Need to adjust my OCI

[TxHeat]

My wife had been putting mostly highway miles on the Fusion in my sig and, using syn oils, I was changing the oil about every 6 months/6 to 7 thousand miles using syn oils, mostly PP but also some Quaker State Ultimate Durability.

The last year though she's changed jobs and now there's a lot of short tripping. Her work is only a mile and a half from home and some of the other longer trips she used to make, she no longer does. In fact, mileage has dropped to about 500 to 600 per month. I changed the oil April 4th, 2015 with 6 quarts ofQuaker State Ultimate Durability and right now there's 900 miles on it.

I still have 30 quarts, (5 changes), of syn in my stash for it that I got for free or for less than $2.00 per quart so I don't mind using it at a faster rate by changing more often.

Question is, how often should I change it now..... and... should I just go back to conventional when my stash is gone?

 

[Clevy]

Does it have an oil life monitor. If so follow it.

 

[TxHeat]

It doesn't have an OLM.

 

[Clevy]

Ouch.

Alright then the only real way to know for sure is to do a series of used oil analysis' to establish an efficient interval.

If it's direct injection I'd go 3000 on conventional and 5000 on semi syns,7500 on synthetics and test from that point extending the interval where applicable

 

[TxHeat]

Wait, what?

She's doing 500 miles a month in mostly short trips and you're suggesting I let it run for fifteen months and then do a used oil analysis?

I'm not sure you read through my original post, but thanks for responding.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I would do 1 year OCI with synthetic oil or 6 months with convention. Once in a while use the Fusion for longer trip instead of F150.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Ditto on the yearly OCI. A blend could maybe do ok too.

 

[901Memphis]

One year shouldn't be a problem. I bet the UOA would indicate you could go further.

 

[TxHeat]

Ok, so now it's 2 against one! Maybe that should tell me something, but I'm a hard learner.

So, both of you are telling me that I should change it LESS often now that her miles have dropped, even though those miles are mostly short trips?

 

[Jetronic]

I would keep doind Biannual changes. 1.5 miles per trip is not a lot, but then I imagine it's not very cold in houston so not much cold start enrichment...

do 1 oil change after 6 months, collect a used oil sample and get it checked for TBN and fuel dilution.

 

[Burt]

Originally Posted By: Clevy

Alright then the only real way to know for sure is to do a series of used oil analysis' to establish an efficient interval.


And what pray tell, should he look at to determine the limits of an efficient interval?

 

[TxHeat]

I should be embarrassed not taking Clevy's word for it in the first place.

Ok, I AM embarrassed, sorry Clevy.

It's rough to get old and watch your brain harden!

I'm going to let this change go for 6 months, just like I've been doing and then at least consider a used oil analysis before I change it.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

[SrDriver]

I make a lot of short trips of just over a mile from the house to the local coffee works and being retired now for several years really don't travel all that much anymore so just change the oil and filter every 6 months. Both my wife and I have DI engines in our vehicles and try to get a few road miles once a week on them.

Have read that DI engines don't like a lot of short trips all the time.

 

[901Memphis]

He should have a 3.0 duratech, don't think it's direct injection

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Burt
Originally Posted By: Clevy

Alright then the only real way to know for sure is to do a series of used oil analysis' to establish an efficient interval.


And what pray tell, should he look at to determine the limits of an efficient interval?




Well since there's no oil life monitor a used oil analysis would be required to establish an efficient interval.
Efficient meaning the oil isn't being drained while still serviceable.
Since its not direct injection then fuel dillution won't be a huge issue so a short 3000 mile interval won't be necessary so I'd start with 5000 miles then monitor from there if using less expensive conventional oils however I would keep a close eye on it as miles accumulate.
Considering its a short tripper I'd go up a grade to allow for this fuel dillution which will help lengthen the interval saving time,money and resources.
I'd also see if we have any used oil analysis from this particular engine to see how hard it is on oil and compare the duty cycles so one can fine tune the interval as to not waste
But that's just me. I use top shelf dyna I get on sale and run 10000 mile intervals. Once winter hits miles become less important and I track fuel burned and hours run.
Once a baseline is established a person can extend or shorten based on specifics.

 

[Ethan1]

Ford says to change this oil every 7,500 miles under normal conditions. She was driving under ideal (highway) conditions, AND you were using synthetic oil, but you were changing it way more often than Ford said. Really, that's just costing you money and wasting natural resources IMO.

Now that she's doing city driving, which is still entirely "normal" and not a problem for this non-DI motor, just stick to what Ford says. Change it every 7,500 and keep using synthetic for great protection. Best for the car, best for your wallet, best for the environment... sheeeeeeit. Win/win/win

 

[TxHeat]

Thanks again for all the feedback.

I was just convinced that because of all the short trips I needed to change oil more often. I was not taking into consideration the greatly reduced mileage.

What a treasure this forum is!

 

[53' Stude]

You could try some MC synblend or Pennzoil "GOLD" blend and go 5k and sample and UOA and see if you could go farther. My thoughts sir

 

[donnyj08]

id run it 5k under short trip usage. For a mix id run 7.5k and for mostly highway up to 10k with the oils you are using.

 

[BrianC]

This is a perfect example where an hour meter would be handy.
Take a look at your Trip odometer, you might have two (2).

If it has an elapsed time feature you are good. Just convert to hours rather than miles. If your normal service mileage from the OEM is 7500 miles, that would equate to 150 hours, based on 50 MPH as a highway average/normal service. Run your current fill to 150 hrs, do a used oil analysis and see where you are. add or subtract hrs from there.

Every combustion engine's OCI on the planet is calculated based on Hours of running time EXCEPT cars & light trucks. Makes no sense to me. I run a consistent Avg of 34 to 36 MPH, which equates to 5100 to 5400 miles at 150 hrs on the elapsed time on trip B So I change it my first day off after I hit 150 hours. I don't care what the mileage is nor the calender time as long as does not exceed 1 year or 7500 miles.