Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Stubby wrote:
>
>
> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
> The oil analysis is to get information on engine wear, not to avoid an
> oil change.

Actually, it provides information that can be used for both. It
indicates if the oil is still functioning properly so that one can
adjust oil change intervals as necessary. Of course, you can choose not
to do so and in the case of aircraft, you may be legally bound to follow
a specific maintenance schedule. That's not true of privately-owned cars.

> An airplane engine is more expensive than your car and if wear is
> happening, it needs to be addressed promptly.

Wear always happens. The oil analysis will point to particular areas of
wear and indicate whether there is any abnormal wear that needs to be
addressed.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

PMDR wrote:
> And what about oil? Suppose Joe Racer hypes a crappy brand. Who
> cares. It only has to last A race. Your passenger oil needs to last a
> lot longer under much more harsh conditions like stop and go, failure
> to reach proper temps, jackrabbits, etc.

While your other points are absolutely valid, I have to take issue with
this one. There are no "crappy" oils on the market, at least not as long
as you buy SAE certified oils (which most are). One can argue and
nit-pick and hypothesize that X brand is better than Y brand, but if
it's got the SAE certification on the label, it's good enough for any
car. About the only significant differnce in oils is between natural and
synthetic, with the latter being demonstrably superior in most test
criteria. However, the real-world difference is more in the realm of
"extra insurance" than "clear advantage", since natural oils are
certainly good enough. Perhaps the only clear advantage of synthetics
for normal driving is that you may get better fuel economy, especially
in cold weather.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

PMDR wrote:
> And what about oil? Suppose Joe Racer hypes a crappy brand. Who
> cares. It only has to last A race. Your passenger oil needs to last a
> lot longer under much more harsh conditions like stop and go, failure
> to reach proper temps, jackrabbits, etc.

While your other points are absolutely valid, I have to take issue with
this one. There are no "crappy" oils on the market, at least not as long
as you buy SAE certified oils (which most are). One can argue and
nit-pick and hypothesize that X brand is better than Y brand, but if
it's got the SAE certification on the label, it's good enough for any
car. About the only significant differnce in oils is between natural and
synthetic, with the latter being demonstrably superior in most test
criteria. However, the real-world difference is more in the realm of
"extra insurance" than "clear advantage", since natural oils are
certainly good enough. Perhaps the only clear advantage of synthetics
for normal driving is that you may get better fuel economy, especially
in cold weather.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

PMDR wrote:
> And what about oil? Suppose Joe Racer hypes a crappy brand. Who
> cares. It only has to last A race. Your passenger oil needs to last a
> lot longer under much more harsh conditions like stop and go, failure
> to reach proper temps, jackrabbits, etc.

While your other points are absolutely valid, I have to take issue with
this one. There are no "crappy" oils on the market, at least not as long
as you buy SAE certified oils (which most are). One can argue and
nit-pick and hypothesize that X brand is better than Y brand, but if
it's got the SAE certification on the label, it's good enough for any
car. About the only significant differnce in oils is between natural and
synthetic, with the latter being demonstrably superior in most test
criteria. However, the real-world difference is more in the realm of
"extra insurance" than "clear advantage", since natural oils are
certainly good enough. Perhaps the only clear advantage of synthetics
for normal driving is that you may get better fuel economy, especially
in cold weather.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e4qAg.3086$sy2.676@trndny01...

> While your other points are absolutely valid, I have to take issue with
> this one. There are no "crappy" oils on the market, at least not as long
> as you buy SAE certified oils (which most are). One can argue and
> nit-pick and hypothesize that X brand is better than Y brand, but if
> it's got the SAE certification on the label, it's good enough for any
> car. About the only significant differnce in oils is between natural and
> synthetic, with the latter being demonstrably superior in most test
> criteria. However, the real-world difference is more in the realm of
> "extra insurance" than "clear advantage", since natural oils are
> certainly good enough. Perhaps the only clear advantage of synthetics
> for normal driving is that you may get better fuel economy, especially
> in cold weather.

I tend to agree. If an oil meets the certification criteria, it is probably
just fine. I have long felt that some oils tend to varnish the engines
a bit more than others, but this is a subjective and anecdotal comment.

Synthetic lubricants have some interesting test data, not all of which
apply to the primary job of lubrication. I am sure they are quite good,
and may use them in the future, but not to delay change schedules.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e4qAg.3086$sy2.676@trndny01...

> While your other points are absolutely valid, I have to take issue with
> this one. There are no "crappy" oils on the market, at least not as long
> as you buy SAE certified oils (which most are). One can argue and
> nit-pick and hypothesize that X brand is better than Y brand, but if
> it's got the SAE certification on the label, it's good enough for any
> car. About the only significant differnce in oils is between natural and
> synthetic, with the latter being demonstrably superior in most test
> criteria. However, the real-world difference is more in the realm of
> "extra insurance" than "clear advantage", since natural oils are
> certainly good enough. Perhaps the only clear advantage of synthetics
> for normal driving is that you may get better fuel economy, especially
> in cold weather.

I tend to agree. If an oil meets the certification criteria, it is probably
just fine. I have long felt that some oils tend to varnish the engines
a bit more than others, but this is a subjective and anecdotal comment.

Synthetic lubricants have some interesting test data, not all of which
apply to the primary job of lubrication. I am sure they are quite good,
and may use them in the future, but not to delay change schedules.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e4qAg.3086$sy2.676@trndny01...

