Can an engine oil change be effected by a deteriorating Motor oil base number?

Why would it be of interest to know if an engine oil change can be determined by a deterioration in the Motor oil base number? Well quite simply; with the cost of motor oil (and oil filters) increasing every other month, no one wants to change oil unless it’s necessary.

Why does the deterioration in the motor oil base number indicate an engine oil change is due?

Base number testing, which measures

Okay, well it didn’t really even say a word (Thank heavens), nevertheless it did certainly alert me that an engine oil change was expected! And I believe it.

In the old days, I would have been very tempted to stretch this a further 5,000 km, knowing that the engine oil change indicator used a formula primarily based on engine revs, time and mileage (Sometimes throttle opening time was also included) to determine the best time for an engine oil change.

Suffice to say, on-board car analysis techniques are getting more complex. But regrettably, the fundamental engine oil change suggestions provided by engine manufacturers have little to do with normal driving