I bought a new compact utility tractor in November and wanted to make sure I bought some good quality oil for my first scheduled service. I did a lot of research and learned a lot about oils and filters, not just for my tractor but also for my vehicles and small gasoline powered equipment (tiller, lawn mower...).
I have always changed my oil (or paid someone to change it for me) using the severe duty schedule. I have used semi-synthetic 5w-30 oil (Motorcraft or Castrol) in my 2005 Ford Focus since new and conventional oil (Castrol GTX) in my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500.
I recently moved from MO to AL and live closer to work. In MO I was probably driving my Focus about 15-20k per year and expect to drive about 7-9k per year here in AL. My Ram has averaged about 10k per year since new. Yesterday (after going to 3 different WalMart stores) I purchased a couple gallons of Mobile 1 5w-30 Extended Performance. There was a sign in each store (and on the Mobile 1 web site) that said due to Huricane Ike they were having problems producing enough oil and supplies were low.
Now finally for my question, sorry if this has been covered before (I searched the archives and did not see this topic talked about). Why do oil companies tell you to change the oil at a certain time and/or mileage interval rather than just base the oil change interval on use (mileage or hours)? I understand they want you to buy more oil, but does the oil really need to be replaced at a certain time interval? I have seen many people state they change their oil at 12 months regardless of how many miles they drive.
I know many of you are doing UOA's and extend your oil change intervals to many thousands of miles over many years. On my Focus I think it would probably cost about the same to change the oil as it would to pay for a UOA, might save a couple $ doing a UOA on the Ram rather than change the oil. I would just like to go to the 15k listed on the bottle, even if it is say 2 years.
I have seen intervals from 3k/90 days to 30k/1 year. I have never changed my oil at 3 months just because (I am not sure I have ever heard of anyone doing this).
Thanks,
Jeff
BTW - If you haven't seen it, Mobile 1 is offering a $10 mail in rebate on 5 guarts of any Mobile 1 oil, limit 2 per household (if you can find it). That means you can buy 5 quarts of Mobile 1 for $16 (at WalMart after rebate) or $18.50 for Extended Performance. Rebate form is on the Mobile 1 web site.
I have always changed my oil (or paid someone to change it for me) using the severe duty schedule. I have used semi-synthetic 5w-30 oil (Motorcraft or Castrol) in my 2005 Ford Focus since new and conventional oil (Castrol GTX) in my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500.
I recently moved from MO to AL and live closer to work. In MO I was probably driving my Focus about 15-20k per year and expect to drive about 7-9k per year here in AL. My Ram has averaged about 10k per year since new. Yesterday (after going to 3 different WalMart stores) I purchased a couple gallons of Mobile 1 5w-30 Extended Performance. There was a sign in each store (and on the Mobile 1 web site) that said due to Huricane Ike they were having problems producing enough oil and supplies were low.
Now finally for my question, sorry if this has been covered before (I searched the archives and did not see this topic talked about). Why do oil companies tell you to change the oil at a certain time and/or mileage interval rather than just base the oil change interval on use (mileage or hours)? I understand they want you to buy more oil, but does the oil really need to be replaced at a certain time interval? I have seen many people state they change their oil at 12 months regardless of how many miles they drive.
I know many of you are doing UOA's and extend your oil change intervals to many thousands of miles over many years. On my Focus I think it would probably cost about the same to change the oil as it would to pay for a UOA, might save a couple $ doing a UOA on the Ram rather than change the oil. I would just like to go to the 15k listed on the bottle, even if it is say 2 years.
I have seen intervals from 3k/90 days to 30k/1 year. I have never changed my oil at 3 months just because (I am not sure I have ever heard of anyone doing this).
Thanks,
Jeff
BTW - If you haven't seen it, Mobile 1 is offering a $10 mail in rebate on 5 guarts of any Mobile 1 oil, limit 2 per household (if you can find it). That means you can buy 5 quarts of Mobile 1 for $16 (at WalMart after rebate) or $18.50 for Extended Performance. Rebate form is on the Mobile 1 web site.