"Follow the owners manual" Really?

[callbay]

Many times on BITOG I hear guys say "Follow the owners manual".

My question is how far are we supposed to go to follow what the manual says about oil and OCI's? How many times have we heard that the manual says one thing for the USA and other things in other contries. The manufatures all of a sudden say only use this weight oil in the current year model when just last year they said to use a thicker oil in the same engine and it is fine to use the new oil in last years engine but last year it would have voided your warrenty.

My point being that I don't believe the manufatures are really telling us what is best for our vehicles. They are telling us what is best for them and what is politically correct at the time.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Eddie]

What vehicle are you referring too, that the manufactures recommendation are different in other countries? I mean real info from owners manuals and not someones guess or opinion. I thought the same things several years ago when I had my Subaru and now a Mazda CX7. I checked with others in Europe and found out their recommendation was exactly the same. Where are you getting your information? I think the owners manual is the good guide to follow for 98% of our needs.

 

[SuperFast]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
What vehicle are you referring too, that the manufactures recommendation are different in other countries? I mean real info from owners manuals and not someones guess or opinion. I thought the same things several years ago when I had my Subaru and now a Mazda CX7. I checked with others in Europe and found out their recommendation was exactly the same. Where are you getting your information? I think the owners manual is the good guide to follow for 98% of our needs.


Other countries dont have a hard-on for thin oil like USA does all of asudden, and they specify 40-weight oils (and heavier) in certain instances.

This is a general statement and not about any particular vehicle or model, but there have been side-by-side phptp evicences of the exact same car having different service manual pictures, charts, and recommendations before.

It has been said to be attributed to lack of speed limits or roads that allow for long, hard-high-speed, all-out (Can you say Holden GTO?) driving and have 40 and 50-weight oil in them.

Even out there, some way 20 and 30-weight oil is ok
and even out there, the guys that use the thick call them loons
and even out ther,e the thick oil people have MORE peace of mind than thin guys.

 

[demarpaint]

I can't speak for other countries but here's what I find amusing about following the owners manual. Most people take the OCI laid out in the owners manual, or the OLM as Gospel. Yet when an owners manual tells us that a transmission shouldn't be serviced, or has a service interval of 120,000 miles for example we freak, and we should! I use the OM as a guide for service intervals, common sense always prevails. Especially when it comes to changing oil or servicing a transmission. Oil, filters, and transmission services are still cheap! JMO


I won't even touch the thick thin debate, that's been beaten to death many, many times!

 

[SuperFast]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I can't speak for other countries but here's what I find amusing about following the owners manual. Most people take the OCI laid out in the owners manual, or the OLM as Gospel. Yet when an owners manual tells us that a transmission shouldn't be serviced, or has a service interval of 120,000 miles for example we freak, and we should! I use the OM as a guide for service intervals, common sense always prevails. Especially when it comes to changing oil or servicing a transmission. Oil, filters, and transmission services are still cheap! JMO


I won't even touch the thick thin debate, that's been beaten to death many, many times!


Mercedes-Mclaren SLR. 5W-50 FACTORY FILL
Ford GT, 5W-50 FACTORY FILL

.. and its in the owners manual.

Good point on transmissions. im sure all the Volvo guys with "Sealed for life" people LOOVE to ollow thei rmanual!

 

[subiedriver]

Even with the current crop of cars that claim 100k trans service intervals, I'd be changing the fluid at 30K, because I don't want to buy a transmission at 100k. I don't see how any transmission fluid can last 100k.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
My point being that I don't believe the manufatures are really telling us what is best for our vehicles. They are telling us what is best for them and what is politically correct at the time.


I have the same opinion.I use this chart from Mobil.de
Their climate is similar to U.S. they have big cities and high speed roads,they seem more concerned with the right oil for the engine.

