1000 mile oil change?

[MattB]

I switched my car to Mobil 1 full synthetic oil at the last oil change, and I've read that I should change the oil again after 1000 miles because the synthetic oil will clean out the engine and remove particles that will clog the oil filter. Any truth to this?

[Beancooker]

Haven't heard that before. I use full synthetic, and change every 3k miles. I just don't like the idea of 5k miles between changes.

[rxm6]

I'm using good ol' fashion oil from the ground and I have about 132k on the clock. Any advantages to switching to synthetic? Also, I've heard that engines that use regular oil for so long and then switch to synthetic might start leaking. Any reason I should worry about this problem with then amount of miles I have?

[MattB]

Synthetic oil only leads to leaks if the leaks existed before you put in the synthetic oil. Because the molecules are smaller, synthetic oil can leak from smaller holes that might not have leaked from normal oil. As for benefits, you can go longer between oil changes (some say up to 10,000 miles but that's a bad idea). I've also noticed improved fuel economy since switching to synthetic...it went from around 27-28mpg on the highway to about 29-30mpg, and from around 21-22mpg in town to 23-24mpg.

[maxhopper]

If you are just switching to a synthetic oil after using dyno oil, I would probably do a change (filter and oil) after about 2.5k miles just to be on the safe side. I have not seen any definitive data to prove this point; I'd just do it for peace of mind.

[hsckris]

you can go longer between oil changes (some say up to 10,000 miles but that's a bad idea).

Personally I change my vehicles every 5k w/ full syn.

But the quoted statement above is simply not true. I knew a guy awhile back who used to get his oil tested. He got up to ~14,000 miles on conventional oil before its viscosity (sp?) and other properties started significantly declining. It is important to note that if you plan on doing this you should change your oil filter at least every 5k (if not more) and have your oil tested regularly.

As i said, i change mine more regularly b/c I feel like its too much hassle and oil isn't that expensive, so I may as well just change it. But a good oil can last longer than 5k, depending on driving habits, conditions, and enviroment.

[rxm6]

Interesting. You say some people are going 5k and longer on regular oil even. I change my oil religiously every 3k with a new filter and when I empty the old oil its black and slightly oozy. Could this be sludge from the previous owner who probably didn't know what oil was?

P.s. I've only done 2 oil changes in the time I've had the car from the PO.

[NSR_s30]

Thats just silly, if anything you'd be able to extend the time inbetween oil changes with a syn oil cause of less break down. Although I think you'd be safe changing at the regular intervals of 3k. I use Mobil 1 5W30 and I just make sure to change it at 3k.

[A.Tech]

I have Mobil 1 in mine with M1 filter and do it every 5k, IT is normally fine if you keep the oil level in check.