Oil change: 3,000 miles or 5,000 miles?

[Joe In Montana]

FWIW: when I assemble and engine, I use gear lube on all the bearings, cam and I run a tablespoon of it through the oil pump to make it easier to pull oil from the pan on first start.

The 90wt sticks exceedingly well and has tremendous shock absorbing qualities for new bearings until the real oil arrives.

I've used 90wt all my mechanical lifetime as an engine assembly lube and never had a problem with it.

 

[TerryD]

I use the Lucas as assembly lube but do not run it in the engine because of the added windage. Everyone remembers the little stands where they showed off what Lucas does and if you look closely, the gears in the regular oil had plenty of oil on them for the surface they contacted and it was much easier to spin them than the one with Lucas added. All that drag just costs power and because it stocks so well is imagine it hinders the oil draining back for cooling and reuse. That's just what I believe. Our 93 S10 Blazer that had 220k on it and 89 Cavalier that had 230k when we sold them and only ever used Havoline oil and Delco or Purolator filters twice a year seemed to agree.

 

[campfire]

I use the Lucas as assembly lube but do not run it in the engine because of the added windage. Everyone remembers the little stands where they showed off what Lucas does and if you look closely, the gears in the regular oil had plenty of oil on them for the surface they contacted and it was much easier to spin them than the one with Lucas added. All that drag just costs power and because it stocks so well is imagine it hinders the oil draining back for cooling and reuse. That's just what I believe. Our 93 S10 Blazer that had 220k on it and 89 Cavalier that had 230k when we sold them and only ever used Havoline oil and Delco or Purolator filters twice a year seemed to agree.

Good point, I would only use Lucas in an older engine that is leaking...because it slows down the leaks.

 

[Blue85]

Everyone remembers the little stands where they showed off what Lucas does and if you look closely, the gears in the regular oil had plenty of oil on them for the surface they contacted and it was much easier to spin them than the one with Lucas added.

If I ever find a gearbox in my car made up of vertically stacked plastic gears, I'll be sure to throw some Lucas in....

For oil change intervals you also have to consider the history. If you owned it since new and put in new Royal Purple synthetic every 1000 miles, it's probably squeaky clean. But as you know, the previous owner of your vehicle is an idiot. Short intervals for a while can help. I think it's best to clean it slowly rather than shock treatments.

 

[campfire]

If I ever find a gearbox in my car made up of vertically stacked plastic gears, I'll be sure to throw some Lucas in....

Hahahaha

 

[TerryD]

Good point, I would only use Lucas in an older engine that is leaking...because it slows down the leaks.

I really like their auto transmission and power steering fluid additives. Both seem to improve the systems they are designed for.

If I ever find a gearbox in my car made up of vertically stacked plastic gears, I'll be sure to throw some Lucas in....

No insult intended here, but I'm having a very hard time detecting sarcasm recently, I'm usually really good with reading it but this week has been tough. As such, I'm not entirely sure if you are agreeing with me not wanting Lucas in my engines or if you misunderstood my reference?

 

[diesel4me]

I like Lucas oil treatment,but I have learned adding a bottle to my 6.2 will do a few things--some good,some bad..

It will :

Quiet the noisy "box of rocks in a clothes dryer" sound the 6.2 is famous for..
Help reduce oil leakage at various places like valve covers,seals,etc..
I think it congeals like jello when it cools around areas that have seepage..
It seems to reduce friction and you can actually "feel" the engine running smoother with it vs without..

It seems to help a older ,slightly worn diesel start faster in warmer weather,by sealing the rings and boosting compression a bit..

But it also will reduce the chances of getting the old 6.2 to fire up on a cold winter morning,the drag on the starter will kill the batteries a lot faster...
Also the thick oil will not flow very fast throughout the engine if it does start--you are likely to hear lifters chatter or a bearing rattle for a few seconds until it finally gets "everywhere"..you do not want to go reving the engine too high right after a cold start with Lucas in the oil..

I have seen the Lucas transmission treatment bring a few dead transmissions back to life,at least temporarily,a few lasted several months until the owner either got another transmission or got rid of the car..

I have only used the fuel system treatment once,didn't really notice much difference..I think the 12 bucks would have been better spent on another 5 gallons of fuel..I don't think it has any anti-gel effect on diesel fuel either...I've been leery of fuel additives that say "good for gas AND diesel"...Lucas may not have any alcohol in it,but many other brands do,and that isn't good for diesel injector pumps and injectors..