01-23-2009, 09:46 AM
As Paul F suggested, I'd switch to synthetic. That'll not only reduce future engine wear and further sludge formation (which is important at this stage since you're on the downhill towards failure part of the wear cycle), but it'll allow you to safely go to 10,000 mile oil changes (though 5,000 filter changes are still recommended. This should make the extra cost per oil change a wash. It's plain dumb to go synthetic and continue high frequency oil changes. You should also get a very slight increase in gas mileage, though unlikely to be measurable. Make sure you go full synthetic (Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Amsoil or German Castrol), not a synthetic blend. If you want more information on the state of your engine, have an oil analysis done and then go hang out at the bobistheoilguy forums.