> While your other points are absolutely valid, I have to take issue with
> this one. There are no "crappy" oils on the market, at least not as long
> as you buy SAE certified oils (which most are). One can argue and
> nit-pick and hypothesize that X brand is better than Y brand, but if
> it's got the SAE certification on the label, it's good enough for any
> car. About the only significant differnce in oils is between natural and
> synthetic, with the latter being demonstrably superior in most test
> criteria. However, the real-world difference is more in the realm of
> "extra insurance" than "clear advantage", since natural oils are
> certainly good enough. Perhaps the only clear advantage of synthetics
> for normal driving is that you may get better fuel economy, especially
> in cold weather.

I tend to agree. If an oil meets the certification criteria, it is probably
just fine. I have long felt that some oils tend to varnish the engines
a bit more than others, but this is a subjective and anecdotal comment.

Synthetic lubricants have some interesting test data, not all of which
apply to the primary job of lubrication. I am sure they are quite good,
and may use them in the future, but not to delay change schedules.

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Brian Nystrom wrote:

> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
>
> Probably the biggest benefit of UOA is that it proves to people that
> oils last much longer than many of them think. With any kind of luck, it
> will convince people once and for all that changing your oil any more
> frequently than the car manufacturer recommends is an unnecessary waste
> of a diminishing resource. Any money saved is a secondary benefit.

True, but during the warranty period it is the manufacturers that need
to be convinced. I'd change my Hyundai oil at 10K miles if I wasn't
worried about voiding the warranty. And with the 100K warranty, it
means I can't start my 10K intervals for a long time.


Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Brian Nystrom wrote:

> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
>
> Probably the biggest benefit of UOA is that it proves to people that
> oils last much longer than many of them think. With any kind of luck, it
> will convince people once and for all that changing your oil any more
> frequently than the car manufacturer recommends is an unnecessary waste
> of a diminishing resource. Any money saved is a secondary benefit.

True, but during the warranty period it is the manufacturers that need
to be convinced. I'd change my Hyundai oil at 10K miles if I wasn't
worried about voiding the warranty. And with the 100K warranty, it
means I can't start my 10K intervals for a long time.


Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Brian Nystrom wrote:

> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
>
> Probably the biggest benefit of UOA is that it proves to people that
> oils last much longer than many of them think. With any kind of luck, it
> will convince people once and for all that changing your oil any more
> frequently than the car manufacturer recommends is an unnecessary waste
> of a diminishing resource. Any money saved is a secondary benefit.

True, but during the warranty period it is the manufacturers that need
to be convinced. I'd change my Hyundai oil at 10K miles if I wasn't
worried about voiding the warranty. And with the 100K warranty, it
means I can't start my 10K intervals for a long time.


Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Stubby wrote:

>
>
> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
> The oil analysis is to get information on engine wear, not to avoid an
> oil change.
> An airplane engine is more expensive than your car and if wear is
> happening, it needs to be addressed promptly.

It is actually both. Yes, the main benefit for airplanes is avoiding
engine failure, but you can also extend drain intervals with oil
analysis. For large truck fleets, the analysis is typically all about
extending drain intervals.

Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Stubby wrote:

>
>
> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
> The oil analysis is to get information on engine wear, not to avoid an
> oil change.
> An airplane engine is more expensive than your car and if wear is
> happening, it needs to be addressed promptly.

It is actually both. Yes, the main benefit for airplanes is avoiding
engine failure, but you can also extend drain intervals with oil
analysis. For large truck fleets, the analysis is typically all about
extending drain intervals.

Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Stubby wrote:

>
>
> rmac wrote:
>
>> "dbltap" <DoubleTap@37.com> wrote in message
>> news:1ucAg.2477$xp2.1947@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>
>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/02/d...-via-analysis/
>>>
>>
>> Interesting how some people spend $30 for an oil analysis in order to
>> avoid a $20 oil change. hmmmm.
>
> The oil analysis is to get information on engine wear, not to avoid an
> oil change.
> An airplane engine is more expensive than your car and if wear is
> happening, it needs to be addressed promptly.

It is actually both. Yes, the main benefit for airplanes is avoiding
engine failure, but you can also extend drain intervals with oil
analysis. For large truck fleets, the analysis is typically all about
extending drain intervals.

Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Mike Marlow wrote:

> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
> news:vgkAg.181$Db4.17540@news1.epix.net...
>
>
>>Yes, that is the main reason I don't use it for my cars. Now for
>>airplanes that use 12 quarts of expensive oil and have serious
>>consequences of engine failure
>
>
> Oh Bunk! Take those sissy pants off Matt and act like a man. Those
> barnstormers of old didn't fiddle about worrying about such things and look
> how exciting they were. Besides everyone knows that if you jump up just
> before the moment of impact...

I never used oil analysis when I owned my Skylane. I'm talking about
what others do. :-)

Matt

Re: Determining oil change intervals via analysis
 

Mike Marlow wrote:

> "Matt Whiting" <whiting@epix.net> wrote in message
> news:vgkAg.181$Db4.17540@news1.epix.net...
>
>
>>Yes, that is the main reason I don't use it for my cars. Now for
>>airplanes that use 12 quarts of expensive oil and have serious
>>consequences of engine failure
>
>
> Oh Bunk! Take those sissy pants off Matt and act like a man. Those
> barnstormers of old didn't fiddle about worrying about such things and look
> how exciting they were. Besides everyone knows that if you jump up just
> before the moment of impact...

I never used oil analysis when I owned my Skylane. I'm talking about
what others do. :-)

Matt