Oil Change Questions

[HumThree]

Hey all!

I was about to change the oil in my H3 and was wondering a few things.

What size oil filter does it need and what brand do you guys recommend?

I have 3000 miles on my truck and I was thinking about switching to synthetic oil. Is it too early?

Any other tips/knowledge on the sucject is greatly appreciated!

[HumThree]

Hey all!

I was about to change the oil in my H3 and was wondering a few things.

What size oil filter does it need and what brand do you guys recommend?

I have 3000 miles on my truck and I was thinking about switching to synthetic oil. Is it too early?

Any other tips/knowledge on the sucject is greatly appreciated!

[f5fstop]

My personal recommendation would be a Mobil 1 oil filter (K&N isn't too shabby either). Both of these filters, filter down to the 10-12 micron level, but both are rather expensive.
As for synthetic oil, I have my opinion that in this day-and-age of high tech dino oil, synthetic is not necessary, unless running in extreme weather (hot/cold). Just change it when the indicator tells you too and there should be no problems.
My opinion on synthetic versus dino oil comes from reading some extensive tests performed by three of the large auto manufacturers and their testing of the modern oils. The use of a good name brand oil is important. Reason is that the biggest problems with oil degradation is the additives are degraded long before the actual oil stock. If you want to really get information, take a sample of the oil you are draining, and send it to a reliable oil analysis location such as Blackstone's in Indiana. They will analyze the oil, and let you know what the TBN is (the higher the TBN, the less the oil has degraded).
However, using synthetic will not harm the engine, and if that is what you desire, go 4 it. There is no mileage requirement for when to start using synthetic oil, many cars are shipped right from the factory with synthetic.
If I was going to use synthetic, I would do it at 1K miles. (Miro size metal particles from the initial break in period of the oil will be removed at the 1K oil change. This is normal wear-and-tear, and most oil filters will trap.)
Again, just my opinion.