Is there a "better time" to get a oil sample for your oil analysis? When:
a) you're changing the oil so you can see 'how good or how bad' it really is
b) in the middle of your oil change cycle
c) just after you change it and drive 100 miles
d) when you want to take the sample
e) OR?

There are plenty of other threads re: which oil analysis company to use, this thread is not for that discussion. I'm curious about "when".

 

I always got mine at the time I changed the oil. I didn't really need to get a pump to stick down the dip stick tube at mid interval. If you get it at the time you change it you can see if longer change intervals are best for you and what your oil life remaining is. Hope that helps!

 

It depends on what your goal is. If you want to find out if your new oil will last through an extended interval, check it at 8,000 miles and leave i in there until you get the results back.

If you want to check on engine status, get the sample as you're changing oil.

If you install new oil and filter, and run it for 100 miles, then a sample gives you a base line.

in any case, take the truck for a short drive first. Make sure to get the oil good and warm, and burn off any water or fuel that may have collected during while sitting.

 

I used to sample every 5k to be sure all was well and ran syn oil up to 25k. That's all with a bypass. I don't rack up the miles like I used to so I sample and change oil and both filter at 10k now. I check delta-P and the full flow can go 10k easily. I could run a lot longer but it takes 1 1/2 yrs for me to put on 10k so I don't have any need to stretch it anymore. Craig

 

Being I have put over 10K on my synthetic oil I know that I only need get a oil sample when I change it after the one year mark and know that based on the TBN numbers even after it being one year old if I wanted too I could run the oil for longer time but I like to change it out once a year even though the oil is still go for further usage.

 

I ended up taking a sample after 4k miles on the oil. It was suggested to me (from Blackstone labs) to keep the sample times consistant so you can better analyze any changes. Works for me.

 

thanks everyone for your input; very helpful