Blackstone Laboratories oil analysis with TBN - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Nicholas · 10-20-2008, 07:37 AM

Just changed oil and oil filter yesterday (second oil change on this vehicle, first one at 1,035 miles to "flush" out the system and now this one at 5,035 miles to place my scheduled oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals). Will be submitting a oil sample to Blackstone Laboratories for a complete oil analysis including a TBN (Total Base Numbers) report. This oil sample is Mobil I 5W - 20W with 4,000 miles use. Plan on changing oil at 5,000 mile intrevals (can't justify 10,000 mile oil changes on a three cylinder engine...just my preferences). If anyone is interested, I can post the results probably by next week at the latest...

**jwight** · 10-20-2008, 07:41 AM

Please do. I've got over 6K miles on Mobil 1 5W30 now and it will probably be close to 8K by the time it gets changed to 0W40 for the winter. Will be interested in your test results.

Karl Roth · 10-20-2008, 09:29 AM

Please do, we can then compare the data the report I got back showed lots of life left.
Oil Analysis
we may even learn something...
karl

Nicholas · 10-21-2008, 09:45 AM

Will do guys...Mailed out the sample yesterday (Monday - October 20th, 2008) morning and was told that since it was a "fluid" it would have to go by parcel post (slowest safest way possible, I guess) and should take approximately five to six days from Tallahassee, Florida to Fort Wayne, Indiana. You must understand that one needs to let the horse every now and then...So with that information, I'm probably looking at later next week or so for the results. Was hoping for results by this upcoming weekend to share with the Emeral Coast smart Car Club at a local car show...oh well!

**jwight** · 10-21-2008, 03:19 PM

At least I'm closer to Indiana; how much does the test cost?

Nicholas · 10-22-2008, 08:05 AM

Standard oil analysis - $22.50, TBN (Total Base Numbers) - $10.00 for a total of $32.50...is it worth it? Well, I guess so for me to give me an indication of what this engine is doing internally without a tear-down.

GHammerly · 10-22-2008, 03:08 PM

Should be good to compare your 4000 mile results with a 10000 mile old oil.
I'm planning on changing every 5000 for now.