Is it alright to use a filter that fits, but is larger, for a Dodge Caravan
with 3.8L engine, such as the PH8A vs the PH16. A friend has switched to the
larger filter on the basis it will clean better or longer between changes,
he uses synthetic oil and runs longer than the manufactures stated interval.
I am wondering what others opinions on this are and if someone has any
actual documentation one way or the other?
TIA

Certainly. I do that too. In fact it's fairly common to use a Motorcraft
FL-1A on Chryslers. It'll fit several Chryslers and it's a very good filter
for the money.

Nobody ever proved it's okay to run synthetics longer, but I do it all the
time. If I wasn't going to run it longer I wouldn't pay all that extra
money. Somebody must have done a scientific study on synthetic vs. dino oil
life. It must be out there. Hopefully somebody will post a link to such a
study.

"Mike Bowden" <b1a3duh2 (AT) execullink (DOT) com> wrote

Joe wrote:

Good article about manufacturers increasing their recommended intervals between
oil changes.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...22?hub=SciTech

It also noted the problems Toyota had with sludging a few years ago and that you
"should not have any problems" if you meet the manufacturers intervals. Sounds
good, but we've heard the stories of Chrysler accusing customers of abuse when
their 2.7L engines failed after they changed oil on schedule.

Joe wrote:

Just be aware that with certain engines, such as the 2.7L, the oil
filter hangs straight down and is recessed 1/2" or so above the frame
and oil pan which protect it. If you were to put the FL-1A on that
engine, the end of the filter projects below the protection and is
therefore vulnerable to tall, hard objects or projectiles from the road.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

Greg Houston wrote:

Correct. The recommended 7500 mile change interval on the 2.7 will
absolutely kill it.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

Mike Bowden wrote:
See here: http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html

Wow, these mileages are incredible! Most manufacturers here in Europe
specify 6000 or 12000 mile services for their cars. (My wife's Renault
Megane has 18000 mile service/oil change intervals)

Maybe I should change our oil more often! My Neon has oil change/service
intervals of 7500 miles according to the manual.

A

Adam H wrote:

18,000 mile intervals? I suspect that is using synthetic only?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

Sharon Cooke wrote:

The article states: "Engine wear actually decreases as oil ages. This
has also been substantiated in testing conducted by Ford Motor Co. and
ConocoPhillips, and reported in SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-3119. What
this means is that compulsive oil changers are actually causing more
engine wear than the people who let their engine's oil get some age on it."

I hate unqualified, meaningless statements like that. The wear curve on
one change would obviously be a dip, with greatly increasing wear
somewhere on the far end of the curve. Not including that fact in that
statement destroys credibility and makes one suspicious of emotion or
hidden agenda involved in making it.

If I take the statement at face value, I should never change the oil in
my car.

It also ignores other considerations such as sludge build up.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

Toyota has recommended Mobil 1 in its vehicles with sluge issues. Its
dealers now stock Mobil 1. Short drives that do not allow a motor to heat up
enough to drive off the water produced by the combustion process need
frequent oil changes. Most vehicles get the oil changed too frequently at a
waste of limited oil resources. My experience with extended oil changes with
Mobil 1 since it was introduced has been very positive. I change once a
year, weather it needs it or not.

Richard.