Today what is the general recomendation? I have heard every 6 months or 3000 miles. I know there are a lot of factors that go into changing your oil. So how about once a year or 3000 miles? Now lets get even more complicated and talk about light duty diesels that have a 15 quart sump. I know the best thing to do is to get your oil anaylized but I'm just talking "general." The reason I ask is because I work at a Diesel repair shop and have talked about this with fellow employees when we put a oil change sticker on the windshield. So the question here is do we put mileage, time, or both?
Oil Change Interval "OCI" Mileage or Time?
- Thread starter John With Beastly 302
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mainstream business to make money will try to convince you that you must change oil every three months or 3000 miles...this is how they make money...
sometime if ur car is under warranty and if this is what required to meet the warranty's coverage than one has to follow it...
i have personally gone 6K miles on our modern regular conventional oils...and heard that many people did with out any problems...
i would say to be safe and just being overly general in nature....6 months or 6000 miles for dino and 1 year or 12K miles on Synthetic for most cars will be just fine..specially those which are not driven a lot!
assuming good quality/reputable brand Spark Plugs, Air and Oil filter is being used....sufficient coolant and engine oil in the car at all times!
sometime if ur car is under warranty and if this is what required to meet the warranty's coverage than one has to follow it...
i have personally gone 6K miles on our modern regular conventional oils...and heard that many people did with out any problems...
i would say to be safe and just being overly general in nature....6 months or 6000 miles for dino and 1 year or 12K miles on Synthetic for most cars will be just fine..specially those which are not driven a lot!
assuming good quality/reputable brand Spark Plugs, Air and Oil filter is being used....sufficient coolant and engine oil in the car at all times!
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I have heard every 6 months or 3000 miles
Just a gimmick to make money for the oil company and for the shop.
There is nothing wrong with the manufacturer's oil change spec. The only time I'd shorten it is if I was making very short trips where the engine and the oil have no chance to get fully warm, then I'd go half the recommended interval. Nothing wrong with two years on the oil if it is periodically run fully warmed. I've run industrial diesels for years with the same oil and good lab reports.
I have heard every 6 months or 3000 miles
Just a gimmick to make money for the oil company and for the shop.
There is nothing wrong with the manufacturer's oil change spec. The only time I'd shorten it is if I was making very short trips where the engine and the oil have no chance to get fully warm, then I'd go half the recommended interval. Nothing wrong with two years on the oil if it is periodically run fully warmed. I've run industrial diesels for years with the same oil and good lab reports.
The secret is to get the oil hot enough to get rid of any condensation or combustion-caused moisture buildup (allegedly not a big problem in a diesel)-which can be a challenge in a 15 quart PSD in wintertime. My rule of thumb is to try to change it at least once a year (if mileage permits), in late spring, before the hot weather starts.
I have a Ford Powerstroke, and the manual with the truck says to change the oil every 5000 miles. The manual that comes with an International truck that has a t444e engine ( basically the same thing ) recommends every 10,000 miles. The t444e does have a slightly larger oil capacity over the Powerstroke ( 2 or 3 quarts? )but I think it largely comes from who they are marketing to and whether they are buying the vehicle as a work tool and don't want to have to worry about frequent oil changes. I do 10,000 mile change intervals on mine, using conventional 15w40 oil, year round, with good oil analysis results.
Have done year-plus intervals with light truck and farm tractor diesels and had good UOA results. Am doing a two year-plus interval now on three diesels as a test.
Overall, I am less concerned with time than miles. The caveat is that when the engine is run, it's RUN... sufficiently long and hard to bake out any accumulated moisture. The time equation could/should change on a short-hop machine.
Just like any OCI choice, the time element choice should be made with forethought, according to the prevailing conditions and by someone with the experience to make the correct one (or be willing to accept the consequences for an experiment).
I did not start down this road on my own; rather it was marked by many others whose experiences you can find with a little research. Initially, I was influenced by the latest agricultural equipment recommendations, some of which are two or three years (large sump capacities) and 3-500 hours. I won't push my older equipment that many hours for various reasons, but the time element got me to thinking and researching. I have come to the conclusion that for most people, time is less an issue than miles.In my situation of low mile/hours per year, a long time interval works very well. Two year intervals will save significant dollars with no downside. I am going to sample via the dipstick and may run THREE years depending on what the UOA says.
Overall, I am less concerned with time than miles. The caveat is that when the engine is run, it's RUN... sufficiently long and hard to bake out any accumulated moisture. The time equation could/should change on a short-hop machine.
Just like any OCI choice, the time element choice should be made with forethought, according to the prevailing conditions and by someone with the experience to make the correct one (or be willing to accept the consequences for an experiment).
