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GraphiteDak
GenIII
 
3/07/2005
22:40:41
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 Subject: Amsoil question
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Message:
I'm hoping Steve will find this thread.
OK here's the deal. I of course drive my Dakota and my wife drives our 2004 Grand Caravan with the 3.8 V6
I started using Amsoil 5w30 in the Grand Caravan on the last oil change. At that time it had 12,500 miles and now it has 17,500 miles. 5,000 mile since I changed and used Amsoil.
Well she drives it daily to work and back here in Phoenix and lately has taken it to Tuscon for family matters. Her brother checked the oil at the gas station and it is about a quart low.
I told him since it was just at the indicator to NOT add just ANY oil because I use Amsoil and I'll add some later since it wasn't critical.
So I rechecked it when she got home sunday and sure enough it's just below the cross hatches into the "ADD 1 quart" area. It is also kind of BROWN in color.
Now. I am not used to the product yet. I was wondering if 1 quart of consumption was normal as well as the color.
The crazy van also was low on power steering fluid already, which is weird. My Dak doesn't loose any oil or power steering fluid at all but they are driven different. Different as in I got a company vehicle to drive daily and my truck gets it's miles either buy a trip to the store after work or a few hundred highway miles when we leave town or tow the ATV's.
Anyway. I was wondering if I need to get some time to really inspect the van for problems. The woman gets on my sh*t when it needs something but I rarely drive the thing.
I ordered another gallon of Amsoil and a filter since I didn't think of ordering any EXTRA at the time :-( Oh yeah. I also asked you about oil for my ATV. Funny thing is when i was buying new ATV's for our kids the shop we go to (R ATV/MX wherehouse) here in Phoenix carries Amsoil for ATV's! So I got that in my ATV but haven't ran the ATV yet but will at the dunes this weekend.
Any info is appreciated.
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
3/08/2005
07:08:19
|  Amsoil question Oil Consumption 1 qt low Amzoil
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Message:
Hey Graphite:
Oil consumption during the first 20k miles on a new vehicle is not uncommon as the engine is breaking in, (i.e. piston ring seal). Until that time you are experiencing additional blow-by gasses since the rings are not scraping all the oil off the cylinders during the downstroke. It should remedy itself at about the 20k mile mark. If it does not --- switch to Amsoil 10w-30 instead of Amsoil 5w-30 and that should take care of the consumption.
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SPECIAL NOTE FOR EVERYONE: Almost all engines consume some amount of oil between changes, so please check your oil on a regular basis and not only when you change the fluid.
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Oil Appearance ... Appearance has little to do with an oils ability to protect. The color is basically partially burnt hydrocarbons and fine particles.
All oils will turn dark (brown or black) given enough time. I've found thinner oils will turn dark quicker than thicker oils. Special Note: Color isn't the be-all-end-all sign that an oil should be changed.
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Power Steering Fluid. The steering system is not something to take lightly. I would top it off and monitor it closely. Look for leaks, drips, or wet lines. Check frequently. If the problem persists ask a mechanic.
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I hope this answered your questions.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
3/08/2005
23:20:12
| RE: Amsoil question
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Message:
Thanks. It would not be a problem if I drove the thing regularly but I don't.
When the wife tells me something it's almost too late. Like her brakes that just started going metal to metal last month!
Again, my DAk has 10k more miles and brakes are still good. Both have 4 wheel disk and yadi yadi.
A lot of it must be her driving in stop and go to work here in phoenix. My Dak don't take me to work.
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Big Ed
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/09/2005
06:57:03
| RE: Amsoil question
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Message:
Mr. Amsol, if one goes with graphit and later wants to go back to dino oil, whats the procedure? I've been told once you use graphit, you have to stay with it.
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
3/16/2005
19:48:00
| RE: Amsoil question
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Message:
I had ordered more Amsoil and put some in last night. It was mor elike only a pint or slightly more low. So it didn't use as much as we thought. I guess that's not bad for 5K miles so far since I changed with Amsoil.
Today I drove the Grand Caravan (which I haven't in a while) and had my wife, one of my kids, plus 3 other adults in it. Did 80-85 MPH the entire way to Flagstaff and back (from West Valley) and got about 20MPG. I guess that's not too bad. maybe the Amsoil helped. It seemed to only get maybe 1 or so better MPG than my Dak on the highway in the past. This was pretty good MPG I think. Oh, it's got a 3.8 V6.
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