It is best to rely on oil analysis to establish your oil change interval. Of course, on many smaller vehicles that need only 4-6 quarts of motor oil, the cost of the oil analysis is nearly as costly as a complete oil change.
Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform their own "oil analysis", if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you enough information to determine whether you should be changing your oil or not (as long as you don't push things too far).
As you read this article you'll find detailed instructions for 1 of 6 DIY oil analysis tests which you can utilize to establish the condition of your oil and whether it is time to drain it. In this way you can begin to set realistic oil change intervals for your vehicle.
You might also want to consider learning a bit more regarding motor oil and filtration in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Business Card Test
This test reveals oxidation products, sludge formation, dispersancy failure, glycol contamination, water contamination, fuel dilution, and high levels of particles.
While your oil is WARM (not HOT), yank the oil level dipstick and place a single drop of oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Put your white paper/card in a location where it sits suspended and horizontal and in such a way that the oil drop area will be touching nothing - on the top OR bottom of the card. As an example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could set it across the top of a glass.
You want to be certain that the drop dries completely before trying to consider the condition of the spot. Once all of the oil has been drawn into the pores of the paper you can begin evaluating whether or not you should continue without an oil change.
- A colorless circle or somewhat yellowish outer ring = "good" oil.
- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outside ring = Severely oxidized oil
- A dark center with surrounding rings = Fuel in oil, Fuel dilution
Information for this business card test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000
Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform their own "oil analysis", if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you enough information to determine whether you should be changing your oil or not (as long as you don't push things too far).
As you read this article you'll find detailed instructions for 1 of 6 DIY oil analysis tests which you can utilize to establish the condition of your oil and whether it is time to drain it. In this way you can begin to set realistic oil change intervals for your vehicle.
You might also want to consider learning a bit more regarding motor oil and filtration in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.
- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information
- The Motor Oil Evaluator -
- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils
The Business Card Test
This test reveals oxidation products, sludge formation, dispersancy failure, glycol contamination, water contamination, fuel dilution, and high levels of particles.
While your oil is WARM (not HOT), yank the oil level dipstick and place a single drop of oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Put your white paper/card in a location where it sits suspended and horizontal and in such a way that the oil drop area will be touching nothing - on the top OR bottom of the card. As an example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could set it across the top of a glass.
You want to be certain that the drop dries completely before trying to consider the condition of the spot. Once all of the oil has been drawn into the pores of the paper you can begin evaluating whether or not you should continue without an oil change.
- A colorless circle or somewhat yellowish outer ring = "good" oil.
- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure
- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil
- Center of circle dark with distinct outside ring = Severely oxidized oil
- A dark center with surrounding rings = Fuel in oil, Fuel dilution
Information for this business card test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000
About the Author:
Would you like to know how the other 5 oil analysis tests can be performed? Just visit my BestSyntheticOil.com site and read through the rest of my "Poor Man's Oil Analysis" article to determine your proper oil change intervals............ You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
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