Date:         Wed, 17 Jun 1998 12:21:53 CDT
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Oil change intervals
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
In-Reply-To:  <00006737.CW21041@presray.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Wed, 17 Jun 1998 13:11:08 -0400 Don Gibbons said:
>weather. But I do drive almost all long trips of at least 50 miles round trip.
>For this type of driving 3,000 mile oil changes are just a waste of money and
>resources.

while long distance driving (at least 20 miles between start and stop) IS
much better for cars, let's look at the wasted money a minute.

assume you drive 15,000 miles a year.
if you change the oil every 5,000 miles, that's 3 changes a year.
if you change the oil every 3,000 miles, that's 5 changes a year.

wow. TWO whole oil changes. :) if you do it yourself, that's 10 whole
quarts of oil (water-cooled vanagon) and two filters MORE per YEAR.
or about $25 a year.

now, since i had my oil analyzed back when i was using straight 30W oil
in my 80 bus, and the 30W oil had changed into a 46W oil in just 3000
miles ... i think i'll keep on changing at 2500 miles, thank you. :)
i'm debating about going to 2000 miles (wow, another whole oil change
per year).

my point being: $25 a year MIGHT keep you from having to buy a new engine.
and engines aren't cheap. don't forget: the oil change process is NOT just
about changing the oil!! it's about getting under your bus and looking at
the bottom of the engine and looking at the top of the engine, and SEEing
small problems before they become Big Problems!! and THAT might save you
a LOT of money.

just my opinion. it's your money and your bus. :)
joel