quote:Originally posted by Trajan:
Can't argue there. Extended drains are not for everyone.
Extended drains are not a matter of personal preference,they are a matter of technological breakthroughs and economic/environmental mandates.
Motor oil has been proven to actually lube better with use vs brand new lube.
The only time I would agree with frequent oil changes is when there are issues such as a worn/tired used engine that kills the oil due to a study diet of low grade lubes.
Other than the above issue......extended oil changes are no problem with the right oil chemistry on a sound engine/emission/coolant and fuel delivery system......preferably when new/almost new with no pre-existing wear or sludge from previous inferior lubes.
I have several co-workers who did the 3k oil change and lost an engine due to a blown head gasket or defective injector subsequently wiping the engine out in short order(heavy knocking,or worse--hydrolocking)......NO ONE IS TOTALLY IMMUNE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE---INCLUDING COLLISIONS AND THEFT.
Performing UOA is not practical for the average motorist and simply isn't going to happen unless the on board systems analyze the oil on the fly---which may become mainstream one day for all the functional lubes.......don't hold your breath just yet for that one.
For now,the lifetime/extended life fluids are proving themselves to be the practical economic choice overall for most motorists. I know of people for example who never change their OEM gear lubes or ATF,and have no issues even at 150k...granted the ATF looks very bad on the stick.