Synthetic oil turned black

2012 BUICK VERANO
100,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RAY DAWKINS
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What can cause synthetic oil to turn dark (black) in low miles (3,000)? Will it be safe to change from synthetic to conventional oil? He has been using this oil for about 60,000 miles.
Nov 9, 2019 at 5:16 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

Has the car ever overheated? That will heat up the oil.

What brand did you use?

Yes, you can go back to standard oil.

Roy
Nov 9, 2019 at 6:00 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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Mobil -1.
Nov 10, 2019 at 6:50 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Top brand.

Has the engine ever overheated?

Roy
Nov 10, 2019 at 6:56 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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no, that I know of.
Nov 10, 2019 at 7:11 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, the only other thing I can think of is the oil running low. That would also overheat the oil and turn it black.

Roy
Nov 10, 2019 at 7:37 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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yes it was low and black.
Nov 10, 2019 at 7:42 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, that is the reason. You need to check your oil every time you add fuel to the car.

Change the oil and filter and keep up with checking it regularly.


Roy
Nov 10, 2019 at 8:27 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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But can you change the oil weight or oil type to lessen the oil loss (burn)on a 2012 vehicle like this one? What can be done other than changing piston rings?
Nov 12, 2019 at 7:15 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You can go to a non-synthetic oil as I stated but stay with the weight.

How much oil do you use between changes?

Roy
Nov 12, 2019 at 7:23 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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about 2 quarts.
Nov 12, 2019 at 8:54 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Normal usage is a quart every 800 miles.

How many miles between oil changes.

Roy
Nov 12, 2019 at 9:11 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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3,000 miles.
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:39 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Although that is low mileage, it is still normal. I go 6k on my oil changes and do not use a quart.

The reason is most likely piston rings and it is burning the oil.

If you are using synthetic oil and changing it at 3,000, that is a waste of money. Synthetic oil changes are much longer intervals for protection.

Go to standard oil if you change it at 3,000.

Roy
Nov 12, 2019 at 1:45 PM
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RAY DAWKINS
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Is it that synthetic oil is made better for some vehicles than other? I have been use to getting 4,000 to 5,000 with conventional oil between changes .But I would have to add oil from time to time . which car do you drive with the higher mileage changes?
Nov 14, 2019 at 5:39 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Hyundai Sonate. I can go as far as 7500.

It is not made better for different cars at all. It adheres to the engine parts for better lubrication.

Roy
Nov 14, 2019 at 6:09 AM
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RAY DAWKINS
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What year ? Not the GM cars.
Nov 14, 2019 at 6:19 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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2012

It does not matter. You can change it anytime you want. Just realize you need to check it often and use the correct weight according to the manufacturer.

Roy
Nov 14, 2019 at 6:33 AM