Oil change advice

[Chenzme]

Just purchased a 2000 steel gray GTS and to be safe changed the oil. Used the recommended 10-30 full synthetic Mobile 1 but they were out of the M1 compatible filter. So I went with a Fram filter (higher grad for synthetic oil I believe HG16). Now I'm hearing this is this filter is dangerous for my car. Is this true? And why?

[Steve-Indy]

Many years ago, the SRT engineers designed a filter that they felt was better/safer to use on their V 10. This decision came from analyzing info from many areas...including both street and racing usage. The Viper specific filter for YOUR Viper is Mopar part number 05037836AB

Also, while your Viper did originally come with Mobil 1 10W-30 motor oil, the factory moved to Mobil 1 0W-40 as the factory fill starting in 2005. It had been observer that the 10W-30 tested "a little on the thin side" on multiple used oil analyses...as well a virgin oil analysis taken straight from fresh bottles. This became very evident in sir-cooled Porsches if the ambient temps exceeded 86 degrees F. Many, many Gen I, II, and III owners moved to the Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula used as the " factory fill" in Vipers for 2005 & 2006...then 2008-2010. Multiple oil analyses support this concept for street use.

That said, Mobil 1 15W-50 became a great choice for racing Vipers as well as those on hot climates.

[dave6666]

It's Mobil 1. Mobiles are what babies spin above their cribs.

0W-40 is your friend. So is the M1-204 filter. Been running that combo in my '01 for over 10 years and 50k miles in the 110* heat with a blower that should have detonated my engine immediately.

Summary: Mobil... 1 can take care of you.

[Chenzme]

Ok thanks for the info. I'll swap out the filter asap and I'll switch to 0-40 on my next oil change.

[ViperSRT]

I prefer to use the Viper specific oil filter from FCA for all Gens.
As for oil viscosity I would avoid the 0w40 and go with 10w40 high mileage synthetic for Gen 1-3. Or 15w50 if used in warmer climates only.

[Steve-Indy]

Truthfully, there is NO hurry on the oil. I'm sorry that I don't know more in the Fram filter...but, I am guessing it poses little risk over the short term. Failures were not common. As Dave said, Mobil's M1-204 was used by many owners without problems on the street. Hell, I used them on 5 of our Vipers for many years..
Until the SRT filters came along.

Again, unless you are racing the car now, I wouldn't change courses until your next planned change. Are you in a hot climate??

[Chenzme]

I'm in Massachusetts so it's only hot for a few months and I don't plan on racing the car. Thanks for your input.

[Martyb]

I used fram filters more than once without an issue, you are fine. I do use the Mobil 1 filter now, but never had an issue with any of them. I have heard that oil pressure when starting the car gets really high, watch your gauge on start up and enjoy the ride! Congrats on a beautiful car!

[Chenzme]

Thanks Marty. Love this car!

[Lemay88]

While we are on the oil subject.
Should oil change be done based on time (every +- 6 months) or mileage??

[Steve-Indy]

Lemay, it is hard to tie it to either...at least scientifically...since variables such as type of driving, drive cycle length and duration, environment all have major influences...not to mention track use.

Whatever schedule you pick, using a good full synthetic gives you a lot if leeway..especially if you follow your car with used oil analysis.

[AZTVR]

As for oil viscosity I would avoid the 0w40 and go with 10w40 high mileage synthetic for Gen 1-3. How do the viscosities of those two 40 weight oils compare at operating temperature?

[Angleiron]

While we are on the oil subject.
Should oil change be done based on time (every +- 6 months) or mileage??

Synthetics are good for at 12K miles, or at least yearly. No reason to change it out before either 12K miles or once a year unless you have money to burn. If you track that is a different scenario...but for a daily driver 12K or 12 months.

[ViperSRT]

How do the viscosities of those two 40 weight oils compare at operating temperature?

I could look it up, but suffice to say both are more viscous than the OEM spec of 10w30 specified for Gen 1-3. The problem is 0w40 is thinner than the OEM spec at lower temperatures with thinner film thickness at start up and no engines in that time frame were tested with it. I have observed in other engines significant bearing wear and piston skirt wear due to lower viscosity oils. Thus for my personal usage I prefer to increase, while also maximizing phosphorous and zinc anti wear additives.

[Lemay88]

Lemay, it is hard to tie it to either...at least scientifically...since variables such as type of driving, drive cycle length and duration, environment all have major influences...not to mention track use.

Whatever schedule you pick, using a good full synthetic gives you a lot if leeway..especially if you follow your car with used oil analysis.

Up here in Canada, weather prevents us from driving year round. I street drive only about 4000km per summer but change my oil every winter. Am I overkilling it?? Should I go only every 2 winter??

[Steve-Indy]

ViperSRT, according to the Mobil 1 site., their 0W-40 fs has more phosphorus and zinc than the 10W-40 High mileage that you mentioned.

Lemay88, once a year is likely fine with limited mileage, cooler climate, non-racing, low dust, limited traffic jam usage.

I have used Mobil 1 0W-40 in 8 of our Vipers for many, many years...SCORES of used oil analyses show no abnormal wear for Vipers spanning the first four generations. Admittedly, I still use the Pennzoil 0W-40 in the Gen V...so far.

Whatever you do choose, be sure to allow full warm up of the oil before pulling power and high RPM. Treat it like an aircraft engine !!

[Lemay88]

You the man Steve....thanks for being there

[MuRCieLaGo]

12,000 miles? Wow that's a lot. I was just about to drain the oil pan, I drove 4,000 miles since my last oil change (March). Highway & street only. Viper owners seem to disagree on the oil change frequency.

[Bill W]

Owners Manual for my 2002 RT/10 under Schedule A says to change oil every 7500 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first. More frequent under poor climate conditions or heavy traffic stop-and-go type driving. Just sayin' To each his own.

[Old School]

12,000 miles? Wow that's a lot.


Owners Manual for my 2002 RT/10 under Schedule A says to change oil every 7500 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first. More frequent under poor climate conditions or heavy traffic stop-and-go type driving. Just sayin' To each his own.
I would be hard for me to go beyond the manufacture’s (Chrysler) oil change interval.

[AZTVR]

Owners Manual for my 2002 RT/10 under Schedule A says to change oil every 7500 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first. More frequent under poor climate conditions or heavy traffic stop-and-go type driving. Just sayin' To each his own.
It would be hard for me to go beyond the manufacture’s (Chrysler) oil change interval.

I would have thought that it would be rare to find anyone who would meet the manufacturer's interval requirement of a maximum of 6 months between oil changes if thay had driven less than 1-2000 miles.

[Old School]

I would have thought that it would be rare to find anyone who would meet the manufacturer's interval requirement of a maximum of 6 months between oil changes if thay had driven less than 1-2000 miles.

I guess I am in the minority around here, I average 2k miles/month.