Check 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT here they recommend 10w30 there its 5w30
But an Honda odyssey here is 5w-20 and there is 5w30.
A Toyota Tercel Euro 1.5 is 5w-40 not 5w30

No 5w-20 is sold in Germany except for some hybrids at the dealer,it is not recommended for any full time gasoline engine.
Even if you agree that 5w-20 is fine for the engine you have to wonder why its not even offered in other parts of the world,its not like they cant make it.
I think its a fair question.




http://ew5.earlweb.com/search.php?site=60&sector=1

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: callbay
Many times on BITOG I hear guys say "Follow the owners manual".

My question is how far are we supposed to go to follow what the manual says about oil and OCI's? How many times have we heard that the manual says one thing for the USA and other things in other contries. The manufatures all of a sudden say only use this weight oil in the current year model when just last year they said to use a thicker oil in the same engine and it is fine to use the new oil in last years engine but last year it would have voided your warrenty.

My point being that I don't believe the manufatures are really telling us what is best for our vehicles. They are telling us what is best for them and what is politically correct at the time.

What are your thoughts?


i think its communist propaganda if you ask me. thats why i run a 5w30 instead of 20. who knows, as the miles stack up i may switch to 10w40 or 20w50 if it ever starts consuming oil

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: subiedriver
Even with the current crop of cars that claim 100k trans service intervals, I'd be changing the fluid at 30K, because I don't want to buy a transmission at 100k. I don't see how any transmission fluid can last 100k.


I agree. Transmission service is one instance where the owners manual is thinking about 'low maintanence' rather than long-lasting durability, IMO.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: electrolover

i think its communist propaganda if you ask me. thats why i run a 5w30 instead of 20.


Electro, you crack me up

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: subiedriver
Even with the current crop of cars that claim 100k trans service intervals, I'd be changing the fluid at 30K, because I don't want to buy a transmission at 100k. I don't see how any transmission fluid can last 100k.


That is exactly the point I was making above, and I also think it applies to engine oil change intervals as well. I have my doubts about oil and filters going as long as some of the OM or OLM suggest. I'm not talking about specified grade but rather the service intervals. Again common sense on the part of the owner should factor in.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: subiedriver
Even with the current crop of cars that claim 100k trans service intervals, I'd be changing the fluid at 30K, because I don't want to buy a transmission at 100k. I don't see how any transmission fluid can last 100k.


Watching people drive around here, I'd tend to agree.

 

[subiedriver]

My Subie owners manual states a 7500 mile OCI for "normal service". Since 90% of my mileage is highway and I use Mobil 1, I've adopted a 7K OCI, the motor will definitely outlast the car.

 

[Beagle2000]

Like anthing else, one should feel confident in over servicing, or doing service before the manual suggests. For those who wish to extend service suggestions as outlined in the OM, feel free and proceed at your own risk. If you are on warranty you are rolling the dice.
Bottom line, do what ever blows your hair back.

 

[pbm]

Not to start bashing any particular manufacturer but many people who followed the owners manual regarding Dexcool were sorry they didn't change it sooner.
The point is that manufacturers have different goals than consumers....

 

[SuperFast]

Originally Posted By: hate2work
Originally Posted By: electrolover

i think its communist propaganda if you ask me. thats why i run a 5w30 instead of 20.


Electro, you crack me up

I think he is on to something.

 

[river_rat]

 

[dave1251]

Threads like this crack me up! I have seen where maintance was not done even close to the service manual like changing the motor oil once every two years. Transmission not serviced and the car lasted 200,000 miles. I have also seen where people were way too conservative with their maintance and blew the transmission at 100,000 miles. If you follow your service manual more often than not your car will serve you well until you grow tired of it and buy another one.

 

[NHHEMI]

A lot of/most of the "follow your manual" comments are made in referrence to vehicles under warranty. The manual comes into play a lot as well when people come on and ask what oil am I supposed to use or what kind of transmission fluid does this car take.

 

[virginoil]

Yeh, maybe, the OEM's are hiring cheap overseas engineers to save money and increase shareholder profits, that whats outsourcing is.

Probably just a bunch of numb skulls writing a manual to warrant the vehicle for 3 years or 100000 km just to fill in time and amuse themselves.

What would they (OEM's) know ?

Seriously, though if unsure use the severe service recommendations you can't go wrong with that surely, by using that approach ?