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MP4VT2004
Joined: 09/09/2007
Posts: 24,522
Likes: 26,027
MP4VT2004

5,000 should be fine with synthetics, but anything more is a risk, IMO.

I think technically, modern synthetic oils can do just fine going 10,000 miles without breaking down or losing their lubricity. However, the issue seems to be oil contamination from blow-by gases and the PCV system. With modern engines using turbos and/or higher compression ratios, plus often incorporating low-tension piston rings for better fuel economy, combustion gases are more likely to get past the piston rings into the crankcase, which causes carbon contamination that can lead to sludge buildup. That buildup can reduce lubricity, cause excessive engine wear, and in extreme cases, can completely clog the oil filter (leading to filter bypass and zero filtration) or even worse, clog the oil pickup screen, in which case your engine will starve of oil and will eventually seize. I recently watched a YouTube video of an extreme engine sludge case on a Kia...a young kid went tens of thousands of miles between oil changes and by the time a mechanic noticed an issue, the inside of the engine looked like chocolate pudding. So, I have to agree with the old saying, "engine oil is pretty cheap...a new engine is not".
Posted: 05/14/2025 at 10:14 AM ET
(In response to this post by vt90)

Thread Replies (65)

Full Thread →
"Change your smoke detector batteries every time we have a time change".
Late 80s Hokie • 05/14/25 09:26 AM ET
I handled quite a few fire claims where folks died, and had no working
Stork • 05/14/25 12:32 PM ET
Are you sure they died because of the lack of functioning smoke detectors?
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 12:46 PM ET
Interesting. Now I can say I never handled a death claim where they had
Stork • 05/14/25 12:58 PM ET
I was just ribbing you...tangential joke to the motor oil convo. below.
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 01:09 PM ET
Oh I know. People say I should write a book about all the crazy stuff I saw**
Stork • 05/14/25 01:17 PM ET
It keeps getting crazier, too. **
RhinoVT • 05/14/25 01:29 PM ET
You should. Or have your son help you pitch a sitcom to some TV execs.**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 01:19 PM ET
Geez. That is not the way to go.
Brown Water • 05/14/25 01:06 PM ET
Yea, it was awful. The adjustable bed was an adult son who was bed ridden
Stork • 05/14/25 01:15 PM ET
Moral of the stories, don't let yourself end up immobilized and dependent
Brown Water • 05/14/25 01:34 PM ET
Terrible. 😞 I can't imagine what that father went through.**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 01:17 PM ET
Get the kind with 10 year batteries?**
aint2Hokie4me • 05/14/25 11:39 AM ET
Go with the synthetic 20 year ones**
MAHokie69 • 05/14/25 01:27 PM ET
They stand up to combustion gases better...**
RTFC • 05/14/25 01:38 PM ET
I change mine once a year...
MBHokie90 • 05/14/25 11:00 AM ET
Same ...
Beerman • 05/14/25 10:55 AM ET
Just put in combo smoke/CO detectors with never replace batteries
Hokerer • 05/14/25 10:37 AM ET
Not me...I like the annoying loud beep that I can never pin down the exact
Tuckahokie • 05/14/25 10:27 AM ET
I was planning on replacing my smoke detectors with Nest Protects
HokieNoVA • 05/14/25 10:12 AM ET
Ugh, seriously? I've already been through this once with a "smart" detector
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 10:17 AM ET
Yep, they stopped making them. They will still support existing detectors
HokieNoVA • 05/14/25 10:24 AM ET
Sigh. This is the constant issue with the "smart ecosystem".
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 10:57 AM ET
That's why you should stick with Thread and Matter compliant devices
EDGEMAN • 05/14/25 12:29 PM ET
It's sure having a working smoke or carbon monoxide alarm plan
PhotoHokieNC • 05/14/25 09:50 AM ET
Like changing your oil every 3,000 miles.
Chris ColemanAdmin • 05/14/25 09:30 AM ET
