Here is a little background before I get into my test. I am borderline obsessive compulsive (probably like most of you on this board). I am absolutely fanatical about the maintenance of my vehicles. I have always been this way with oil changes, etc. I also build budgets/forecast for a living and a year or two ago, I decided I was wasting a lot of money by changing my oil so often (every 3 months or 3k). Here is my rational. First, every car my family has ever owned ran well over 100k before we sold it. This includes several cars with carbs that were never tuned with 1970/80 tolerances, engine designs and oil. My point, with fuel injection and the advance in engines along with the advance in oil, is a 3k oil change still necessary. I don’t think it is necessary at all. Why? Two factors: 1. Today’s engines with FI and efficient combustion chambers burn significantly cleaner reducing the contamination of the oil and 2. I will sell the car long/long/long before the engine is remotely worn out. I usually by my cars new and drive them for 100k to 120k. Am I really going to own my car for 250K? No.
So, here is my test. I am still a little biased by using quality oil (Mobile 1) and quality filters (Puralotor One). A true test would be cheap oil and filter, but my obsessive tendencies will not allow me to do it. I am only changing my oil in the following intervals for the following vehicles:
1. 2000 F-150 4x4 with 5.4 – It only has 60k on the odometer. I used to change the oil every 3 months (less than 2k at times) until 2005. In July 2005, I decided to only change the oil twice a year regardless of mileage (November and May). This vehicle is driven short distances most of the time in traffic. I have put 4k on since the last oil change because of two long trips and the oil looks really clean (it actually surprised me) compared to the 5th month the prior 2 times. Below is the oil change chart I put together.
2. 2001 Windstar with 3.8 – It has 80k on the odometer and I change the oil every 7,500k or 6 months. This car is driven both on short commutes and long family trips. I have not noticed any change in how the vehicle runs since starting this at in 2005 (I think about 30k miles). I will add oil change chart when the car arrives back tonight.
3. 2006 Altima 2.5 – I have changed the oil at 4,222 and at 10,819. I will continue to change the oil every 6k until the warranty runs out and will probably go to 7,500 to 10,000. My wife drives about 24k a year – 90% highway.
My bet is that I will see no noticeable difference in oil consumption, engine smoothness, blowing smoke, etc. Then I will unload the cars at 100k to 120k and will see no difference in resale value (you may look for at that stuff, but most people don’t). They will test drive the vehicle and see that it runs smooth and doesn’t smoke. And I will be completely honest about the maintenance of the vehicles. Plus, I will have probably saved a minimum of $500 in oil changes.
What are your thoughts?
Oil change chart for the truck:
2000 F-150 4x4
Date of Change Mileage Mileage Interval Notes
7/23/2000 1,069
8/27/2000 2,625 1,556
11/1/2000 5,107 2,482
2/15/2001 7,714 2,607
6/21/2001 10,520 2,806
11/13/2001 13,230 2,710
4/14/2002 16,419 3,189
7/29/2002 18,538 2,119
8/15/2002 21,634 3,096
2/22/2003 23,347 1,713
4/25/2003 25,254 1,907
8/24/2003 28,609 3,355
12/14/2003 31,093 2,484
2/21/2004 32,328 1,235
5/27/2004 36,142 3,814 Switched to Mobile 1
11/24/2004 39,667 3,525
3/7/2005 42,857 3,190
7/1/2005 47,082 4,225 Switched to twice a yr
11/21/2005 50,779 3,697
5/14/2006 53,966 3,187
So, here is my test. I am still a little biased by using quality oil (Mobile 1) and quality filters (Puralotor One). A true test would be cheap oil and filter, but my obsessive tendencies will not allow me to do it. I am only changing my oil in the following intervals for the following vehicles:
1. 2000 F-150 4x4 with 5.4 – It only has 60k on the odometer. I used to change the oil every 3 months (less than 2k at times) until 2005. In July 2005, I decided to only change the oil twice a year regardless of mileage (November and May). This vehicle is driven short distances most of the time in traffic. I have put 4k on since the last oil change because of two long trips and the oil looks really clean (it actually surprised me) compared to the 5th month the prior 2 times. Below is the oil change chart I put together.
2. 2001 Windstar with 3.8 – It has 80k on the odometer and I change the oil every 7,500k or 6 months. This car is driven both on short commutes and long family trips. I have not noticed any change in how the vehicle runs since starting this at in 2005 (I think about 30k miles). I will add oil change chart when the car arrives back tonight.
3. 2006 Altima 2.5 – I have changed the oil at 4,222 and at 10,819. I will continue to change the oil every 6k until the warranty runs out and will probably go to 7,500 to 10,000. My wife drives about 24k a year – 90% highway.
My bet is that I will see no noticeable difference in oil consumption, engine smoothness, blowing smoke, etc. Then I will unload the cars at 100k to 120k and will see no difference in resale value (you may look for at that stuff, but most people don’t). They will test drive the vehicle and see that it runs smooth and doesn’t smoke. And I will be completely honest about the maintenance of the vehicles. Plus, I will have probably saved a minimum of $500 in oil changes.
What are your thoughts?
Oil change chart for the truck:
2000 F-150 4x4
Date of Change Mileage Mileage Interval Notes
7/23/2000 1,069
8/27/2000 2,625 1,556
11/1/2000 5,107 2,482
2/15/2001 7,714 2,607
6/21/2001 10,520 2,806
11/13/2001 13,230 2,710
4/14/2002 16,419 3,189
7/29/2002 18,538 2,119
8/15/2002 21,634 3,096
2/22/2003 23,347 1,713
4/25/2003 25,254 1,907
8/24/2003 28,609 3,355
12/14/2003 31,093 2,484
2/21/2004 32,328 1,235
5/27/2004 36,142 3,814 Switched to Mobile 1
11/24/2004 39,667 3,525
3/7/2005 42,857 3,190
7/1/2005 47,082 4,225 Switched to twice a yr
11/21/2005 50,779 3,697
5/14/2006 53,966 3,187
