Thought that I would share this with you all. For the complete articale go to rodandcustommagazine.com


OIL CHANGES

Dark, dirty oil doesn't necessarily mean it's time for a change. It means that the additive pack is still working, keeping fuel soot and other particles in suspension in the oil and not settling out in your engine.

"TV commercials telling you to change your oil at 2,000 or 2,500 miles are just trying to sell oil," Kelly says. The correct frequency is not a matter of months or miles, but of whether or not the oil is still doing its job. According to Kelly, a quality oil, at least 10W-30 grade, should be able to go 5,000 miles under normal service; a good commercial-grade 10W-30 or 15W-40 should go 7,500 miles. Change the oil after fewer miles if your car is driven infrequently, unless you're using a good commercial-grade oil with a high TBN.

READING THE BOTTLE

The symbols on a motor oil label can tell you a lot about the oil. Look for two "quality marks" designated by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The round API Service Symbol is divided into three sections. The upper arch identifies the oil's performance level, using the letters S or C followed by another letter. S (for Service) identifies oil intended for gasoline-powered passenger cars and light trucks. SL (approved for all engines currently in use) and SJ (for 2001-and-earlier engines) are the current, and most common, categories. C (for Commercial) identifies oil intended for diesel-powered, heavy-duty trucks (the so-called "truck oils"). Designations are based on additive packs for oils in that category. The most current high level is CI-4. Less current S and C categories are listed on the API Web site at www.api.org. Pure Power! EHP oils are API certified and meet the standards of all of the current C categories as well as the SL category.

The center section of this symbol identifies oil viscosity. The lower arch identifies the Fuel Economy Rating, and refers to a passenger vehicle gasoline engine's ability to meet API energy conservation standards. The separate "starburst" symbol is an API certification that the oil meets established engine protection and fuel economy standards.

WHAT'S THE BEST OIL FOR YOUR HOT ROD?

Good commercial-grade heavy-duty oil is a better grade than PCMO, Kelly says, and commercial oils can be used in gasoline engines. For general highway use, he recommends using a good commercial API-certified 10W-30 for longer engine life. Thinner oils with lower base numbers (e.g. 5W-30 and 5W-20) were created to satisfy fuel economy standards, but wear out far more quickly than heavier weights. Ultimately, he recommends checking the label to determine the quality of the additive pack.

__________________
Down the two lane blacktop.
Oldskool Is Kool :thumbsup:
Ford Man From Way Back



Check out: hotrodhotline.com for my pictures.

Good advice there. If you want to get really serious about oil the best place is http://www.bobistheoilguy.com

Those people are crazy about oil