I am starting to put Synthetic Oil in my Grand Prix GTP, and I bought Mobil 1 Advanced Formula that is supposed to last 15,000 or 1 year, whichever comes first. I want to know what I can do about the Filter part since I don't want to keep the same filter the whole time or can I keep the same filter for the whole year? I don't drive 15,000 miles in a year so it will be changed once a year, I drive from 10,000 to 12,000 a year. What do you guys think?

K&N oil filter, and change the filter regularly.

Filters filter out particles. The only way particles can get into your oil is past the piston rings. If you're not constantly hot-rodding, chances are very few particles are finding their way into your engine since the engine's internals are sealed and ventilated with filtered air only (via the PCV valve). In reality, you could probably run the same filter for 30,000 miles with no degradation in filtering performance. In fact, for YEARS, many car manufacturers recommended filter changes every OTHER oil change.

To improve your filtration, though, use a long can filter instead of the specified short can. You'll get 50% more filtration power by doing so.

Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo

K&N oil filter #2001 <-- long can filter

Or just use the mobil filter.

I personally use amsoil which says 25k miles. I go about 12.5k and change both filter and oil. I have debated going longer though.

With no regards (sorry)

z

Mobil one filter and oil. Every 3000.

Dirt build up doesn't lessen no matter what oil you use. Yea, it could suspend it better but I'll wait until I hear good feedback before I use the other stuff.

personally I think every 3k with pure synthetic is a bit of overkill...engine oil viscosity breakdown I think is a bigger enemy than particle removal (not to downplay that cuz it is very important)...moisture condenses inside your engine by way of the heating/cooling process just like anywhere else. If your engine warms up and runs long enough, then the moisture heats and evaporates off but if it doesnt run long enough to accomplish this (short trips vs. longer runs) the residue left can cause lubrication problems, partially plug galleys and make a general mess...from what I've read, synthetic doesnt react with this moisture the same regular oil, thereby greatly reducing deposits left (ever open valve covers and find a buttery looking residue?...thats the stuff)...plus the synthetic is supposed to have twice the resistance to heat breakdown...I understand the uneasy feeling that comes with leaving oil in your engine for a long time...I'm trying to learn how to strike a balance between trusting this cars "oil life system" and my conscience when I look at the odometer...so far the "oil change soon" light has been coming on at around 4-5k...so with using synthetic or syn-blend, that seems liveable.

look at what you drive the majority of the time. if it is mainly highway, then go like 5000, if it is stop n go (jackrabbit) then i would go every 3000 or less even. mine has a sensor, and I once drove almost 15000 on one change in 8 weeks and the sensor still said 63% oil life that was all highway. that's just my 2 cents worth

I am currently running the Mobil 1 synthentic gauranteed protection. I use a NAPA Nascar brand filter for a 4.3L GM motor, it has the same diameter and same thread size, but is about an inch and a half longer, and Ive found the NAPA filters flow oil a lot better than the fram ones, but have never tried a K&N.

I usually change mine every 5k-8k depending on how hard I drive it with the Mobil 1

How were you able to determine this?

Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo

If I remember correctly, Mobil 1 advertised their oil as 25,000 miles between changes when they first introduced it 25 years ago. Or, did they advertise 15,000 between changes? Think it was 25K.

Even then knowledgeable people said contaminent build-up was the important consideration, and that would be the same with any oil.

Since I live in a very temperate climate, and I don't want to be worried about viscosity breakdown, I run straght SAE-30 Pennzoil from May thru October. Put on about 6000-7000 miles during this time. Oil level drops less than one drilled hole on dipstick during this time. Car has 105,000 miles on it.

I'll run 10w-30 from Nov thru April. About 5000-6000 miles during this time period. Car uses one quart during time period (I suspect because of viscosity breakdown of the multi-viscosity oil). Synthetic multi-grade oil would probably stand up better, but as long as the Pennzoil keeps metal from touching metal, I'm not going to worry about it.

Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo

Good to hear from you again, Gary. I see you poking around occassionally.

Yeah, pretty infrequent. Lot of energy going toward a motorcycle board for the last year. Need to really start cutting back on that.

Hang in there.

Regards, Gary

Well hang around here some more and we'll start a motorcycle sub-group between us, Herc, T-Bat, and some others...

Personally i use Royal Purple syn. & 2001 K&N filter and change oil 4 times a year ,just like the seasons it may be a bit of overkill but the added protection and piece of mind are worth it to me ,plus dyno testing with royal purple has a proven 2% HP increase over competitors .

I'll have to remember that next time I get dyno'd.

HI NEW MEMBER HERE TO THIS FORUM. RUN A QUICK LUBE SHOP 15 YRS EXPERIENCE. 02 GTP MOBIL 1 REP AND I ARE CONDUCTING TEST CURRENTLY WITH 15000 MILE OIL AND REGULAR ACDELCO FILTER CHANGED FILTER AT 3000 MILES OIL IS CURRENTLY BEING TESTED STILL AWATING RESULTS FROM TEST. WILL UPDATE SOON HOPEFULLY LUBEMAN 37

I'd like to see those results... along with your caps lock being turned off.

As far as oil I use Mobile 1 and am pretty happy w/ it. I dont change my oil as much as I should but, I think, for my piece of mind I like to have clean oil in my engine. I use an AC Delco filter and have heard from a good friend who has a GM engined drag truck and has done some testing w/ different oil filters and has told me that the AC Delco filters clean and more deposits. My 2 cents...

Just change the oil when it becomes black..
No good of runnign syn oil if it full of metal shavings and dirt..

You can run any synthetic oil for 15,000 miles and it will hold up well but your engine will be full of dirt to the point of critical.

So I think it's an ad gimmick to get $1.00 more per can out of you

Agreed.

At this point, Mobile should come up with better filters. At that point 15,000 could happen.

Welcome to the board.

By the way
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/hercman/capslock.bmp[/img]
next time no yelling please.