Do you know how to extend engine oil change intervals significantly.

There are many benefits when you extend engine oil change intervals: Not only in saving money, but also to the environment.

Typically prescribed engine oil change intervals are 15,000Km for petrol engines and 10,000 (In some cases even 5,000Km) for diesel engines. But is it possible to extend engine oil change intervals?

These conditions make it difficult to extend engine oil change intervals.

• Diesel Engines - Diesels produce more soot and acidic blow-by product which make it difficult to extend engine oil change intervals. 
• Flex Fuels - Alcohol-gasoline blends are prone to accumulate water in the crankcase. 
• Turbo-charged Engines - High temperatures distress the base oil and additives.
•  Short-trip Driving – Trips under 10km don’t give the engine to properly warm up. Water and fuel have a tendency to accumulate in the crankcase when the oil temperature doesn’t reach the thermostat setting.
• Road Dust - Driving in dusty conditions (dirt/gravel roads) with a normal oil filter will generate more wear metals which increase the risk of sludge formation and corrosion from acids which will effect oil change intervals. 
• High-Mileage Engine - Engines with more than 100,000 Km generate more blow-by gases, unburnt fuel and corrosive agents that enter the crankcase oil. 
• High Oil Consumption - While on one hand high oil consumption replenishes additives, on the other hand the affliction is also associated with high blow-by of combustion gases into the crankcase. 
• Hot Running Conditions - Hot running conditions, including can lead to premature oil oxidation, volatility problems and rapid additive depletion. 
• Towing/Heavy Loads - Generally relates to hot running conditions, thin oil films, higher shearing of viscosity index improvers and more wear metals in the oil.

Conditions that extend engine oil change intervals.

• Synthetic Lubricant can extend engine oil change intervals and reduce oil consumption - Quality synthetic lubricants have excellent oxidation stability, thermal stability and shear stability. 
• High Efficiency Filters, reduce abrasive contaminants. 
• Open road operation - Lower average engine revolutions and fewer operating hours per distance traveled compared to slow-speed urban driving. 
• New Engines - Low levels of engine blow-by. 
• Motor oil filtration 

Sensors can extend engine oil change intervals.

General Motors, first introduced (GM) Oil-Life System Sensors to extend engine oil change intervals in the 1998 Oldsmobiles. The technology does not actually monitor any single quality or physical property of the oil. Instead, the Oil-Life System monitors engine revolutions, operating temperature, and other factors that affect the length of oil change intervals.

DaimlerChrysler’s version of the oil monitor is called ASSYST in Europe and the Flexible Service System (FSS) in the United States. From research on oil quality through the span of an engine’s life, Daimler discovered that the breakdown in oil is determined by such factors as driving habits (frequent short trips vs. long trips), driving speed and failure to replenish low oil levels. Therefore, the FSS monitors time between oil changes, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, load signal, engine rpm, engine oil temperature and engine oil level.

Daimler also discovered that oil degradation is directly correlated to the ability to conduct electric current. Therefore, Daimler has fitted V-6 and V-8 engines with digital oil quality dielectric Sensors to extend engine oil change intervals. These sensors measures changes in capacitance, which are effectively proxies for the amount and type of contaminants and oil degradation products present in the oil. An increase in dielectric constant (less resistance to electrical flow) indicates oil contamination and degradation.

There are several other systems available on the market. But whether using sensors to extend engine oil change intervals or sticking to the age-old 10 and 15,000km oil change intervals, there’s no doubt that you’ll benefit from Habot Oil synthetic lubricants.