I would wager the engine is fine. Because the oil level is rarely checked if there was a problem and it consumed oil it would fail in short order.
Oil for Law Enforcement vehicles
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Originally Posted by RayCJ
Now for another question... At the end of their service use, does anyone know what the engine internals look like? Are the engines showing typical wear given their mileage?
What makes you think they are driven so much 'harder' than other cars ? As others have pointed out, they probably spend more time idling than anything. I'll bet the main wear items on them are the brakes and the driver's seat, not the engine.
Now for another question... At the end of their service use, does anyone know what the engine internals look like? Are the engines showing typical wear given their mileage?
What makes you think they are driven so much 'harder' than other cars ? As others have pointed out, they probably spend more time idling than anything. I'll bet the main wear items on them are the brakes and the driver's seat, not the engine.
I suspect that what the police or taxi fleets use and how they use it would prove that we tend to overthink the whole oil change thing.
When I worked for a local county on ambulance, they used bulk oil ( had seen Valvoline and Mobil drums in the shop) in recommended weight in all the vehicles.
Police vehicles by hours, all others by time/mileage.
When I worked for a local city on the ambulance, it was the same.
Police vehicles by hours, all others by time/mileage.
When I worked for a local city on the ambulance, it was the same.
Originally Posted by RayCJ
Originally Posted by Chris142
Originally Posted by RayCJ
I wonder what kind of mileage they rack-up on those things. I bet it's off the charts.
Ray
Most counties and cities replace the units often. 100k on a cop car is rare.
Thanks Chris142.... I had a feeling those vehicles had crazy mileage like taxi cabs but it makes sense they ditch them after 100k.
Now for another question... At the end of their service use, does anyone know what the engine internals look like? Are the engines showing typical wear given their mileage?
Ray
Depends on the agency and the vehicle. I still see quite a few Crown Vic Police Interceptors in service with law enforcement agencies. They can't get any more and I'm thinking many might even have over 200k miles on them by now. However, that's a case where they know they can't really be replaced with anything equivalent that's not likely to be just as old.
Originally Posted by Chris142
Originally Posted by RayCJ
I wonder what kind of mileage they rack-up on those things. I bet it's off the charts.
Ray
Most counties and cities replace the units often. 100k on a cop car is rare.
Thanks Chris142.... I had a feeling those vehicles had crazy mileage like taxi cabs but it makes sense they ditch them after 100k.
Now for another question... At the end of their service use, does anyone know what the engine internals look like? Are the engines showing typical wear given their mileage?
Ray
Depends on the agency and the vehicle. I still see quite a few Crown Vic Police Interceptors in service with law enforcement agencies. They can't get any more and I'm thinking many might even have over 200k miles on them by now. However, that's a case where they know they can't really be replaced with anything equivalent that's not likely to be just as old.
Originally Posted by PimTac
Bigger cities will have their fleet serviced in house with a contract oil. Smaller towns might go to the local quickie lube.
I don't think there's any one answer as you note. There was a nearby Subaru/Ford dealer (since dropped Ford), and I would see Ford police vehicles being serviced there.
Bigger cities will have their fleet serviced in house with a contract oil. Smaller towns might go to the local quickie lube.
I don't think there's any one answer as you note. There was a nearby Subaru/Ford dealer (since dropped Ford), and I would see Ford police vehicles being serviced there.
My son is a PO in a small town. Ford and Dodge go back to the dealer for everything. I rode with him and he has 3 driving styles. Idling 20%, foot to floor 20% and cruising around like grandpa 60%.
At least in my state, most departments replace their vehicles so often (like 5 years or fewer) that what kind of oil they use doesn't tell you anything as I think it's common knowledge that any oil that meets spec will keep a car running during your ownership if you get rid of them at low miles. In fact, departments benefit from using cheap oil since cheap oil saves them money but engine longevity doesn't save them money since they won't own the vehicles when that matters.
As of 2011, at least 20 cities in my state lease their police cars because they replace them so much that leasing cost about the same as owning: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/lo...677-d885-5ed3-9c11-03c492b87ec9.amp.html
And this city says leasing for just two years is cheaper than owning and replacing as frequently as they would:
http://www.cottonwoodheightsjournal.com/2018/08/23/179005/why-does-chpd-always-have-new-cars-
As of 2011, at least 20 cities in my state lease their police cars because they replace them so much that leasing cost about the same as owning: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/lo...677-d885-5ed3-9c11-03c492b87ec9.amp.html
And this city says leasing for just two years is cheaper than owning and replacing as frequently as they would:
http://www.cottonwoodheightsjournal.com/2018/08/23/179005/why-does-chpd-always-have-new-cars-
Originally Posted by Themiker
At least in my state, most departments replace their vehicles so often (like 5 years or fewer) that what kind of oil they use doesn't tell you anything as I think it's common knowledge that any oil that meets spec will keep a car running during your ownership if you get rid of them at low miles. In fact, departments benefit from using cheap oil since cheap oil saves them money but engine longevity doesn't save them money since they won't own the vehicles when that matters.
As of 2011, at least 20 cities in my state lease their police cars because they replace them so much that leasing cost about the same as owning: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/lo...677-d885-5ed3-9c11-03c492b87ec9.amp.html
And this city says leasing for just two years is cheaper than owning and replacing as frequently as they would:
http://www.cottonwoodheightsjournal.com/2018/08/23/179005/why-does-chpd-always-have-new-cars-
Your statement is flawed the mileage is low but 600-700 hours per 10K miles is not low useage and is harder on the engine then driving.
