2002 7.3 Powerstroke Excursion not driven much need oil change interval suggestions please

[va_life]

My 2002 Excursion 7.3 with about 208,000 miles takes about 1.5-2 years to get 5,000 miles on the oil. I use HDEO Traveler Oil 15w-40 and Protec/Wix oil filter as my go to bang for the buck IMO since the engine is relatively young and these things go forever.

The bigger thing is that I am getting a bit older now and change oil on/maintain 6 other vehicles so I am always working on something.

I never stopped to think about replacement by time as opposed to mileage. I don't think I want to pay for 15 quarts for synthetic either.

The thing is short tripped as well. I am a bit concerned about the injectors since the HPOP runs the injectors off engine oil. I hated pulling those valve covers with a passion even for wire harnesses. I can't imagine how much I will be hating my wallet, time, and life once it comes to replacing the injectors. I hear that I am on borrowed time for injector replacement at about 200k anyways.

What do you say? Do I really need to get that oil changed annually?

Thanks.

 

[NiwradND]

Every Two years or 5000 miles will not hurt a thing.

 

[va_life]

Every Two years or 5000 miles will not hurt a thing.

Truly shocked. I expect tons of contrary perspectives. Thanks.

 

[BC1]

Takes me about 18 months also to reach 5000 these days but no short trips. If short tripping I would change it sooner. A bucket of rebate oil is cheaper than the fuel needed for "take it on a long highway run once a week" advice.

 

[Vegasguy]

Just did mine today. Went a whopping 208 miles in 22 months. Oil came out gold still lol. Conventional 15w40 Motorcraft with a Microguard Select filter went in

 

[Oliveoil2]

15qt sump!! Don’t rush. Every 2 yrs is fine. But this is not the type of vehicle that takes kindly to being short tripped.

 

[fantastic]

Here's what you can do. Get some Power Service injector cleaner & use it every tank of diesel. Grab their gray bottle fuel stabilizer for diesels too. You can combine both in the tank, no problem. Keep those fuel filters changed every 10k. Your usage is okay at 5k / 2 yrs. Don't sweat it. Also, Walmart does offer a newer Full Synthetic HDEO 15w-40 & there is a new oil analysis around here on it. Point is that it's a relatively cheaper cost than brand name synthetics. Keep that SUV going..They are starting to thin out these days!

 

[Lawnfella]

Mine gets about 2k a year put on it. I change it about every 3 years

 

[Hohn]

Truly shocked. I expect tons of contrary perspectives. Thanks.

Nah, your OCI is fine. But I’d consider upgrading the oil to something a bit more tolerant of the shear that HEUI systems are (in)famous for.

 

[Chris142]

I would be more concerned about the coolant