J C Smith

I have an '07 Impala , 3.5 V6, 161,000 miles. Last oil change I switched to a full synthetic oil. The oil change reminder came on at 7,700 miles.

My question is should I change oil now or can synthetic be run longer. I appreciate any input.

Chris

sledge.impy

Are you using mobil 1 15,000 mile synthetic?

You don't say what synthetic you are using.

whatever.

J C Smith

I'm using Quakerstate 5W30 full synthetic.

sledge.impy

Long trips? Short trips?

City driving? dusty driving near farms?!

DragonHEF01

How dark is the oil? You might be able to get away with a 'glass filter(Not Paper) change and top off this time around. Good luck,

Frank3

I've run my 2001 Impala on synthetic since it had 5000 miles. When it got up to 90000 miles , I reset the oil reminder and just changed the oil filter. The next time the oil remind came up. I changed both the oil and the filter. When I dumped the oil, it had the look and color of chocolate. I think that went beyond what it was supposed to handle. About the same time my brother was having a problem with his Grand Am that also had a 3.8L V 6 in it. Even though we was following the oil minder, the top end of the motor was all sludged up and was having a problem in draining back, resulting in leakage all around the valve cover area. He went on a routine of frequent oil changes that cleared up the sludge and restore normal oil flow.

J C Smith

Thanks everyone for the responses. Yeah, I should have said the car is used for commuting 100 miles a day round trip, 80 miles of it on the interstate at 70 mph average.

Sledge, I do live next to a few farms, tho not dusty air.

Dragon, the oil is dark, but not black. What brand "glass" media filter do you use?

Frank, 90,000 miles? I was scratchin' my head at that .lol. 9,000 right? Do you have a favorite oil and filter?

Thanks again y'all, Chris

Frank3

Let me rephrase.... When the car reached 90000 miles, I thought I would THEN see what would happen if I skipped a change and just do the filter. The rest in in the other thread. My father had a 1980 K30 that was used all year round and as a plow truck. When he got it to about 15-20000 miles he switched it over to Mobil1 and then onto Delvac. The engine was a 400CID gas. Until the day he got rid of the truck, he never changed the oil. Would just change the filter then add one qt due to the PF35 filter. When he got rid of it at 150000, the engine was running strong. The heads were replaced because they suffered cracks around the exhaust valve seat, but when that work was done there was hardly any sludge in the valve covers. There wasn't any noticeable ridge at the top of the cylinders. He got rid of the truck because the body was rusted and falling apart. At one point the cab and the bed both shifted position on the frame.

DragonHEF01

NAPA's gold is the same as Royal Purple's, Mobil 1's, Bosch, etc. and is about $3-5 cheaper. Probably a good idea to switch to at least Mobil 1 then do just the filter at 3,000-5,000 to make sure it stays clean. Remember, check the oil condition every other fuel up to be positive. I'm curious if Valvoline's natural gas "pure" oil is anything. Also, my Dad found that Competition Cam's engine break in additive can substitute 12 oz and give the engine zinc, molybdenum and detergents better than others. For more tips: Lessons learned, My exhaust design, and Grooving tech. Hope this helps,

J C Smith

Frank,Thanks. I'll have to check that thread. That is amazing about your dads engine. Sounds like he got his moneys worth out of that truck.

Dragon, I use Napa gold filters, so thats good to know. I'll check your threads as well. I've not heard of valvolines "pure" oil.Have to look into it, and the break in additive.

Thanks again fellas, Chris