At least in my state, most departments replace their vehicles so often (like 5 years or fewer) that what kind of oil they use doesn't tell you anything as I think it's common knowledge that any oil that meets spec will keep a car running during your ownership if you get rid of them at low miles. In fact, departments benefit from using cheap oil since cheap oil saves them money but engine longevity doesn't save them money since they won't own the vehicles when that matters.
As of 2011, at least 20 cities in my state lease their police cars because they replace them so much that leasing cost about the same as owning: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/lo...677-d885-5ed3-9c11-03c492b87ec9.amp.html
And this city says leasing for just two years is cheaper than owning and replacing as frequently as they would:
http://www.cottonwoodheightsjournal.com/2018/08/23/179005/why-does-chpd-always-have-new-cars-
Your statement is flawed the mileage is low but 600-700 hours per 10K miles is not low useage and is harder on the engine then driving.
Not an official p71, but here you go...1 million miles, 1 owner.
MC syn blend and looks like a standard 820s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkTiD6R_YAI
MC syn blend and looks like a standard 820s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkTiD6R_YAI
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I recently spoke with the shop manager and our department vehicles get bulk oil that meets spec (usually a syn blend) and regular shop filters (aka "jobbers"). Service interval is 7500 miles across the board unless the primary user encounters an "unusual circumstance" and also reports it LOL.
Nearly all vehicles are retired around 120k miles... a few will go 130k before going to auction but not many. Some vehicles are retired before 120k if they have recurring and/or severe issues.
Nearly all vehicles are retired around 120k miles... a few will go 130k before going to auction but not many. Some vehicles are retired before 120k if they have recurring and/or severe issues.
My feeling is that it's not the type or viscosity of the oil you use but how often you change it is what determines the engine longevity. Once the oil ages, corrosion on the rings and bearings accelerates, which greatly increases the wear on these critical parts. I think I partly owe my 300,000-mile engine running like new to the very short OCIs I did in the past, never exceeding 3000 miles with conventional oil.
Unfortunately, manufacturers have been pushing the OCIs to the limits and beyond because of environmental concerns, even though oil is recycled.
If you will exceed 5000 - 7500 miles, use the best synthetic oil you can find, with plenty of PAO or, if not, GTL.
Unfortunately, manufacturers have been pushing the OCIs to the limits and beyond because of environmental concerns, even though oil is recycled.
If you will exceed 5000 - 7500 miles, use the best synthetic oil you can find, with plenty of PAO or, if not, GTL.
Originally Posted by dave1251
Originally Posted by SilverFusion2010
For the Ford ecoboost powered vehicles it's going to be SN+ 5w-30 at whatever the severe service interval is... at least that's what they SHOULD be doing
Around here it's bulk 5W30 SN+ lowest bidder. 5K OCI.
I work for a highway patrol, and this is our protocol as well, and it is almost always conventional. Wix filters are low bid for us on contract and what are used.
However, all agency vehicles not in the vicinity of our fleet garage around the state go to local oil change places like jiffy lube, or local garages. We are extremely watchful of OCI's being met and, in my 28 years with the agency, I know of no oil related engine issues at all, however we have had instances where the quick change places have forgotten to fill, left the filter or drain plug off, etc.
Our patrol car program resells our patrol cars to outside agencies at 49,500 miles. That money is put back into the car program rotation so that we can keep our folks in newer units and have most repairs taken care under warranty. It has worked well for us since 1995 or so.
Originally Posted by SilverFusion2010
For the Ford ecoboost powered vehicles it's going to be SN+ 5w-30 at whatever the severe service interval is... at least that's what they SHOULD be doing
Around here it's bulk 5W30 SN+ lowest bidder. 5K OCI.
I work for a highway patrol, and this is our protocol as well, and it is almost always conventional. Wix filters are low bid for us on contract and what are used.
However, all agency vehicles not in the vicinity of our fleet garage around the state go to local oil change places like jiffy lube, or local garages. We are extremely watchful of OCI's being met and, in my 28 years with the agency, I know of no oil related engine issues at all, however we have had instances where the quick change places have forgotten to fill, left the filter or drain plug off, etc.
Our patrol car program resells our patrol cars to outside agencies at 49,500 miles. That money is put back into the car program rotation so that we can keep our folks in newer units and have most repairs taken care under warranty. It has worked well for us since 1995 or so.
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I work in a Chrysler dealership in a small city. We service a LOT of OPP cars that are Chrysler vehicles (Chargers).
The larger city I came from (Ottawa), they serviced their stuff in-house AFAIK, and I heard from more than one source they used SAFETY-KLEEN re-refined oils in the correct grade.
The larger city I came from (Ottawa), they serviced their stuff in-house AFAIK, and I heard from more than one source they used SAFETY-KLEEN re-refined oils in the correct grade.
So to summarize, cop cars get "average, acceptable maintenance practices" performed.
And still last a good long time.
We are actually fighting lean codes and oil contamination on the MAF sensors on the Explorer EcoBoost cars. (They are under warranty) The local Ford dealership blamed our fuel, citing high ethanol content or E85. They did not realize I own a 100ml graduated cylinder and the knowledge to test for ethanol content. Made some Ford service advisors and techs look pretty stupid.
*inserts thumbs into suspenders and puffs chest out*
And still last a good long time.
We are actually fighting lean codes and oil contamination on the MAF sensors on the Explorer EcoBoost cars. (They are under warranty) The local Ford dealership blamed our fuel, citing high ethanol content or E85. They did not realize I own a 100ml graduated cylinder and the knowledge to test for ethanol content. Made some Ford service advisors and techs look pretty stupid.
*inserts thumbs into suspenders and puffs chest out*
Been checking police auctions for YEARS and most common/ average is 5000 OCI's. A few $$$ dept's listed using "Mobil 1 since new", Now those are the cars you want lol
Dave
Dave
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