Yeah the oil breaking down makes the sludge so if you use good oil the filter stays clean. I used to change oil twice a year and the filter once a year usually in the spring since the winter was the tougher months.

Hey the guy in Texas that seems to be matching me in gas mileage in an xB is using Torco motor oils and EAL additives while I am using Synlube. We both use acetone and GP7 in the gas too.

I agree with you on changing that manual trannys oil. It's overdue by 20k, but in my used oil analysis I have found that on any modern engine (1994+) with under 175,000miles the amsoil EaO filters will give amazing filtration with HARD driving up to 15,000miles on any good oil, dino or not. They are designed for 25,000.

I suggest you try NAPA Gold filters. I've got an engine with the same needs, and both the bosch and the delco don't do as well as the napa gold for anti-drainback for stopping that chatter

ahh i have access to: napa, carquest, autozone, advance autoparts, orileys.

how much is the napa filter? i usually dont go in napa cuz thier parts are more expensive and kinda a pain to get to...

I've seen this on the discovery channel, i think?? but its mainly all down the the molecules in the oils. regular oil molecules is shaped like a round ball with spikes. the synthetic oil is like smooth ball bearings so its low friction. also the synthetic doesn't break down as fast as reg oil.
also (in my opinion) if you get a new veh. don't use synthetics until the 1st or 2nd oil change. the synthetic oil is too slippery to seat the new rings, it may have lots of oil burn or low compression if the rings don't seat. after the 1st or 2nd oil change your good to use synthetics.

It all depends on what ya drive...mine is $5.69
I would have looked it up for ya, but you don't have a garage entry...

Man you are sooo right on this...in fact I'd wait until the fourth oil change...I know so many ppl that don't wait and for the life of thier engine, they use more than 1.5qts of oil every 6000miles. its sad.
and that kills the o2 prematurely and the catalytic ya know?

Don't a lot of new cars come out of the factory with synthetic?

this brings up a good conversation... ive heard its best to drive the car hard while breaking it in. i did with the fit and the mpg sucked in the beginning, but it seems to be doing much better now....

I've also heard driving your new car hard in the beginning is good like taxis and police cars(good power from seating the rings). but from the new car manufactures I've heard driving it easy/low rpms / slow is good also. so who knows??