Welcome to "It's not 1955 anymore."**
PhotoHokieNC • 05/14/25 09:51 AM ET
1985?
EDGEMAN • 05/14/25 10:39 AM ET
Or more with Synthetic
UTPr0sim • 05/14/25 09:42 AM ET
Very bad idea, IMO.
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 09:48 AM ET
As someone that owns multiple oil brands, there are a lot of factors
AirborneHokie96 • 05/15/25 07:25 AM ET
Exactly...the oil is fine to go longer if it's clean...
MP4VT2004 • 05/15/25 09:03 AM ET
Depends on the additive packs that you use as well for the clean
AirborneHokie96 • 05/15/25 09:39 AM ET
With full synthetic, my car's recommended oil change interval is 15,000**
Tafkam Hokie • 05/14/25 11:34 AM ET
If you trade cars every 3 years, then go for it.**
EDGEMAN • 05/14/25 12:31 PM ET
Is that under the "severe use" maintenance schedule?**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 12:25 PM ET
Don’t get me started on “reputable mechanics.” How would a mechanic know?
vatechcowpatty • 05/14/25 10:35 AM ET
I'm not sure I follow the point you are trying to make.
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 10:48 AM ET
Absolutely. That is the engineers job. Not the mechanic. The mechanics
vatechcowpatty • 05/14/25 11:52 AM ET
With all due respect, I don't think manufacturers are concerned with...
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 12:08 PM ET
Manufacturers want longer intervals, so they can publish their autos...
EDGEMAN • 05/14/25 12:35 PM ET
I have 2 Hondas. Both all synthetic and both ADVISE 7500. I just asked my
UTPr0sim • 05/14/25 12:12 PM ET
I'm guessing 7,500 is probably OK as long as the level is checked regularly
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 12:22 PM ET
What he's saying is...
Beerman • 05/14/25 10:58 AM ET
So if a mechanic has seen a plethora of engines break down "prematurely"...
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 11:06 AM ET
I'm not suggesting that anyone should deviate from their owner's manual
Beerman • 05/14/25 11:57 AM ET
Essentially, those videos are Mechanics' NIL.**
PhotoHokieNC • 05/14/25 12:02 PM ET
I drive my car about 2500 miles per year and always use synthetic ...
vt90 • 05/14/25 10:00 AM ET
5,000 should be fine with synthetics, but anything more is a risk, IMO. ◄
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 10:14 AM ET
Or you could be my wife(prior to meeting me) and just add oil at regular
ElbertoHokie • 05/14/25 11:47 AM ET
Yikes. I guess she was trying, at least?**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 12:09 PM ET
Does time play a factor at all?
MBHokie90 • 05/14/25 11:04 AM ET
I recommend changing your oil every 5K miles, or 1 year...
EDGEMAN • 05/14/25 12:37 PM ET
I believe it does, but probably more with conventional oil than synthetic.
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 12:14 PM ET
Good to know...
MBHokie90 • 05/14/25 01:59 PM ET
I'm not familiar with electric oil, so I'm not sure how long it lasts. TIC**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 02:38 PM ET
Nailed it!
EDGEMAN • 05/14/25 10:52 AM ET
That was a lot of really big words. Are you really ChatGPT?**
vt90 • 05/14/25 10:22 AM ET
In reality, you and all the other humans on the internet are ChatGPT.
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 10:50 AM ET
Funny. I think I get dumber when I interact with more and more humans
vt90 • 05/14/25 10:54 AM ET
Truth!**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 10:54 AM ET
Here's a video from The Car Care Nut channel about 10k OCIs**
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 09:54 AM ET
Yup. Plus, having a broader timeline is easier to forget altogether.**
PhotoHokieNC • 05/14/25 09:53 AM ET
Correct. Many shops at going to 5,000 to 7,000 for oil changes due to the
Brewing_Hokie • 05/14/25 09:53 AM ET
Yep. I've done 3,000-5,000 on my '08 Ram since I bought it with 16k miles.
MP4VT2004 • 05/14/25 09:59 AM ET
The last two new vehicles I bought said once per year is fine if you drive
vt90 • 05/14/25 09:37 AM ET