When is the best time to check your engine oil to get a good reading?

[hindian]

Bosch workshop filters are very entry level.
However the ones above are of a very high grade.
Purolator units are good and I use the synthetic units in my servicing and oil packages. Wix is also another top notch filter. The silver and gold Fram units are great filters as well.
The issue with filters comes about when ppl use synthetic oils and run for over 5k km and expect a regular filter or an OE unit to also go the distance. OE filters are not synthetic and dealers need to stop sticking to that misguidance all for selling their parts.
I haven't sliced a Fram unit in pieces in years so not sure if they changed their internal construction but haven't heard any bad feedback in years and they seem to be on every shelf of every parts place so ppl are using them.

Understood. I try to get Purolator Tech or the red version mostly. In a pinch I'll take a Sakura because for years I've been using both brands without issue air oil and fuel.

[rollingstock]

I use Bosch or Wix oil filters from ausco. Mitsu engines seems to love shell helix so I use that exclusively.

[agent007]

Hindian, I got successfully frightened over the years that I stick to OEM and the occasional fram ultra synthetic. I also used a K&N once that I got from teknet years ago. Coming to think of it, if all these aftermarket filters are rubbish as some claim them to be, then I’m not seeing the evidence of shut down cars on our shoulders etc. mere fact that these filters are so plentiful and in constant supply, I would assume at least it’s doing something!

Rory, I’ll check that out, who has that for sale? Pairing a Mobil1 extended performance with some Amsoil 5W-30 means I would be good to go until May 2023.

[adnj]

I also learnt to stay far from Bosch, Purolator and FRAM oil filters. I always hear mechanics say to go oem or the only Fram they would recommend is the gold ultra synthetic.

I used to use the Bosch Distance Plus oil filters at each oil change every 10,000km and never had any issues.

I can’t get that filter anymore for my car and have switch to the Mobil 1 Extended Performance oil filters at the same interval. Mobil 1 says that filter can be used for a year or 20,000 miles (not km), whichever comes first.

Bosch, Fram, Purolator, Denso, and AC Delco are some of the largest oil filter (and other automotive parts) manufacturers in the world. They also manufacture OEM oil filters.

No OEM manufactures their own oil filters - they just buy them with an OEM label. If you got hold to a bad filter, it is very possible that it was counterfeit - there are lots of those around.

Look for the manufacturer of your favorite OEM filter. They probabably have the same thing available aftermarket.

[ProtonPowder]

On my 4a92 i used the orange fram twice before I knew any better, they only stayed for 5k km each time.
Afterwards I used the gold fram then switched to the OEM filter because it was cheaper than the fram gold.

Using that with mobil-1 full synth 10w-30, the car doesnt lose a drop of oil between intervals and it doesnt miss a beat. All this ado about filters and oil type wont matter for the majority of people during regular service intervals of 5-10k km.

For people who like to use their aftermarket oiled cone hot air intakes, their oil and filter have a lot more work to do.

[viedcht]

I change my synthetic oil every 7500-8000kms, around 5000 I just change the filter and top up till tune up time

[Dave]

What brand and how did you arrive at that change interval?

[viedcht]

^purolator brand mostly, or Bosch. I stay clear of Fram and another brand, can't remember name.

And no arithmetic went into intervals... just think after 5k even synthetic need a lil tlc, so just use a new filter for the last lap when oil dirtier.

Did this on all gas cars I had, except diesel. Use to treat Surf like a baby.

[Dave]

Cool. Just like to hear ppls reasoning and why.
What brand of oil?

[viedcht]

Cool. Just like to hear ppls reasoning and why.
What brand of oil?

A31 RB25nonTurbo -10-30, use to use royal purple but after it was pricey and scarce Amsoil
GV J20 was 10-30 Amsoil/valvoline/ but Shell mostly
S Liana M16 nonvvt and B14 GA15 was experiment 10-30 Shell/Kendall, use np a few times

I find 10/30 is a good grade oil overall. Plenty mechanics watch old car and just give a 20/50 verdict instantly, but it really depends on the engine condition as we all know. All my vehicles were used, and its worth a garage day to know the actual condition.

