals are low next to universal averages.


For all cars today, pretty much this.

Did u use wearcheck in Burlington? We use them.


Hatorade
(Post Master Supreme)
03/02/22 05:34 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: A2B-Lexus
 Originally Posted By: titty sprinkles
 Originally Posted By: 87ZCSi
 Originally Posted By: Hatorade
I drove 330kms in my GT3 last year.

One can only hope that was all accumulated in a few lapping days?


nah, runs to foody mart.

Probably just T&T. He lives closer to those.


LOL I’ve done this.


87ZCSi
(Post Master Sr)
03/02/22 11:34 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: Screamin Type ARGH!
 Originally Posted By: DoWnGEAR
I was paranoid enough about this that I sent in a sample to black labs after 3 years from my rarely driven s2000. The test results were flawless and they included this in the write up:

You can safely jettison the idea of calendar based oil changes. Modern engines are sealed up tight and not susceptible to issues like corrosion or oil breaking down due to moisture and other outside contaminants getting in over time. Solids from heat/blow-by/use(insolubles) and wear metals are the things that must be removed during oil changes and those only build up while the engine is running. Here wear metals are low next to universal averages.


For all cars today, pretty much this.

Did u use wearcheck in Burlington? We use them.


You likely always bring that car up to temperature though. One of our cars does a lot of short trips to daycare so that would look different. I've sent a sample off to Blackstone they said run to 15 months on my ML350. So, those oil tests can save money if used properly.


hyper-s2k
(Post Master Supreme)
03/03/22 10:39 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

I have a lot of short distance drives (to in-laws; grocery stores; etc.) - so I stuck with once a year in the last couple of years.

I think I end up filling up once a month now (per car) - which I get about 400-450 a tank.

Ironically, the longest drives I have is taking my car to the mechanic in Markham. LOL


DoWnGEAR
(Post Master)
03/06/22 06:24 AM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

 Originally Posted By: 87ZCSi
 Originally Posted By: Screamin Type ARGH!
 Originally Posted By: DoWnGEAR
I was paranoid enough about this that I sent in a sample to black labs after 3 years from my rarely driven s2000. The test results were flawless and they included this in the write up:

You can safely jettison the idea of calendar based oil changes. Modern engines are sealed up tight and not susceptible to issues like corrosion or oil breaking down due to moisture and other outside contaminants getting in over time. Solids from heat/blow-by/use(insolubles) and wear metals are the things that must be removed during oil changes and those only build up while the engine is running. Here wear metals are low next to universal averages.


For all cars today, pretty much this.

Did u use wearcheck in Burlington? We use them.


You likely always bring that car up to temperature though. One of our cars does a lot of short trips to daycare so that would look different. I've sent a sample off to Blackstone they said run to 15 months on my ML350. So, those oil tests can save money if used properly.


This is a very good point that everyone should consider. I would imagine short trips would even have a larger impact on modern direct injected engines where build up of unburnt fuel in oil can occur.


BroKe
(Post Master Sr)
03/29/22 11:26 PM
Re: Covid Oil Changes

After realizing I haven't done an oil change in exactly 1 year I started to read up if it's bad or not. Apparently because of the temperature changes, condensation can cause moisture which can build up and cause sludge which will block lubrication. That's if you don't drive alot and only drive short trips so the oil doesn't get hot and burn off the moisture. So now I'm slightly paranoid. I'm still at 70% oil life and my last oil change was a year ago. I think I might just do the oil change soon. Can't hurt I guess.