Synthetic VS. Regular oil reliability

[severous01]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

That's the way the original dino stuff looked coming out of mine at 5K, and the Castrol GTX in it now is pale yellow on the dipstick at about 3K. Color doesn't tell you much, but the 1NZ-FE doesn't soot up its oil badly.

if oil is still clean, why change it. that means the filter is still filtering, the oil is not burnt, there are no deposits in it, and the oil is still lubricating. there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to change oil if it's still clean. i've even gone as far as a 5k check, replace filter, top off and be done with it. and that's what i'd suggest to anyone as a mechanic and having been a mechanic for years...that if it's still clean, let it get dirty. now, after your service interval you'll need to do your checks, and i'd suggest during gas or other fill-ups.

now, on another note. do whatever you want. i'm done on this note, there's more than enough info on the web if you're willing and capable of doing so...