> Now will an engine actually run say 30 or 40 thousand miles on the
> same  oil,
> and were these people telling true stories? I dunno. My guess is at a
> minimum you'll have to add oil every now and again.

I ran my old '78 280Z 49K miles without an oil change. There was some issue
with the drain plug (head sheared off?) and since I never expected the car
to last anyway, I never bothered to deal with it. I replaced the filter a
couple times, but mostly I just added a little fresh oil every couple months
as necessary. Much to my surprise, that stupid car just wouldn't die.
120MPH+ easy and a consistent 20mpg. I did eventually change the oil when I
had to redo the head, but I did so reluctantly. Any oil that lasts 49K miles
has GOT to be some good, durable oil!

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"