I did not start down this road on my own; rather it was marked by many others whose experiences you can find with a little research. Initially, I was influenced by the latest agricultural equipment recommendations, some of which are two or three years (large sump capacities) and 3-500 hours. I won't push my older equipment that many hours for various reasons, but the time element got me to thinking and researching. I have come to the conclusion that for most people, time is less an issue than miles.In my situation of low mile/hours per year, a long time interval works very well. Two year intervals will save significant dollars with no downside. I am going to sample via the dipstick and may run THREE years depending on what the UOA says.
dnewton3
Staff member
Time means little to lubes; they have no idea how old they are, in general. It is true that really old lubes can have the additive package fall out of suspension; I would not use those. Five years seems to be a fairly agreeable time limit.
There is (somehwere on this site), a used oil analysis of a Toyota Tundra with 10k miles on the lube, after being in service with a PAO product for 4 years in the sump. All came back fine regarding wear. That's a big poke in the eye of the "3 month/3k mile" mythological beast!
As far as lubes in service, it is the severity factor that makes all the difference in the world:
environmental issues like OATs
operating temps
operating duration
base oil and complimentary additive packages
operational patterns (severity of equipment use)
etc.
In general, this is why used oil analysis rule. They give you a direct view of lubricant health, and an indirect view of equipment health. Time/mileage limits are used in lieu of used oil analysis. But a used oil analysis can be expensive, especially with TBN, depending upon service used. It's often just cheaper to OCI based upon a known, proven, safe limit, as the cost of refilling the sump can be less than the cost of a used oil analysis. A Blackstone used oil analysis with TBN is $32.50, plus the cost of shipping. But I can OCI my car or van every 5k miles for about $10, because we can get a $3 Purolator filter, and I just got some Mobil DC5k oil on sale with rebate for $1.59/qrt! I can even OCI my Dmax truck for less than $30 ($7 NG filter from our sponsor, Fleet Filter, and just scored some Delvac for $12.99, BOGOF!).
It can be cheaper to just change oil, rather than test it, in smaller sump systems. However, that does not mean the oil is used up and worn out; it's just a fiscal decision, rather than a analytical one.
There is (somehwere on this site), a used oil analysis of a Toyota Tundra with 10k miles on the lube, after being in service with a PAO product for 4 years in the sump. All came back fine regarding wear. That's a big poke in the eye of the "3 month/3k mile" mythological beast!
As far as lubes in service, it is the severity factor that makes all the difference in the world:
environmental issues like OATs
operating temps
operating duration
base oil and complimentary additive packages
operational patterns (severity of equipment use)
etc.
In general, this is why used oil analysis rule. They give you a direct view of lubricant health, and an indirect view of equipment health. Time/mileage limits are used in lieu of used oil analysis. But a used oil analysis can be expensive, especially with TBN, depending upon service used. It's often just cheaper to OCI based upon a known, proven, safe limit, as the cost of refilling the sump can be less than the cost of a used oil analysis. A Blackstone used oil analysis with TBN is $32.50, plus the cost of shipping. But I can OCI my car or van every 5k miles for about $10, because we can get a $3 Purolator filter, and I just got some Mobil DC5k oil on sale with rebate for $1.59/qrt! I can even OCI my Dmax truck for less than $30 ($7 NG filter from our sponsor, Fleet Filter, and just scored some Delvac for $12.99, BOGOF!).
It can be cheaper to just change oil, rather than test it, in smaller sump systems. However, that does not mean the oil is used up and worn out; it's just a fiscal decision, rather than a analytical one.
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Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Time means little to lubes; they have no idea how old they are, in general. It is true that really old lubes can have the additive package fall out of suspension; I would not use those. Five years seems to be a fairly agreeable time limit.
There is (somehwere on this site), a used oil analysis of a Toyota Tundra with 10k miles on the lube, after being in service with a PAO product for 4 years in the sump. All came back fine regarding wear. That's a big poke in the eye of the "3 month/3k mile" mythological beast!
As far as lubes in service, it is the severity factor that makes all the difference in the world:
environmental issues like OATs
operating temps
operating duration
base oil and complimentary additive packages
operational patterns (severity of equipment use)
etc.
In general, this is why used oil analysis rule. They give you a direct view of lubricant health, and an indirect view of equipment health. Time/mileage limits are used in lieu of used oil analysis. But a used oil analysis can be expensive, especially with TBN, depending upon service used. It's often just cheaper to OCI based upon a known, proven, safe limit, as the cost of refilling the sump can be less than the cost of a used oil analysis. A Blackstone used oil analysis with TBN is $32.50, plus the cost of shipping. But I can OCI my car or van every 5k miles for about $10, because we can get a $3 Purolator filter, and I just got some Mobil DC5k oil on sale with rebate for $1.59/qrt! I can even OCI my Dmax truck for less than $30 ($7 NG filter from our sponsor, Fleet Filter, and just scored some Delvac for $12.99, BOGOF!).
It can be cheaper to just change oil, rather than test it, in smaller sump systems. However, that does not mean the oil is used up and worn out; it's just a fiscal decision, rather than a analytical one.
