Blackstone Labs Oil Analysis Comparison at 10k Miles

[Mavster Mechanic]

Gary,
If you're changing the oil every 5,000 miles. How many miles of actual engine run time, do you think, that equates to on a hybrid Maverick?

Hybrid engine run miles are fewer than 50% of odometer miles in stop n go and city drive conditions.

Highway / Freeway at 55 mph engine will be on for about 90% of the miles.

At 65 mph engine will be on for about 98% of the miles.

At 75 mph engine will be on 99.9% of the miles.

At 81 mph and above the engine will run 100% of the miles.

In my gentle drive cycle more like 60% of the miles have engine off.

I've gone 6000 miles in 4 months.
Oil life is 59% remaining.

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[Codestar7]

Sounds like a pee test!

Remember to take the sample from midstream. 🫣 #4

Blackstone Laboratories oil collection involves collecting ~3 oz of engine oil in a clean bottle during an oil change or via a dipstick pump, filling out the provided info slip, and mailing it using the prepaid container. The key is to take the sample from the middle of the drain, not the beginning or end.
From Blackstone Laboratories

 

[Master Blaster]

Hybrid engine run miles are fewer than 50% of odometer miles in stop n go and city drive conditions.

Highway / Freeway at 55 mph engine will be on for about 90% of the miles.

At 65 mph engine will be on for about 98% of the miles.

At 75 mph engine will be on 99.9% of the miles.

At 81 mph and above the engine will run 100% of the miles.

In my gentle drive cycle more like 60% of the miles have engine off.

I've gone 6000 miles in 4 months.
Oil life is 59% remaining.

True, but remember that a huge amount of that time with the engine on is done at well below optimum temperatures conditions, and it does 100x the number of starts compared to a gas-only drivetrain. It only partially helps that it is using 0W20 oil to get lubrication there faster. All Hybrids should be using the extreme duty cycle schedule all the time.

 

[Chops]

Save your $ and I'll tell it to you straight:

Putting 2k miles per year on your Maverick means it won't matter what oil you run or test - your truck will never suffer an oil-related issue and will outlive you.

Thank you for your advice. I’m sure Blackstone will disagree - the benefit of a second opinion

Low mileage Maverick EBs greatly benefit from the composition of Full Synthetic however. 6-12 months changes are recommended too.

 

[surfstar]

Thank you for your advice. I’m sure Blackstone will disagree - the benefit of a second opinion

Low mileage Maverick EBs greatly benefit from the composition of Full Synthetic however. 6-12 months changes are recommended too.

They'll disagree because they're selling what you're buying.

2,000 miles a year.

You could run the oil that comes out used from someone else's Maverick and never have a problem.

 

[Chops]

They'll disagree because they're selling what you're buying.

2,000 miles a year.

You could run the oil that comes out used from someone else's Maverick and never have a problem.

I consider myself “lucky” to live comfortably only driving my Lobo 2,000 miles (or less) per year.

Being frugal has helped me reach this level - but using used motor oil??

Living your life “penny wise but pound foolish” is not too bright to be honest.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

True, but remember that a huge amount of that time with the engine on is done at well below optimum temperatures conditions, and it does 100x the number of starts compared to a gas-only drivetrain. It only partially helps that it is using 0W20 oil to get lubrication there faster. All Hybrids should be using the extreme duty cycle schedule all the time.

No and No.

Once "hot" to 185°F (about 5 to 10 minutes) mine stays there for the duration of the trip if I'm not using cabin heat. And I rarely do.

And No. Hybrids are not on an extreme duty cycle except when towing.

 

[CaliMav68]

I did my first oil/filter change at 5k. Every 7.5k thereafter. Full synthetic always. I'm at 75k. Maybe I should get an analysis for some foresight.

Before I get pushback, I have to say I've driven well over 1 million miles on many vehicles and have never had an engine/turbo problem related to oil.

 

[Darryl]

I’m not a total moron but can someone translate for me? I have a hybrid. I get that an oil change every 10,000 is adequate. I use synthetic oil. I also monitor the “oil life” stat on Ford Pass which right now says 40% and I’m taking it in Friday at 15,000 for state inspection and changing to summer tires. Any other basic advice from this post?

Maintain as the owners manual suggests, that's all. The oil life monitor is indeed accurate, especially for the hybrid.

 

[Darryl]

I did my first oil/filter change at 5k. Every 7.5k thereafter. Full synthetic always. I'm at 75k. Maybe I should get an analysis for some foresight.

Before I get pushback, I have to say I've driven well over 1 million miles on many vehicles and have never had an engine/turbo problem related to oil.

Looks like you're doing fine. Oil analysis would be nice for curiosity. But it's not necessary. Just drive and maintain as youve been doing. If you had a fuel injector malfunction, the fuel in oil would be so noticeable that an oil analysis wouldn't be necessary. Just do as youve been doing since the evidence shows it's been working well

 

[2024ash]

All Hybrids should be using the extreme duty cycle schedule all the time.

Ford disagrees and warranties exactly the opposite.

Oil analysis disagrees.

Why evidence do you have to support this claim?

 

[Chops]

Ford disagrees and warranties exactly the opposite.

Oil analysis disagrees.

Why evidence do you have to support this claim?

Extreme Duty = Oil Change more often?

How would that affect warranty?

 

[KO Stradivarius]

I sent in an oil sample from my 2015 Mustang GT on 4/1 from the Phoenix area via the USPS paid return shipping envelope they provided. I've been eagerly tracking the shipment.

It "Arrived at USPS Regional Facility" in Indianapolis (very close to Ft. Wayne, IN destination) on 4/4, and it has been "Moving Through Network - In Transit to Next Facility, Arriving Late" since then. At this point I think it's lost.

 

[Chops]

I sent in an oil sample from my 2015 Mustang GT on 4/1 from the Phoenix area via the USPS paid return shipping envelope they provided. I've been eagerly tracking the shipment.

It "Arrived at USPS Regional Facility" in Indianapolis (very close to Ft. Wayne, IN destination) on 4/4, and it has been "Moving Through Network - In Transit to Next Facility, Arriving Late" since then. At this point I think it's lost.

I also sent a sample to them on 4/1. My first time - I understand they can take a month to finish?

Anyway, I did not track my shipment to them. I did receive 2 more free sample kits from them this week.

I think Blackstone has their phone number available for checking on your sample status?

 

[jmk63]

Bought a holdover 2025 w/ 56mi on it. Have a little over 2k so far. Ballpark 75/25 gas/electric due to highway travel. Did my first 2 Blackstone reports. I've used them before on many vehicles.

OEM oil/filter changed at 753mi. Got to admit, since the vehicle was used as a demo model on the dealer lot, it didn't get run a lot, or hard enough, so the drained oil was very cloudy... presumed moisture build up since I live in the Puget Sound area. Used Mobil 1 Hybrid 0W-20 (unbelievably, Wal-Mart had it, Amazon and local part stores did not). Also used a Purolator BOSS filter.

So far, so good. Doing the next change at 5k mi out of force of habit. MAY rely on the oil life indicator, or MAY just continue with my usual 5k increments. Got a 2013 C-Max with 220k, 2006 Miata with 190k and (drumroll, please..) 2003 Acura TL-S with 544k - all with 5k change intervals. Various filters over the years/models (some Motorcraft, WIX, Purlolator...)

I'll wait to see what the 5k # look like. MAY go to 7.5k intervals. Don't know yet.

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