Oil Change interval in Pakistan is a SCAM

[big_bud]

Thanks for ur input sir, I agree about the mechanics, low awareness and low understanding. No one is questioning that.

I don't know about what things in particular have you found me to be delusional about? However, addressing the 2 things that you have mentioned:

IMO general people did not have access and knowledge about fully synthetic oils till early 2000s, most local oil shops did not stock them. This period was the prime of 20w50 havoline and 3000km oil change intervals.The availability and awareness has since increased, but still in smaller cities and villages you won't find everything in stock at every shop. Depends what we consider general population to be?

Plus I don't think Thai imported engine parts + PKDM assembly is same quality as a JDM spec or UK spec etc engine. PKDM engines don't last as long as JDM ones, even the CKD and SKD units have difference in quality.

I am talking about general population, normal Mehran, FX, Cultus, Wagon R, Corolla and Civic level. The common guy, you are mentioning BMs and ZXs off course for premium customers everything is available for a price in Pakistan. However if you knew it doesn't mean everyone knew it sir, there's huge disparity in Pakistan when it comes to education/knowledge and general knowledge. In my view you represent 0.01% of Pakistanis in terms of automotive knowledge perhaps even less lol! You are a guru in this field but I think my points are some what correct also!

P.S. to date we are using mineral oils in our CD/CGs, there is not even a semi synthetic option available. Atlas honda sells mineral oil still for its bikes. Fully synthetic is not even generally made in 20w40 grade.

As per this article, in 2016 Atlas introduced fully synthetic oil for its cars:
https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/honda-total-idemitsu-launch-pakistans-first-synthetic-engine-oil/

[Taimur92]

I remember even in early 2000's Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 fully synthetic used to be available at every Shell pump in Karachi. I used to buy a semi-synthetic 10w40 for Indus Corolla, but I distinctly remember that gray/black helix ultra bottle on Shell stations.

Atlas, Paksuzuki, and Indus may have introduced it later, but that's a different story. Indus still doesn't sell a 5w30 grade fully synthetic so that shouldn't be considered a benchmark for availability IMO. For diesel engines, indus stills sells the decades old api cf 20w50 Dezon oil even for the latest 1GD engines.

Thai import and Pak assembly may not be superior to JDM, but engine built quality is in no way inferior. The engine quality in a pkdm is exactly the same as a jdm, usdm, etc. Yes, the car may not be put-together as well as a JDM.

Also, have you compared a similar USDM vehicle with a PKDM? I have and trust me those are not superior as people in Pak think them to be. Slight door bonnet misalignment, orange-peel on paint, it is all there in a USDM vehicle as well. Infact, the interior plastics of a usdm are even worse than local civics and corollas.

[big_bud]

Right, so what is your hypothesis why this short oil interval craze caught up and why still 5000 interval is being recommended and followed by many?

[nfssaad]

its easier now. when caltex wound up the fuel business, they opened up outlets and service stations selling only caltex oils.

easily available now in majority of places.

[Xulfiqar]

the reason for the insane short interval craze is mostly because of "old ways" - ancient aircooled VWs and other small carburetted engines with poor quality oils and no oil filters required such an oil change interval. This has been tatooed into the brains of car owners because of "their elders did it"

5000 kms is not even peanuts for a modern motor engine oil running in a proper tuned engine, meaning the engine is not running stone cold all the time (dumping fuel) and the correct type, add pack and viscosity oil is being used.

Most of Pakistan does fall under severe running cycle of vehicles due to slow moving traffic and dusty conditions prevailing, its best to follow the manufacturers recommended ways to cope with severe duty cycle.

[dms664]

Sir in Pakistan if a car is running mostly on highway on a speed of 120 kph with manufacturer recommended viscosity ie 5w30. What should be the ideal change interval with oem orig part oil filter?

Ps oil is from caltex fully synthetic api sn plus in case that matters

[Xulfiqar]

I believe your vehicle will do perfectly for 10,000 or 12,000 kms oil change, provided that you top it up as required.

[dms664]

And sir what about vehicle running inside the city having stuck at signals for long in routine. This vehicle is also on manufacturer recommended viscosity of 0w20 with oem filter.

[Xulfiqar]

Use the severe cycle for that, its usually 30% shorter

[huzaifasaeed]

Xulfiqar sahab, apkee maddat darkaar hai.

I have an aggressive driving style and thus brake pads seldom last more than 5k kms on my honda city gm1, I’ve been using oem genuine brake pads. What brand can i shift to that would give me the same stopping power but last longer. Brands in question are the locally available ones. Thankyou in advance.

[tausseef]

And now I got a call from Suzuki that its been 3 months since my last oil change. And I should get it changed.
Really confused here

[dms664]

Thanks a lot sir. now its crystal clear. There was a time duration as well with mineral oil like they used to say that change at 5k kms or 6 months which ever come first. So I want to know if there is time duration with fully synthetic oils as well. Some ppl say that change it after one year but there is no authentic information regarding that.

[dms664]

provided that you top it up as required.

sir for topup are we required to use the same brand and grade or any brand and grade will do.
For example I am using caltex 5w30 fully synthetic so do I require the same brand and grade to top up? Yes I will not top up with mineral oil but can I top up with 5w40 or 5w50 fully synthetic of same brand or different brands? Usually mechanic top up with 20w50 mineral only but I personally think that mineral and synthetic oils should not be mixed. Please guide regarding this confusion.

[nfssaad]

do not mix oils ever. infact, always buy from same source.

[dms664]

but the opinion of ppl on bob the oil guy is otherwise. ppl do mix oils but there are dos and donts for which we seek guidance of gurus like @Xulfiqar

[big_bud]

Agreed... As we are on this topic I'd like to ask that I am one of those guys who believe in using a higher heat rating oil as the car gets old. And in fact a lot of people do, my friend was using 0w20 Honda recommended engine oil and found his accord was noisy. He took it to Honda dealership and the mechanics there recommended using 5w30, this is what they recommended to all accords post 50,000kms because factory recommended oil was too thin.

Do you agree with doing that? or you are in favour of strictly following the manufacturer. I personally am in favour of using same cold rating but higher heat rating i.e. 0w-30 instead of 0w20. What is your opinion?

[VCheng]

do not mix oils ever. infact, always buy from same source.

Incorrect.

[Xulfiqar]

what is a higher heat rated oil? and how can 5w30 make an engine less noisy than lets say a 0w20?

[VCheng]

More heat rating = More red chilli powder used.
More noise reduction = Add more banana.

Obviously!

[Xulfiqar]

What im wondering is that since when has any Honda engine become “old and worn” in 50,000 kms

They have been known to spit in satans eye with just 1 out of 4 litres in its sump.