Changing to a different oil.

[jtreharn]

I have a 2002 with 22,000 miles. It has been serviced by the dealer using Pennzoil 5w-30. I want to switch to Mobile 1. Can I do it with out any problems?

Thanks
Jim

[Cruisin1]

You can switch to Mobil 1 with no problem....

[moorecruizin]

Get the Walmart synthetic. its made by valvoline and its cheaper.
If you are expecting any noticeable changes in performance, you probably won't feel much difference.

[at58]

It is safe to change it

[JLWarren]

You should be able to change, easily enough. I might recommend, however, that you use a "crankcase cleaner" just before dumping the "old" oil. I usually recommend changing earlier in a car's life than 25,000 miles, so you are towards the high end, but the cleaner is useful to keep any dino-oil that has burned/attached itself to parts (and also stuff other than oil that has done the same thing) before adding any synthetic. This is because all synthetics are very "detergent" compared to dino-oil, and will rapidly turn black. This doesn't mean that the oil is "bad" or has gone that way. It is a good sign, because it means that the oil is cleaning out the system so (hopefully) that the filter can remove the gunk. After the drain following the first use of syn-oil, the follow-on syn-oil should stay noticeably "clean" longer. I also recommend that you find and use an oil filter specifically designed for syn-oil, since they tend to filter down to a finer specification than regular filters. Read the packaging or contact the manufacturer.
Expect to see an initial "HIGH" oil usage while this cleaning process takes place, especially since you have relatively high mileage on your engine. I switched my 2001 LE PT to syn-lube at the 3000-mile change and had to add 2.5 quarts over the next 18,000 miles when the oil analysis (done to get the full benefit of the extended life of syn-oil) said the oil needed to be changed. Using oil analysis to verify my oil's condition, I've only had to "change" my oil three times now and my odometer is at 49+Kmiles.
Since I'm out of the initial warrantee period I've switched to sampling the oil (it costs about $20/sample) every 5000 miles. In September 2001 (about a year after taking delivery of the PT, and about 6 months after switching to syn-lube) I made two runs to Santa Barbara, CA from the San Diego area. I kept track of my mileages and logged them in a booklet. The following week I went to an AAA meeting at the Southern California office where I got their speedometer checker to verify my odometer. It showed I was getting 31 mpg (I have a manual TX. You will see an improvement with automatics, but probably not as high.) On a recent trip from San Diego to just north of Salt Lake City, I ranged between 28-35 mpg.
ONE THING TO BE CAREFULL OF! Although VIRTUALLY all synthetics are petroleum oil compatible (read the bottle/can carefully or call the company to be sure), the same CANNOT be said of synthetic-to-synthetic mixing. So once you select a brand of synthetic oil, stay with it unless you use a crankcase cleaner again (and yes, if the synthetic doesn't seem to "work out" for you, you should be able to change back to dino-lube at the next oil change. I would recommend sampling every 3000 miles after changing. ONLY after a considerable run on synthetic (at least 10000 miles, would I say you could change to a 5000 mile sampling interval. That decision is up to you.)
Best of luck! I'm sure you will find an improvement in your car's performance and, hopefully, some improved gas mileage, as well. Certainly the engine will say thank you! Additionally, there are synthetic auto/manual TX lubes that can add to equipment life and provide performance boosts as well. Sincerely, Jim Warren, 2001 LE La Mesa, CA

[bigdogdad]

JL

I just switched to Mobil 1 about a month ago at one of those quick oil change places and last weekend I went to check the oil level and it was real dirty looking. I just thought to myself that I was ripped off and the oil was never changed. It actually looks dirtier then before I add it changed. I was just going to buy more Mobil 1 this weekend and change it again myself but I think I'll hold off after reading your post. They did put a new filter on though. Oh well, this is something that I am able to do so next time I'll just do and know for sure that is would done. Thanks for the info.

[JLWarren]

Dear Bigdogdad,
Personally, I agree with your assessment, but, I prefer to deal with known quantities, so I would recommend you get a sample of the oil analyzed to be sure. There are lots of places that do oil analysis. I used to use one up in Washington state, but that was almost 15 years ago, and I don't have their address anymore. I would think there would be a bunch of them on the web. The one I use, is a subsidiary of Amsoil, can do analysis of any brand of oil. If you can't find any other analysis site, their site is called "Oil Analyzers, Inc". The URL is: http://www.oaitesting.com . They can do any oil, not just Amsoil's. From here in San Diego, CA, it takes about 7-8 days from the date I mail the sample box (it is part of the kit) to the date I have the sample results in hand in the mail. Also, if you give them your phone and/or email address, they will contact you that way, too, as soon as the analysis is done, if there is anything wrong.
A sample kit costs about $20. It has a small data sheet, a sample bottle (about 3 fl.oz.) and all you have to do after you get the oil in the bottle is close the sample box, and then take it to your P.O. for mailing. (From San Diego to Oil Analysers, postage is about $1.85) You'll have to figure a way to siphon oil out of the engine (I recommend a length of tygon (clear plastic tubing available from most auto parts stores. Pick a diameter that will fit in your dipstick tube,probably the 1/4" O.D. size.) tubing that goes in at the oil dipstick tube (with dipstick removed of course) that you siphon out the oil (you want CLEAR tubing so that you don't siphon TOO long! ALL brands of oil taste bad!) into the sample bottle (which is in the kit). That will tell you exactly whether the oil is okay or not. I have a pump that does the siphoning for me, but you probably don't want to go to that expense ($25-30 or so) just to check one sample. Hopefully, a sat sample result, and maybe a new filter will be all you have to do. And do the sample right after running the engine! That is the only way to get a representative sample. Just run the engine long enough for the oil to be warm to the touch. Best of luck!
How big is your dog? I have a Black Lab and a Standard Poodle. I never knew a Poodle got bigger than a Lab, but that is what he is at. And he's only 8 months old! I don't think he'll fit inside the PT (without damaging it! After all, he's still a puppy!)
Sincerely, Jim Warren, 2001 LE Silver

[bigdogdad]

Thanks again for the info JLW. I think I'll order a kit . I just couldn't believe the color of the oil, it actually was some of the worst looking oil I have seen, especially for being about 4 weeks old. I'll order the kit some time this weekend and let you know the results.
As far as the dogs go, Anchor is a Great Pryrennes now 90 lbs and Trudy is a St. Bernard now at 140 lbs. Had to take the back seats out to give them room and they have plently. I also bought a portable air horn and whenever I see them ready to go nuts on me I give the horn a blast and they stop in their tracks. Of course the people on the side of the road stop in their tracks also. After a few weeks of that I now just hold the can up so they can see it and tell them quite and they stop doing what they were doing. Thanks again for the info.

[JLWarren]

Dear Bigdogdad,
If you don't mind, after getting the sample results back from analysis, would you post them and the comments the lab made? I can't recommend enough for people to use the "sample-check-continue use" method that is available if one shifts to a synthetic oil analysis methodology. It isn't much more (and perhaps less) than having someone (or even yourself!) change the oil, and it really does give you a lot more information than you'd expect. Best of luck! Sincerely, Jim Warren, 2001 LE

[bigdogdad]

JL

Thanks for reminding me. I totally gutted my computer room at home so my computer sits in the spare room (no phone line in there) collecting dust for now. Its been busy at work but I'll have spare time today and I will order a kit. I will order it today, really. I am interested in the outcome myself, which of course I hope is nothing but good news but still interested in just what they say. I will post results. Thanks again.