Engine oil, is this too dark?

**Gonzo** · 02-02-2008, 04:19 PM

I have been checking my oil regularly and have been concerned it is too dark.

I went out and took a picture of it on the dipstick. I know that is kinda of crude but what do you all think?

Oil meter has recently turned 15%.

This is Amsoil XL 5W-30.
I have been considering switching to Mobil1. Seems like Mobil has never had to apologize for it. So I dunno.

I am also considering taking a sample and sending it off to Blackstone Laboratory. They have done a lot of tests on Amsoil engine oil, especially for heavy duty Ford trucks and the tests I have seen have always come back very positive.

***msjwild3*** · 02-02-2008, 04:20 PM

It's dark because the oil is old. Change it.

I use Mobil 1, great oil.

**Gonzo** · 02-02-2008, 04:21 PM

True, I am just concerned it is darker than the average. Nomar took a look at it when I was at his place and he said his Mobil 1 never got that dark.

***msjwild3*** · 02-02-2008, 04:24 PM

Is that 5-30?

**Gonzo** · 02-02-2008, 04:25 PM

Yes, it is a 5W-30.

***msjwild3*** · 02-02-2008, 04:27 PM

How many miles are on it? I don't even bother listening to that oil life indicator. I change mine at 5000km or 3000miles.

liquidr1 · 02-02-2008, 04:30 PM

Yea that oil life meter is a joke. I never let mine go past 5000 miles which is approximately 40% on the oil life meter.

***strutking*** · 02-02-2008, 04:40 PM

its alright, how many miles

liquidr1 · 02-02-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strutking

its alright, how many miles

well his oil life meter says 15% so thats got to be around 6800 miles at least.

**Gonzo** · 02-02-2008, 04:54 PM

I think it is close to 4400.

In my experience the oil life meter counts out very close to 5000 miles. Of course I don't have many total miles but even so, I've monitored when it changes percentage versus mileage when I reset it and again mine looks like it is close to 500 miles per 10 percent.

DTNguyen107 · 02-02-2008, 05:04 PM

Seems normal if you got 4400miles at 15% oil life.

My oil was a tad bit dirtier but I went without vtecing for long periods of time. Made it to 5500miles at 30% oil life.

Oh yea, that oil was the break in oil.

Now I'm mobil 1 5W30 Extended Performance + mobil 1 oil filter.
I'm going to compare the Regular Syth Mobil 1 oil with Extended Performance. Expect a thread on it.

**Gonzo** · 02-02-2008, 05:05 PM

Just did the math with data from my logs. There is 4,353 miles on that oil.

redpepSi · 02-02-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

I have been checking my oil regularly and have been concerned it is too dark.

I went out and took a picture of it on the dipstick. I know that is kinda of crude but what do you all think?

ha! pardon that isht!

Tugzy · 02-02-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msjwild3

It's dark because the oil is old. Change it.

I use Mobil 1, great oil.

Wrong, its dark because the oil is doing its job. Suspending particles and by-products of combustion. Ever checked the oil in a Diesel engine? Look at the dip stick after a fresh oil change...

Funny how people still believe this long time old ancient myth.... DARK OIL DOES NOT MEAN THE OIL IS OLD/BAD!

Here...learn something
Bob Is The Oil Guy

pbpd4816 · 02-02-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tugzy

Wrong, its dark because the oil is doing its job. Suspending particles and by-products of combustion. Ever checked the oil in a Diesel engine? Look at the dip stick after a fresh oil change...

Funny how people still believe this long time old ancient myth.... DARK OIL DOES NOT MEAN THE OIL IS OLD/BAD!

Here...learn something
Bob Is The Oil Guy

I'm with Tugzy. I was told that if the oil is dark, it simply means it is doing its job by an extremely knowledgeable man that owned an exxon station/car repair shop a few years back.

***msjwild3*** · 02-02-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tugzy

Wrong, its dark because the oil is doing its job. Suspending particles and by-products of combustion. Ever checked the oil in a Diesel engine? Look at the dip stick after a fresh oil change...

Funny how people still believe this long time old ancient myth.... DARK OIL DOES NOT MEAN THE OIL IS OLD/BAD!

Here...learn something
Bob Is The Oil Guy

Ya i agree with this but the oil is still old. He has 4300 miles on it, it should be changed. Engine oil shouldn't look that dark after lets say 2000 miles.

Tugzy · 02-02-2008, 05:54 PM

The bottom line and my point is: You cannot judge oil life by looking at its color. Get an oil analysis done and go from there. OIL COLOR is irrelevant! Look at the dip stick on a DIESEL ENGINE!

Look at this thread... Factory Fill on a Honda Fit. This owner changed the oil at 4800 miles. Blackstone analyzed the used oil and said to run it to 6000 miles.

Factory fill, Honda Fit, first oil change, 5k - Bob Is The Oil Guy

liquidr1 · 02-02-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

I think it is close to 4400.

In my experience the oil life meter counts out very close to 5000 miles. Of course I don't have many total miles but even so, I've monitored when it changes percentage versus mileage when I reset it and again mine looks like it is close to 500 miles per 10 percent.

