Miata Mailing List: February 2000, Message #73

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Just a chart I used some time ago to justify switching from Mobil 1 to
Mobil regular.

Engine    Cost of Oil Change  Oil Change      Lifetime Oil Change Cost

Life       Syn  Min                Interval   Cost (Syn)     Cost (Min)
Cost delta
100000    21   9              3000       700       300       400
150000    21   9              3000       1,050          450       600
200000    21   9              3000       1,400          600       800
100000    21   9              4500       467       200       267
150000    21   9              4500       700       300       400
200000    21   9              4500       933       400       533

* assumes $5 oil filter, 4 quarts oil ($4 synthetic, $1 mineral) per change

**cost of a slightly used 1.6l motor: $500 + 1 saturday.

(I still use 10w30 50/50 synthetic/reg in really cold months like January for cold start up,
 Redline MTL in the gearbox is essential when the car is *cold*)

Jim
'90 M1