My Oil Change Interval Debate Rant

[cbdallas]

Temperature, trip lengths, engine speeds & load, time & miles since last oil change.....there are a lot of metrics that go into the computer's determination of the OCI. I thought since my Camaro spends most of its time on the highway to and from work that I'd get a nice long OCI out of it. Wrong. It started asking for an oil change at 5200 miles, and it runs on Mobil1.

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

Temperature, trip lengths, engine speeds & load, time & miles since last oil change.....there are a lot of metrics that go into the computer's determination of the OCI. I thought since my Camaro spends most of its time on the highway to and from work that I'd get a nice long OCI out of it. Wrong. It started asking for an oil change at 5200 miles, and it runs on Mobil1.

My 02 Z06 would get >9k miles on the OLM, but it was running Amsoil.

[UnleashedBeast]

The funny thing about OLM's, they have no clue what grade of lubricant is in the sump. The PCM has no idea that it's possible to extend the OCI due to a superior lubricant. It's plays it safe and assumes there is a cheaper lubricant in the sump.

[cbdallas]

That's kinda why the Camaro disappointed me....I don't think it realizes it has Mobil1 in it. I wish it knew. My sister's Lexus IS250 can go 10,000 miles on whatever oil Lexus puts in it. I expected somewhere in the same neighborhood from the GM 3.6.

[TboneZX3]

Originally Posted by UnleashedBeast

Update:


The standard Amsoil filter for the Focus is the Ea15k51. However, I chose to use the longer version for more capacity. There are two alternate filters with the same 3/4"-16 threads.

The EaO34 - same diameter as the OEM oil filter, but longer for ~1/2 quart more oil capacity. Will allow you to increase your engine to a 5 quart sump with this one simple filter swap in the stock location.

I see that the EaO34 cross-references to the FL-400S Motorcraft filter. I suppose any 2012 Focus owner could switch from the FL-910S to the FL-400S and gain a little capacity, right? The thread and diameter specs are the same, so I suppose there would be no drawback.

Would the EaO34 or FL400S hang down low enough to be in an unsafe location in the even of a front-end collision? I read on BITOG that the 910S was designed to be shorter than the 400S for this very reason.

[UnleashedBeast]

Originally Posted by TboneZX3

I see that the EaO34 cross-references to the FL-400S Motorcraft filter. I suppose any 2012 Focus owner could switch from the FL-910S to the FL-400S and gain a little capacity, right? The thread and diameter specs are the same, so I suppose there would be no drawback.

Correct, it's a direct swap. However, the new 400s is shorter than older version.

Originally Posted by TboneZX3

Would the EaO34 or FL400S hang down low enough to be in an unsafe location in the even of a front-end collision? I read on BITOG that the 910S was designed to be shorter than the 400S for this very reason.

If you have a front end collision bad enough to make it to the oil filter, damaging it will be the least of your worries.

[craigsfocus]

Changed my oil today. Didn't get a kit so I could do a oil analysis on it though. :( I had a little over 6000 miles on the Motorcraft 5w-20 Full Synthetic. The oil that came out was blacker than the devils soul. The oil felt like it had no more lubrication, felt closer to water than oil. The past 3 fill ups have been consistently in the 28-30 MPG range. I don't drive for the optimal fuel mileage, but in the past I was getting 30-33 MPG on my daily commute. I will be monitoring the next few fill ups to see if the oil change made a difference. It is hot here (100 F+), so I am working my Focus AC pretty regularly. But I do feel that the oil had reached its maximum service life. It now has Amsoil Signature Series 5w-20 in it now, with a Amsoil Ea15k51 filter.

[UnleashedBeast]

Is it just in my head, or does the direct injected 2.0L feel more responsive with 93 octane and Amsoil Signature Series 5W-20?

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by UnleashedBeast

Is it just in my head, or does the direct injected 2.0L feel more responsive with 93 octane and Amsoil Signature Series 5W-20?

I don't know about the oil having any real effect, but the 2.0L GDI Ti-Vct engine is running at 12:1 compression, and if it can sense the onset of pre-ignition to be coming on later it can advance the timing more on 91-93 octane than it can on 87 octane.

[craigsfocus]

Originally Posted by UnleashedBeast

Is it just in my head, or does the direct injected 2.0L feel more responsive with 93 octane and Amsoil Signature Series 5W-20?

She felt more responsive to me. I thought she was just happy to get her oil changed. The engine was quieter too, you could barely hear the valve train with the hood open.