Oil analysis

But the kicker is the cost of the analysis, to include the TBN check, is about the same as an oil change. The savings of extending the change interval based on an analysis is never realised for a gas engine but will be for a diesel when the owner is dealing with oil capacities that can be as much as 5 times that of a gasoline engine.

Getting the oil checked at each change is a good thing to do but you have to be consistent to develop the trend data. Without the trend data the test only provides a brief snapshot of the engine wear. And don't forget the transmission.