That's why I would never worry about used oil analysis in my 6.2s-I still have 50+ qts. of the SAE 30 Delo 400 CH-4 that AZ closed out a couple years ago for 99 cents (or less) a GALLON, combine that w/the red grip Advance AP oil filters that I scored for $1.49 each-that's a diesel oil change for UNDER $4.00 in parts!! The one exception to extending OCIs is the HEUI Ford Powerstrokes-they shear oil too much to run beyond the factory recommendation.
Time means little to lubes; they have no idea how old they are, in general. It is true that really old lubes can have the additive package fall out of suspension; I would not use those. Five years seems to be a fairly agreeable time limit.
There is (somehwere on this site), a used oil analysis of a Toyota Tundra with 10k miles on the lube, after being in service with a PAO product for 4 years in the sump. All came back fine regarding wear. That's a big poke in the eye of the "3 month/3k mile" mythological beast!
As far as lubes in service, it is the severity factor that makes all the difference in the world:
environmental issues like OATs
operating temps
operating duration
base oil and complimentary additive packages
operational patterns (severity of equipment use)
etc.
In general, this is why used oil analysis rule. They give you a direct view of lubricant health, and an indirect view of equipment health. Time/mileage limits are used in lieu of used oil analysis. But a used oil analysis can be expensive, especially with TBN, depending upon service used. It's often just cheaper to OCI based upon a known, proven, safe limit, as the cost of refilling the sump can be less than the cost of a used oil analysis. A Blackstone used oil analysis with TBN is $32.50, plus the cost of shipping. But I can OCI my car or van every 5k miles for about $10, because we can get a $3 Purolator filter, and I just got some Mobil DC5k oil on sale with rebate for $1.59/qrt! I can even OCI my Dmax truck for less than $30 ($7 NG filter from our sponsor, Fleet Filter, and just scored some Delvac for $12.99, BOGOF!).
It can be cheaper to just change oil, rather than test it, in smaller sump systems. However, that does not mean the oil is used up and worn out; it's just a fiscal decision, rather than a analytical one.
That's why I would never worry about used oil analysis in my 6.2s-I still have 50+ qts. of the SAE 30 Delo 400 CH-4 that AZ closed out a couple years ago for 99 cents (or less) a GALLON, combine that w/the red grip Advance AP oil filters that I scored for $1.49 each-that's a diesel oil change for UNDER $4.00 in parts!! The one exception to extending OCIs is the HEUI Ford Powerstrokes-they shear oil too much to run beyond the factory recommendation.
And with regard to the Ford Powerstrokes, this is the main reason I posted this. I have a 05 F-350 with the 6.0 diesel and ford says under "Normal service to change the oil every 7,500 miles. "Severe Service" they say to change the oil every 5,000 Miles. They do not give you a month limit.I use bulk Mobil Delvac 1300S and Donaldson Filters. So my question is this, should I go every 3,000 or if the one year mark comes up before the 3,000 mile mark, should I just change the oil then?
Originally Posted By: John With Beastly 302
And with regard to the Ford Powerstrokes, this is the main reason I posted this. I have a 05 F-350 with the 6.0 diesel and ford says under "Normal service to change the oil every 7,500 miles. "Severe Service" they say to change the oil every 5,000 Miles. They do not give you a month limit.I use bulk Mobil Delvac 1300S and Donaldson Filters. So my question is this, should I go every 3,000 or if the one year mark comes up before the 3,000 mile mark, should I just change the oil then?
Wow-less than 3K a YEAR? That's even less than I drive my Dodge! IMHO, with the propensity of the 6.0 to shear oil, change it right as the hot weather arrives (I usually do it right before Memorial Day/late May, right before camping/vacation season). Do you know that AAP has a big-time Delvac 1300 sale-BOGO free, plus there's a Mobil rebate too? I scored 4 gallons for like $4 each after rebate!
And with regard to the Ford Powerstrokes, this is the main reason I posted this. I have a 05 F-350 with the 6.0 diesel and ford says under "Normal service to change the oil every 7,500 miles. "Severe Service" they say to change the oil every 5,000 Miles. They do not give you a month limit.I use bulk Mobil Delvac 1300S and Donaldson Filters. So my question is this, should I go every 3,000 or if the one year mark comes up before the 3,000 mile mark, should I just change the oil then?
Wow-less than 3K a YEAR? That's even less than I drive my Dodge! IMHO, with the propensity of the 6.0 to shear oil, change it right as the hot weather arrives (I usually do it right before Memorial Day/late May, right before camping/vacation season). Do you know that AAP has a big-time Delvac 1300 sale-BOGO free, plus there's a Mobil rebate too? I scored 4 gallons for like $4 each after rebate!
Well the normal mileage I put on it a year is around 10,000 miles or less I just put down 3,000 as a scenario. I was almost thinking every 6 months but that is most likely overkill. Why do the 6.0's shear the oil so bad? Does it have something to do with the fact the oil is also as a hydraulic fluid?
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