Old member who had to re-account here.
I have a question for the BITOG experts: I began a new career which wildly affects my commute and commuter vehicle. I was traveling ~150 miles per day or more and had a reasonable commuter car for that job. I now travel 1.5 miles each way to a job in town, and use my truck, a 2014 F250 w/ 6.2L gas engine with 34k miles (yes, super low), to go to work and back. I typically travel to the gym in the morning as well, so picture multiple cold starts and short trips per day.
The short trips get punctuated with longer highway trips on the weekends once in while. IE went on a 6hr trip (both ways) this weekend.
Been using an Amsoil 5w-30 (LS) or 0W-30 (MS) European spec oil (my wife's car takes this, so I stock for both). Oil seems good, no noticeable usage but gets dark and thick fast. The current fill is MS and has 2500 miles on it. Its as dark as molasses and seems noticeably thicker than new. Also concerning is the noticeable gas smell of the oil when checking. The trucks history was as a plow truck prior to my buying it last March, with only 24k miles on it. While in great shape in general, the truck has some significant idle hours (400 out of 1200hrs). Been using K&N silver series (black can) or Wix filters.
Off the top of my head I don't remember the number of months between changes, but it feels like about 6 month OCIs.
So... my question for BITOG, with so many cold starts, should I look at changing the oil by time vs mileage? I feel like that may be more appropriate. Maybe do a seasonal change with a less pricey oil? Maybe try Valvoline R&P? Seems like its as popular as the old Castrol 0w-30 green gummy-bear oil of years past!
I have a question for the BITOG experts: I began a new career which wildly affects my commute and commuter vehicle. I was traveling ~150 miles per day or more and had a reasonable commuter car for that job. I now travel 1.5 miles each way to a job in town, and use my truck, a 2014 F250 w/ 6.2L gas engine with 34k miles (yes, super low), to go to work and back. I typically travel to the gym in the morning as well, so picture multiple cold starts and short trips per day.
The short trips get punctuated with longer highway trips on the weekends once in while. IE went on a 6hr trip (both ways) this weekend.
Been using an Amsoil 5w-30 (LS) or 0W-30 (MS) European spec oil (my wife's car takes this, so I stock for both). Oil seems good, no noticeable usage but gets dark and thick fast. The current fill is MS and has 2500 miles on it. Its as dark as molasses and seems noticeably thicker than new. Also concerning is the noticeable gas smell of the oil when checking. The trucks history was as a plow truck prior to my buying it last March, with only 24k miles on it. While in great shape in general, the truck has some significant idle hours (400 out of 1200hrs). Been using K&N silver series (black can) or Wix filters.
Off the top of my head I don't remember the number of months between changes, but it feels like about 6 month OCIs.
So... my question for BITOG, with so many cold starts, should I look at changing the oil by time vs mileage? I feel like that may be more appropriate. Maybe do a seasonal change with a less pricey oil? Maybe try Valvoline R&P? Seems like its as popular as the old Castrol 0w-30 green gummy-bear oil of years past!