I was wondering if any of you have experimented with engine oils? I was debating switching over to AmsOil aka Scams oil...i was wondering if anyone has done this and noticed results or took particulate tests during oil changes...or is it wiser to stick with the GM recommended Mobil 1??? thanks guys

 

Just stick with Mobil 1.

 

ok thanks...is there a recommended mileage? The book says 3k, but that seems like a lot with the more expensive synthetic...how long have you been running it?

 

the book says change it every 3k then im going to change it every 3k.

something happens to the car i dont want them saying it was cause i didnt change the oil enough

 

Since this is a new car and i have a warranty i figured i would let the oil life monitor decide. Well when it said it was time to change the oil i was at 7000 miles on that oil change. Never again will i do that. But i do think i will let it go for 4 or 5k.

 

yeah, thats kind of what i was thinking, around 4k, cause the book is pretty generic, i dont think it takes into account that its using synthetic...and the oil life thing doesnt test the oil its based on engine revolutions...the lady at the dealer said they usually do the synthetic every 5k, but i was like well this is a high performance car with a supercharger...should it be done more often, and they didnt have any answers...i was hoping someone had some some particulate testing and had some results...maybe i will do some and post it...thanks again for your advice..

 

If the engine was not designed to use the Oil Life Monitor, why would GM put it in the cars to risk having engines damaged by not changing the oil on a regulare basis (3k miles or 3 months)? The monitor is actually an algorithm that takes RPMs, cold starts, temps, etc. into account. The monitors in the SS/SC are calibrated to the Mobil 1. I was also taught the 3k mile rule as I grew up in cars, but the oils that are used today are far superior than those days and can withstand more abuse. If you think that you have to change the oil every 3k miles to keep your warranty, you are mistaken in my opinion.

 

im trying out royal purple on my next oil change.

 

The book also says you can go by the engine oil life meter on the cars dic. which often lasts about 5k to 7k depending on the type of driving you do.

 

yeah i grew up with the 3k 3 month rule too...but like i said with synthetics and the mobil 1, i think 4-5k is perfect...7k seems a bit much on mobile 1, i heard its not the best synthetic out there and breaks down a lil faster...but i agree with staying with what GM disigned and paid for...I am sure they are in cahoots lol..

 

i use royal purple in all of my cars and every car ive had in the last 5 years. i love it, i run it for 5000 miles with filter changes @2500 miles. because the oil shears at much faster rate when its full of carbon. i find it much more noticable in cars that dont run synthetic from the factory. ( i.e. lower engine oil temps, smother idle, slightly better mileage, and the engine seems to turn rpms easier. like i said much more noticable in non factory synthetic motors) it also shears at much higher mileage than mobile. plus with filter changes ever 2500 miles. the oil is still a nice color purple at 5k.


proof enough in this oil came for me in my 2003 blazer extreme 5spd that i bought new and put on an intercooled ati procharger on @10lbs of boost at 5000miles and never ran anything other than royal purple trans, oil and coolant additive. and minus a few clutches it ran (sold it last year at 55k. new owner drives way to much) until 100k with no issues. now i dont know if anyone here is familar with 4.3l balance shaft v6's but a non built 4.3l @10lbs of boost does'nt usaully last long maybe 40k if its not punished and i assure you this truck was punished. couple weekends at lime rock, about 30 nights at epping and to much streeet racing all before 55k and it still runs like a dream. now i know how long a motor lasts under boost has more to do with proper tuning, proper air fuel monitoring and staying on top of ensuring good clean fuel delivery and spark throughout the miles. as i and the current owner do. but hell it still sold me

also gm's oil life monitoring system is not very accurate. its more of an idiot light, like hey ******* you have gone way to far since your last oil change so im going to turn on a little light you are to stupid to figure out how to turn off. (most pre 2004 cars oil life reset is not as obvious as the cobalt or newer gm models) plus it does'nt monitor viscosity or carbon content. it goes by engine load and rpms as well as mileage. the problem is it does'nt ussually come on until 6-7k and by then most car are anywhere from 1-3 qts low on oil. and well past the shear point of the oil plus the filter stopped really filtering carbon about 2-3k miles ago.

 

I change religiously @ 4k miles and before every race track trip. I also have only been using Mobil 1. Thought about trying Amsoil also. It is rated as a very good oil. IMO all top brands of fully synthetic will be very very close to the same.

 

An oil change at 3000k is fine if you are still running conventional dino juice. For the SS/SC, 5000 miles is a good number. I don't mind using the Oil Life Monitor and change it around 7000 or so. Obviously if GM put it in there, they must believe in it or else why would they recommend you go by it?

Course, I don't beat my car. If you run the crap out of it, then probably stick with 5000.

A lot of people swear by the Royal Purple, and I've seen a few here that have Amsoil. I even know one guy who put the Amsoil in is BMW and got a significant increase in MPG.

One thing that you shouldn't overlook though is a high quality filter. Some of the best you can buy are Wix, Purolator, and some people even stick with the AC Delco (which is surprisingly a good filter).