When I
changed my oil back in November I changed the oil only and kept the filter. The reasons?
1. Mobil 1 Extended Performance oil is rated for 15,000 miles and the filter is rated for 20,000 miles. I don't really approach those limits.
2. The Mobil 1 M1-110A is larger than the factory stock filter, and I expect greater filtration capacity. It is also supposed to trap smaller particles, outperforming the factory filter again.
3. Why throw out a filter that still has lots of useful life?
4. I bought a 5-quart bottle of Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20. I used the rest of that 5-quart bottle for the refill. This keeps the 6-month oil change requirement.
5. I will submit a sample of the drain to
Blackstone Labs for analysis. I look forward to seeing how this maintenance regimen holds up.
6. If the analysis is favorable, I'm looking at a good quality full synthetic oil change for about $11.
I'm especially eager to see if there is any indication of engine wear due to cold winter temperatures that tend to make my 3A92 noisy & rattly on those cold starts (I didn't get that when I was able to use the block heater.)