[ProtonPowder]

Cool. Just like to hear ppls reasoning and why.
What brand of oil?

mobil1 10w-30 full synthetic
because once is full synthetic from a reputable brand with a reasonable oil change interval, the rest doesnt matter nearly as much as people think, unless you dealing with high mileage or more extreme usage

[Rory Phoulorie]

Rory, I’ll check that out, who has that for sale? Pairing a Mobil1 extended performance with some Amsoil 5W-30 means I would be good to go until May 2023.

I import my own filters. I get them off Amazon.

[agent007]

Changing Amsoil at 7 to 7.5k intervals is wasting the oil. It can literally go twice that range and you would have nothing to worry about.

If some people want the comfort of knowing they have "full synthetic" in their car and still wish to change out at 7.5k, then it have brands like Castrol, Shell, Gulf and Kendall for that.

@ Rory, ok cool.

[Dave]

Mobil being changed so quickly?
You are spending good money on synthetics which can run 10k km easily.
From agents list I would exclude Shell. If it is the same blend as Pennzoil then it too can run 10k km easily. No experience with Shell apart from Massy not knowing what oil they are using in the XV and they still saying to change every 5k km when North America has intervals 5-7.5k miles when they eventually said it is Shell and not barrel oil.

[timelapse]

With mine is genuine Honda oil and filter or nothing.

[alfa]

Cool. Just like to hear ppls reasoning and why.
What brand of oil?

mobil1 10w-30 full synthetic
because once is full synthetic from a reputable brand with a reasonable oil change interval, the rest doesnt matter nearly as much as people think, unless you dealing with high mileage or more extreme usage

I use 15/40 synthetic on the Hilux diesel, whatever brand available usually amsoil or Mobil and original filter and change at 7k.
But when you consider B12,13,14 etc I don't think anyone ever used a single original part much less filter or synthetic oil on those vehicles and they are still on the road. Some with over half a million kms, so I dunno about best filter and oil and if it's really worth the hype

[S_2NR]

Mobil being changed so quickly?
You are spending good money on synthetics which can run 10k km easily.
From agents list I would exclude Shell. If it is the same blend as Pennzoil then it too can run 10k km easily. No experience with Shell apart from Massy not knowing what oil they are using in the XV and they still saying to change every 5k km when North America has intervals 5-7.5k miles when they eventually said it is Shell and not barrel oil.

I use Mobil1 and change before 10k as well. Maintenance reminder in vehicle is set at 7500k.
Dont want to push it with the conditions we have here in trinidad - lots of stop/go traffic, humid and hot temps, dusty etc. and the manual actually recommends a shorter interval than 10k, with these driving conditions.

[Zalos]

I normally use castrol/kendall/valvoline with any filter thats not fram.
Change every 5000km.

Last time I used kendall and sakura filter on my yaris and I find the engine was a bit more yellow/varnish.

[zorced]

I always don't check it when it reaches operating temperature even though the manual says it. Only cold.
What is the purpose of checking it at operating temperature? Even if we are in a warm climate?

I suspect the purpose to check hot is to avoid overfilling as the hot oil should read higher.

At the same time you might read it while oil still dripping back to the sump and end up overfilling anyway. They say over 5 minutes in the manual but I feel like that can't be enough.

So I end up just going cold anyway. 3/4 max with a primed filter.

[agent007]

Fellas....some of alluh wasting money lol.

If you want to follow the manufacturer's recommended intervals or the intercepted local dealer intervals which is every 5k kms, then use the cheapest 5W-30 or 0W-20 you could find.

Changing out Mobil1, Amsoil and Motul before 10k is pure wastage.

Now, recall that mere days ago I filled up a 1NZ-FE that had 2.25 yr old molasses looking Valvoline in it with Amsoil 5W-30. Obviously I might stick to 7.5k or will stretch to 10k depending on the oil color, smell and texture.

