Break in Oil

Vlakaz · #1 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 01:58 PM

I remember reading about some guys changing oil early, I did a search for oil and oil change and nothing came up so I am posting this question... please merge with appropriate thread if there is another one.

I remember reading that alot of you are changing oil early and its coming out pretty dark. I have almost 1000 miles on mine now and I want to change the oil.
This might be a silly questions but, I was wondering if the factory oil is some type of special break in oil or has some needed break in lubricant in it? Or can I go ahead and chnage it?

tedcmiller · #2 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 02:14 PM

New cars no longer require any kind of special "break in" oil. They come from the factory with the oil that is recommended for all future oil changes in them. As far as early oil changes are concerned, it is a matter of choice. People that run their vehicle hard, tend to change the oil sooner. Some years back, Consumer Reports ran a test on identical taxicab fleets. They started the test with new engines in both fleets and all measurements taken and recorded. They changed the oil at 3000 miles in one group and ran the second group to 6000 miles without changing the oil. Both sets of engines were then dismantled and the measurements taken again. They could find no significant difference between the two groups. Obviously, if you do not run the vehicle at all, it will probably last a very long time. There is no thread, that I know of, on this subject.

vperl · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 04:25 PM

Factory oil is Mobil one

TopperHarley · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 04:26 PM

I have the thread you're talking about bookmarked for when I break down and get my V, but spam filters won't let me link web addresses due to newbie status.

~Topper

readyact · #5 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlakaz

I remember reading about some guys changing oil early, I did a search for oil and oil change and nothing came up so I am posting this question... please merge with appropriate thread if there is another one.

I remember reading that alot of you are changing oil early and its coming out pretty dark. I have almost 1000 miles on mine now and I want to change the oil.
This might be a silly questions but, I was wondering if the factory oil is some type of special break in oil or has some needed break in lubricant in it? Or can I go ahead and chnage it?

Here are some of the links:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...lter-when.html (Just got Amsoil oil and filter...When should I drop factory oil? 500 or 1000 miles?)

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...es-before.html (quick question. How many miles before first oil change?)

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...up-amsoil.html (Filled all 3 holes up with Amsoil...Smooth Results!!!)

submariner409 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 05:29 PM

Follow your owner's manual recommendations and go with your favorite name brand oil and filter. If the engine was supplied with a synthetic oil or blend, stick with that in the recommended viscosity. Contrary to popular belief, the engine manufacturer has a pretty good idea of what type oil is best for your particular engine. They're not interested in selling additives and snake oil - they're interested in your getting the best engine performance possible with the least warranty claims.

Frankma · #7 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 06:26 PM

And who in the general population runs their car for 12 hours a day, virtually every day?

That test meant nothing compared to real world experience of engine warm up, cool down, warm up, cool down.

Consumer Reports, bah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedcmiller

New cars no longer require any kind of special "break in" oil. They come from the factory with the oil that is recommended for all future oil changes in them. As far as early oil changes are concerned, it is a matter of choice. People that run their vehicle hard, tend to change the oil sooner. Some years back, Consumer Reports ran a test on identical taxicab fleets. They started the test with new engines in both fleets and all measurements taken and recorded. They changed the oil at 3000 miles in one group and ran the second group to 6000 miles without changing the oil. Both sets of engines were then dismantled and the measurements taken again. They could find no significant difference between the two groups. Obviously, if you do not run the vehicle at all, it will probably last a very long time. There is no thread, that I know of, on this subject.

anonfrank · #8 (**permalink**) 05-17-09, 08:15 PM

Honda vehicles do use special break-in oil still. Not required, sure, but some manufacturers still do it. On the Acura forum I frequent, people have done oil analysis on that particular oil....

Our owner's manual doesn't say anything about break-in oil, so I assume that what's put in at the factory is what's recommended by GM. I say, change your oil early if you want, it's only better for engine longevity, though the factory intervals are there for a reason.

tedcmiller · #9 (**permalink**) 05-18-09, 12:16 AM

The description of the Consumer Reports test was provided for information only. Take it or leave it as you choose. You too, Frankma.

Vlakaz · #10 (**permalink**) 05-18-09, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedcmiller

New cars no longer require any kind of special "break in" oil. They come from the factory with the oil that is recommended for all future oil changes in them. As far as early oil changes are concerned, it is a matter of choice. People that run their vehicle hard, tend to change the oil sooner..

Thx Ted! Although the oil looks decent, and I've been careful with breakin so far, there is still very minor black looking muddiness when I wipe the dipstick with a towel paper... I figure an early oil change won't hurt.

Thx for looking TopperH, awesome car btw, if its in the budget, I don't why people would buy anything else.

Thx ReadyAct... I knew I saw some stuff on this before! thx for the links.

Anonfrank, I thought there were some companies that still did that. Thanks for confirmation. I just wanted to make sure this car wasn't one of them.

PSRmark · #11 (**permalink**) 05-18-09, 07:40 PM

Back in the day I used to break engines in with ND(non detergent)30 oil. With the tolerances of todays engines and the quality of oil that is now used, regular oil is perectly fine. For the first oil change 3k is fine. The dark color of the oil at 1k could be the assembly lube that is used to put the engine together with...not really a big deal honestly. But I am gonna say that this topic could probably be argued till yer blue in the face. Just be responsible and comfortable with your oil change intervals.

Caroutisine · #12 (**permalink**) 05-18-09, 08:43 PM

I'm not changing mine until the OLM gets to about 20%. Same thing I did with my 2005 STS, Corvettes, and Trailblazer SS. Never had a problem.

Razorecko · #13 (**permalink**) 05-19-09, 11:34 AM

I change my first couple oil changes about every 1k miles. I'd have to say though that the single most important thing about a new motor is properly letting it warm up when starting the motor. Motor wear is mostly done on start up and if you flog the car cold you will score up the cylinder walls.

Vlakaz · #14 (**permalink**) 05-19-09, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorecko

I change my first couple oil changes about every 1k miles. I'd have to say though that the single most important thing about a new motor is properly letting it warm up when starting the motor. Motor wear is mostly done on start up and if you flog the car cold you will score up the cylinder walls.

Good point. Since I went with the Auto (first Auto i've ever owned) I tend to use the starter all the time as I walk to the car. Typically I don't let it warm up for more the a min though. I also try to let the car idle for 30 seconds to a min when I park it before turning it off.

anonfrank · #15 (**permalink**) 05-19-09, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorecko

Motor wear is mostly done on start up and if you flog the car cold you will score up the cylinder walls.

I agree! I warm up the car for a minimum of 60 seconds before taking off, or 2-3 minutes on cold days, and I don't flog the car until it's close to proper operating temperature.