Actually, using the Mobil 1, this is usually not an issue. I have been
doing oil analysis now on my cars for a year now. I had to set up an
account when I got the new motor home as Caterpillar wants oil sampling
for their warranty. My Vanagon (Fun Bus) has been on a 7,500 mile oil
change schedule since new and at 223K, it is still running. I have an 88
fox that now has 31K on it. The one year, 13,500 mile oil testing showed
the oil was still OK but the wear metals were high so the report
recommended a change then. At 10K, all was still acceptable. My wife's
Audi gets driven ~2.500 mile month. With the engine now at 182K, oil
testing shows that oil is only good for ~12,000 miles due to excessive
oxidation. If the engine is healthy and running properly, these
intervals do not present a problem. Throwing away synthetic oil at 3k
miles is simply throwing away good money. It is hard to justify oil
testing for our small engines as the cost is almost as much as an oil
change, but the information provided is valuable. Knowing if you are
diluting the oil with fuel, destroying bearings, or getting antifreeze
contamination is extremely valuable.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Robert Cardo
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 11:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Hydraulic Lifter Week

<< I used to just change the oil and filter once per year, since I only
drove it about 10k per year.>>

Now here'a a real disiplined, and dedicated maintaience schedule.

The Van got an oil change once a year at 10k whether it needed it or
not.

I'd hate to see the insde of this engine.