How can you tell what oil was used on a used car?
04-14-09, 08:26 PM
#1
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How can you tell what oil was used on a used car?
Bought a car recently and it occurred to me that I would like to know what oil was used. I know I can send an oil sample to Amsol but can they tell me what the brand is?
Is there a way I can tell if its synthetic or conventional? Any help is appreciated!
Is there a way I can tell if its synthetic or conventional? Any help is appreciated!
04-14-09, 11:49 PM
#2
You won't be able to find out anything about previous oil changes and regardless, it won't make one lick of difference. If you're concerned about engine performance, then you should do some engine analysis not oil analysis.. It's like asking what gas was used betwen miles 100-500 or what were the first set of tires or brake pads used.
Plus you're paying quite a bit for that information.
If you're worried about the oil, save the money you would have spent on the oil analysis, and use it to put in your oil of choice, or myriad of oil additive treatments (e.g. auto-rx/seafoam).
Unless your particular engine is prone to sludge issues, even if the previous owner used the cheapest oil available, and changed it infrequently, you will not have any lasting damage, given today's modern oils. And if they were the type that did absolutely zero maintenance for 60k miles, you probably have other problems with your car to worry about.
04-16-09, 09:03 PM
#3
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Posts: n/a
An oil analysis will tell you some specs about the oil you currently have. But I'm not sure what you are going to accomplish.
You won't be able to find out anything about previous oil changes and regardless, it won't make one lick of difference. If you're concerned about engine performance, then you should do some engine analysis not oil analysis.. It's like asking what gas was used betwen miles 100-500 or what were the first set of tires or brake pads used.
Plus you're paying quite a bit for that information.
If you're worried about the oil, save the money you would have spent on the oil analysis, and use it to put in your oil of choice, or myriad of oil additive treatments (e.g. auto-rx/seafoam).
Unless your particular engine is prone to sludge issues, even if the previous owner used the cheapest oil available, and changed it infrequently, you will not have any lasting damage, given today's modern oils. And if they were the type that did absolutely zero maintenance for 60k miles, you probably have other problems with your car to worry about.
You won't be able to find out anything about previous oil changes and regardless, it won't make one lick of difference. If you're concerned about engine performance, then you should do some engine analysis not oil analysis.. It's like asking what gas was used betwen miles 100-500 or what were the first set of tires or brake pads used.
Plus you're paying quite a bit for that information.
If you're worried about the oil, save the money you would have spent on the oil analysis, and use it to put in your oil of choice, or myriad of oil additive treatments (e.g. auto-rx/seafoam).
Unless your particular engine is prone to sludge issues, even if the previous owner used the cheapest oil available, and changed it infrequently, you will not have any lasting damage, given today's modern oils. And if they were the type that did absolutely zero maintenance for 60k miles, you probably have other problems with your car to worry about.
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