Kinda vague, I know, but I don't check my oil at every fuel fill up, every other day, or every time I brush my teeth; point being that I check it when it starts to click at me, wait 10 minutes for oil to drain to the bottom of the block, measure and add accordingly. my 92 100 has 155k miles on it, auto tranny (ick!), new brakes (woo hoo), and lots of life left in it. I do think that the consumption is going down, but I still need to change the oil, as it's been about 3k miles and who knows what kinda crap the syn has let loose. Interval for oil change *will* be between 5-7k miles, though I probably could go 10.

My consupmtion went up at first, then went down over the past 3k miles. I see no reason to not keep the oil in for at least another 2k miles. If you think it's dirty, change it. I don't believe that you have to be afraid that the synth has loosened chunks of gunk that are now clogging up the filter. Esters are hardly that potent. You may want to drain the old oil filter and cut it open and inspect what's in there, Dr. Snowman. ;-)

you go back to the previous oil. Actually, I'd stick with what you are using now before making a decision. The oil will also be fine during the winter for you.

Another thing: I've noticed I can about double oil consumption by driving the poor thing really hard. 8)