RE: Synthetic Oil Change Intervals?

[Peter Henriksen <peterhe@microsoft.com>]

So far, my 91 200qw has cost me $0.39/mile in maintenance (new
headlights, front rotors, tires, oil, oil filters etc.) or $548.03/month
(hopefully this average will fall drastically with time!).

Maintenance/mile	$0.39
Gas/mile		$0.09 (average gas price $1.581/gallon, 18.1 mpg)
Tabs/mile		$0.04 ($681/year, 16,700 miles/year)
Insurance/mile		$0.05 (based on $910/year - don't remember exactly)
--------------------------------------------
Per driven mile:		$0.57

This figure is probably quite high based on the main component being
maintenance which has been skewed by the horrendously expensive front
brake job. Now I wonder how much our 94 Acura and 80 Mazda 626 costs per
mile. They sure aren't as much fun :-)

Is this high?
- peter, ultra retentive in wa, usa

>Original Message-----
From:        	Mike Miller (Volt Comp) (Exchange) 
Sent:         	Tuesday, July 30, 1996 4:46 PM
To:            	'quattro'; 'human'
Subject:   	RE: Synthetic Oil Change Intervals?

Human say:
>BTW the car has cost me $195.99/month to own, upkeep has been 127.54/month;
>putting on roughly 20,000 miles a year.


Lower than my costs - my 91 200Q is $138.08 /mo just for license tabs
($681/yr) and insurance ($976/yr). Then we get to add maintenance :-(
(as he takes the car in for timing belt change)

mike miller - Bonney Lake, WA
91 200Q

>----------
>From: 	human[SMTP:human@nh.ultranet.com]
>Sent: 	Tuesday, July 30, 1996 4:33 PM
>To: 	q g
>Subject: 	RE: Synthetic Oil Change Intervals?
>
>-- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
>
>I just changed the oil & filter in my n/a coupe after too long.  I run
>Syntec 5w50 and mann filters.  I must say, I'm "burning" less oil, the valve
>train >is< quieter,(the coolant temp a nudge lower?), and the high end !
>power! and ~speed~ have opened up.  The old oil looked like crud - black,
>smelly.  I feel synthetic should still be *good* when you take it out, right
>?  It should be changed before it goes bad.  I lean towards 5000 miles max
>but I'm lazy sometimes.  What the synthetic gets you is not a longer change
>interval but better lube qualities while it's in there.
>
>BTW the car has cost me $195.99/month to own, upkeep has been 127.54/month;
>putting on roughly 20,000 miles a year.
>
>huw
>82 cgt 210,000 miles
>
>PS what are DRL's?
>
>
>-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
>
>>> Personally, I like changing oil more often (app. 3,000 miles), but on
>>> the other hand I've heard that since synthetic oil practically never
>>> breaks down, you can just leave it in and 7,500 miles is certainly not a
>>> very long interval in any case. For longevity's sake (and peace of mind)
>>> I'll stick with my 3,000 mile intervals.
>
>>If I recall, it's the gradual acidifying of engine oil that will become a
>problem later on. Granted, normal >dino oil does use a lot of viscosity
>modifiers, etc. that would not withstand usage than synth. >Although I hear
>synth has more stability in acidity, would you like to take a chance?
>
>------------- clip here with virtual scissors --------------
>*******************************************************************
>Send any interesting roadkills to honge@creighton.edu!
>Keyboard stuck error. Press F1 to continue.
>Fax (402) 593-8975
>  Just say "Your lights are on" to DRLs.
>*******************************************************************
>
>
>
>-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
>
>
>