Reason being, I expect Amsoil's superior detergent technology to do some scrubbing which the new OEM Toyota filter should be able to capture some impurities.

Upon next oil change, the Amsoil I intend to refill with will definitely go to 15k.

If anyone of you all have an oil burning issue or weak piston rings, the RESTORE formula works wonders. It also restores compression.

Upon drain out, fill in the restore (don't mix with any additives or flushes) and then pour in your full synthetic after, preferably Amsoil and watch your engine regain some hp and torque.

I know I'm digressing here but make sure you all buy the correct replacement plugs for your engine. Cross reference your engine model # to the NGK and or Denso charts. The 1NZ-FE I'm talking about got a fresh set of Denso iridiums (oem plugs never changed) and a new Toyota oem filter. The engine feels like it just gained 5-10hp on the butt dyno.

For the K&N drop in people, to me that is gimmick and headache. After it dirty to clean it then wait for it to dry then to re-oil (in the meantime your car is using another filter while said k&n is drying). All that and you're NOT going to even get a noticeable hp gain. I also saw re-oiled k&ns affecting air flow sensors and throttle bodies etc.

[hindian]

Sometimes like in my case, that engine restore didn't work for reducing my oil consumption the problem was my valve seals were harder than 2 day old sada and just had to be replaced. My choice of oil because (1) I poor and (2) it never fail me in any vehicle I ever own and (3) I change oil at least 3 times for the year has always been NP 20w50, 10w30 and 15w40 diesel according to the vehicle. All these horror stories men does be posting about NP I am yet to experience in the 22 years I've owned, driven and maintained my own vehicles with their products. Down to Radol I using without problems.

[S_2NR]

Changing out Mobil1, Amsoil and Motul before 10k is pure wastage.

What about these brands make you say that tho? Is it just reputation? What about time intervals between changes when the car is driven as much?

[agent007]

Yup reputation based on test results scattered all over the internet and also, synthetic oil has come a long way. It can go further than the 5000km intervals that older mineral oils met. It makes no sense for someone to buy Amsoil for their car because the brand is reassuring to have but yet drain it out at 7500kms. If you more concerned with frequency, then forget the brand. Fill up your car like our friend above with NP Ultra every 3 months. I’m pretty sure all will be well with the engine. If you’re concerned with longer drain intervals, then Amsoil or another top tier brand it is!

But if someone chooses to buy a top tier brand and change it out after 5-7k kms, then all power to them. It’s their money and they entitled to spend it as they see fit.

[S_2NR]

^ good points but unfortunately i get antsy around 8k and do the oil change for peace of mind. this is with OEM filter as well. but ill see if i could make it to 10k this rounds and observe the condition of the oil.

[agent007]

NP get big in the dance, it made it in a Scotty Kilmer video!

[nick639v2]

Ngl it have real ppl using np diesel oil with nothing but praises. And after taking a look of the spec sheet like the viscosity at operating temps and tbn numbers etc it trading blows with amzoil inno

[rollingstock]

I much rather frequent changes than extended change interval. Just a personal preference. I use shell helix semi-synthetic.

[agent007]

Anyone ever ordered a blackstone oil analysis kit, submitted a sample and received a report? Know anyone who can do this locally?

[daring dragoon]

the oil in your daddy time was 20w50. do they use that in them foreign used ?

[Dave]

Np engine oils are very good. Radol for the older cooling systems again a great product. The Dex/Merc spec transmissions again a good product.
They have a catch all CVT which I have no direct info about but given it is red and looks and smells like Castrol's CVT fluid I want to believe it is rebottled Castrol.

20w-50 is still relevant just not for engines manufacturerd after 1990 where engine tolerances became tighter and thinner oils was required to reach and lubricate moving engine parts.

As your engine wears and oil burns off you can graduate to thicker viscosity oils so there is less burn off and reduce further wear.