Recently, the basic cleaning application indicates that the service time for cleaning phase of the application has been extended up to 3000 miles, up from the previous 2500-mile recommendation.
First, we must examine what scenario fits the basic application. The basic application is designed for folks who have performed good lubrication change-out intervals and have maintained their vehicles well. Internal engine deposits, especially piston ring deposits, can form even when adhering to recommended oil change intervals. And yes, even with running synthetics. This is for two reasons.
One is that folks try to run extended drain intervals with synthetics or full synthetics. Sure, you can typically run synthetics longer than conventional oils. But how much longer is the million dollar question. Some motors are not all that taxing on the oil, whereas others have shown to be very tough on oil. The useful life of oil in one motor design is much different than that of another. With respect to piston ring deposits, all of the components of deposits are present. You have incomplete combustion gases, moisture, airborne particulates, and very high heat and pressure all present with each combustion stroke of the motor. Even full synthetic oils, Group IV, are not exempt from coking up the rings. Once the rings are coked up to the point of not being able to work to seal the cylinder walls adequately during the combustion process, now you have a motor that is much more prone to sludge.
But back to the application change. We have realized that, for motors that have possibly just begun the deposit formation, an additional 500 miles of driving with Auto-Rx installed is beneficial. At the dosage rate of 3 fluid ounces per quart of motor oil during the cleaning phase of the application using the recommended conventional oil or Group III motor oils, there has been no increase in wear metals by extending the cleaning mode from 2500 miles up to 3000 miles, while also showing some additional cleaning action on deposits away from high frictional areas. This is an application change that maximizes the performance of the application.
This also maximizes the cost of the host oil. Conventional oils generically have a useful life of 3000 miles. We see no need to shorten the oil change interval of conventional oil to 2500 miles during the Auto-Rx application. For folks choosing to run Group III oils, which for the most part are conventional oils with base stocks further refined and do offer the potential for somewhat extended oil change intervals, the cleaning interval should remain at 3000 miles. However, for the sake of oil economy, you may add the Auto-Rx dose with up to 1000 miles on the current fill. In other words, you may add Auto-Rx to a Group III with only 1000 miles of service life and run for the recommended 3000 miles.
There is no need to shorten the useful life of the host while running an Auto-Rx application for those vehicles that fit the basic application. However, those that fit into the heavy sludge application, this does not apply. The run or dwell time of a heavy sludge application has not changed. For heavy sludge, the mileage and recommended oil filter change halfway through the application steps have not changed.
For heavy sludge, we recommend changing out the filter at the 1200-1300 mile mark. The reason for this is that the oil filter can become loaded before completing the 2500 miles of running. In that case, a fully loaded filter will go into the bypass mode whereby the filter is no longer capturing the contaminants and the contamination is circulating throughout the oiling system. This is somewhat counterproductive and undesirable. Auto-Rx works best with maximum oil flow throughout the oiling system, so oil restriction due to a completely filled oil filter is counterproductive.
Heavy sludge applications require a second treatment. In most cases during the second application of Auto-Rx, the need for filter changes at the 1200-mile mark are not necessary.
We are dedicated to maximizing your use and benefits of Auto-Rx.
-- Edited by wordpro on Thursday 10th of June 2010 06:01:51 PM
Makes perfect sense to me. In a motor in need of somewhat minor cleaning, why not run the extra 500 miles with Auto-Rx added? The ingredients of Auto-Rx provide for increased dispersancy, as well as providing increased lubrication, with respect to better oil film formation and extreme pressure capability. This is exactly what you want in cleaning out oil contamination deposits.
With respect to the the heavy sludge application remaining the same this makes alot of sense as well. For one reason the oil filter change half way through to ensure maximum oil flow just makes sense, both in the cleaning mode ande rinse mode. It also makes a good point that the extra filter changes are normally only required during the first application of ARX in a heavy sludge unit. I say that because in the first application the first layer of crud can be dissolved or removed in somewhat short order. On the second go around or application you are dissolving contaminants that have been in place for quite some time and require more dwell time to dissolve. Equate this to something that has burned in a pan on the stove. The first layer is easy to wash away, to get the pan spotless takes some time. Or if you have been wrenching on your ride, the majority can be washed off relatively quickly, but a second cleaning is normally necessary to get your hands clean enough for the wife's approval.