Nope, i change my oil at 5000 miles exactly and its never below past 30 %. I had it changed today as a matter of fact. it was at 30 % when i cleared back to 100.

mfisher1967 · 02-03-2008, 12:21 PM

If you check the Pennzoil Platinum site, one of the FAQ sheets will tell the same thing that others have posted here. Dark oil is an indicator that the oil is removing combustion by-products and other contaminants. The only real test to see how your oil is performing is to collect a sample for analysis. A $22 Blackstone Labs analysis will also tell you how well your air filter and oil filter are working. They will send you a free sample kit if this is something that you want to pursue.

**Gonzo** · 02-03-2008, 06:31 PM

Yeah, as I mentioned in the OP, I plan on getting this oil tested by blackstone for S' and giggles. I set aside a quart from when I change the oil today.

02-02-2008, 04:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gonzo BROCCOLI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,698 NOTHING BUT BROCCOLI iTrader: 5 / 100%	Engine oil, is this too dark? I have been checking my oil regularly and have been concerned it is too dark. I went out and took a picture of it on the dipstick. I know that is kinda of crude but what do you all think? Oil meter has recently turned 15%. This is Amsoil XL 5W-30. I have been considering switching to Mobil1. Seems like Mobil has never had to apologize for it. So I dunno. I am also considering taking a sample and sending it off to Blackstone Laboratory. They have done a lot of tests on Amsoil engine oil, especially for heavy duty Ford trucks and the tests I have seen have always come back very positive.

02-02-2008, 04:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
*msjwild3* 8th Civic Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Age: 20 Posts: 2,506 Ryan iTrader: 2 / 100%	How many miles are on it? I don't even bother listening to that oil life indicator. I change mine at 5000km or 3000miles. Last edited by msjwild3; 02-02-2008 at 04:33 PM.

02-02-2008, 04:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
*strutking* 8thcivic Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,674 iTrader: 48 / 100%	its alright, how many miles __________________ www.strutking.com FREE Shipping within the US! 10% off coupon code: 8thcivic Want to win a 3G iPhone? visit our website for more details!

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02-02-2008, 04:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
*msjwild3* 8th Civic Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Age: 20 Posts: 2,506 Ryan iTrader: 2 / 100%	It's dark because the oil is old. Change it. I use Mobil 1, great oil.

02-02-2008, 04:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gonzo BROCCOLI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,698 NOTHING BUT BROCCOLI iTrader: 5 / 100%	True, I am just concerned it is darker than the average. Nomar took a look at it when I was at his place and he said his Mobil 1 never got that dark.

02-02-2008, 04:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
*msjwild3* 8th Civic Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Age: 20 Posts: 2,506 Ryan iTrader: 2 / 100%	Is that 5-30?

02-02-2008, 04:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gonzo BROCCOLI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,698 NOTHING BUT BROCCOLI iTrader: 5 / 100%	Yes, it is a 5W-30.

02-02-2008, 04:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
liquidr1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greensboro NC Age: 24 Posts: 1,862 Dustin iTrader: 2 / 100%	Yea that oil life meter is a joke. I never let mine go past 5000 miles which is approximately 40% on the oil life meter.

02-02-2008, 04:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
Gonzo BROCCOLI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,698 NOTHING BUT BROCCOLI iTrader: 5 / 100%	I think it is close to 4400. In my experience the oil life meter counts out very close to 5000 miles. Of course I don't have many total miles but even so, I've monitored when it changes percentage versus mileage when I reset it and again mine looks like it is close to 500 miles per 10 percent.

02-02-2008, 05:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
DTNguyen107 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,353 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Seems normal if you got 4400miles at 15% oil life. My oil was a tad bit dirtier but I went without vtecing for long periods of time. Made it to 5500miles at 30% oil life. Oh yea, that oil was the break in oil. Now I'm mobil 1 5W30 Extended Performance + mobil 1 oil filter. I'm going to compare the Regular Syth Mobil 1 oil with Extended Performance. Expect a thread on it.

02-02-2008, 05:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
Gonzo BROCCOLI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,698 NOTHING BUT BROCCOLI iTrader: 5 / 100%	Just did the math with data from my logs. There is 4,353 miles on that oil.

02-02-2008, 05:54 PM	#17 (permalink)
Tugzy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: 08 TW Si Sedan & BEATING THE PI$$ OUT OF IT Posts: 181 iTrader: 0 / 0%	The bottom line and my point is: You cannot judge oil life by looking at its color. Get an oil analysis done and go from there. OIL COLOR is irrelevant! Look at the dip stick on a DIESEL ENGINE! Look at this thread... Factory Fill on a Honda Fit. This owner changed the oil at 4800 miles. Blackstone analyzed the used oil and said to run it to 6000 miles. Factory fill, Honda Fit, first oil change, 5k - Bob Is The Oil Guy

02-03-2008, 12:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
mfisher1967 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Houston, Texas Posts: 109 Mark Fisher iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you check the Pennzoil Platinum site, one of the FAQ sheets will tell the same thing that others have posted here. Dark oil is an indicator that the oil is removing combustion by-products and other contaminants. The only real test to see how your oil is performing is to collect a sample for analysis. A $22 Blackstone Labs analysis will also tell you how well your air filter and oil filter are working. They will send you a free sample kit if this is something that you want to pursue.

02-03-2008, 06:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
Gonzo BROCCOLI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,698 NOTHING BUT BROCCOLI iTrader: 5 / 100%	Yeah, as I mentioned in the OP, I plan on getting this oil tested by blackstone for S' and giggles. I set aside a quart from when I change the oil today.