Synthetic Oil Life And Filter Life

[blackchevy06]

i've been wanting to make a switch to synthetic oil in my truck for a while now and finally did, 27k miles. i wasn't sure, because some people have mentioned "this much synthetic, and this much regular". anyways, i put in 6 quarts of royal purple 5w-30 and put on a k&n performance gold oil filter, grand total $60. i was like man that's double what i would pay someone to do it for me. i did it myself no problem, i've changed oil in trucks before, except the drain plug was a 13mm. every other chevy/gmc truck has been a 15 mm; my dad has a 2006 2500HD and his was a 15mm, too. oh well, my friend that works at o'reillys uses royal purple and he said that it's good as long as it's purple, and he said that he's been over 10k miles in his 2007 classic duramax diesel. it has to last a long time or it wouldn't be worth like $7 a quart. i have another friend that will go so many miles, change his oil filter, top off his oil, and change 'em both the next time. i called k&n and they said change it in accordance with the owner's manual. royal purple's site says up to 12,000 miles in a "clean engine" and that "The dye that’s used to color the oil dissipates shortly after being put into service. The color will turn brown at some point.". i think my friend doesn't know what he's talking about. any insight would be appreciated. thanks.

 

marcus

[Rocco715]

I use RP and K&N filters, I've changed the oil after 3000 miles on and engine with 4200 and it's not purple. Just looks like regular used oil. What I did for my truck when I was breaking it in was oil change and first 1000 to RP, then again at 3000, then after that every 4000-5000. I wouldn't let oil sit in my engine any longer than that

[TheColter]

It only stays purple for a very short time. It's merely a dye they use and after the first couple heat cycles, it fades away and looks like normal oil.

[Nytemare]

Like the others have said, it stays purple for a couple starts, thats about all. I changed my oil at 3000 the last change because it was the first time running RP. This cycle I will keep it for 5K, than change it, I would never go to 12K on an oil change, unless its AMSOIL. The filter will be no prob for 5K.

 

After switching from the crappy dino the dealership put in, The previous owner used penzoil from 3K on, but when it was brought back off the lease the dealership changed it and used the dino shop oil tank. It came out fairly brown, but not too dark. The RP when I changed last came out almost the color of new regular oil when I changed it at 3K. I'm interested to see the color at 5K this time. If it comes out clean I think I am going to have it sent for an analysis to see how much of the additive package is gone amongst other things. That will let me know if I can stretch it longer.