Service interval for engine oil, etc - Page 2

LiftedAWDAstro · 03-29-2013, 07:22 AM

I use the OLM on the wife's Nitro. I feel it is accurate enough to go by. In the winter, it will tell me to change the oil around 5,000 miles. She drives about 20 miles one way to work. This past winter she has been laid off so the Nitro only has been driven on longer trips due to the snowshoe racing my son and I do. That said, we are approaching 6,000 miles and the light has not come on. No sense wasting money changing oil when it's not needed. The Nitro has the lifetime warranty as well so I figure Dodge knew what they were doing! In my Ram 2500, I change the oil in the fall. I only put about 3,500 - 4,000 miles on it. It does use 1 qt every 1,500 miles so it gets a little fresh oil every once in a while. I also drive a Chevy Astro and the manual says 3,000 miles so that gets done about that. It has 145k so I am not to exact on the oil change.

Recondite · 03-29-2013, 02:24 PM

Important for this thread not to confuse gasser's with diesels. Two completely different oil change regimens and oil for that matter. Diesels have significantly longer times between changes. Generally anywhere between 7500 to 15000 miles, and yes, that is towing.......

edatlanta · 03-30-2013, 03:18 AM

My diesel system tells me the % of oil life remaining and based on my mileage it would indicate time to change the oil at 12,000-15,000 miles. I just can't do that. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles and feel good about it. Oil and a filter is much cheaper than a new engine.

I do the exact same thing with my fuel filter. The system usually says filter life remaining is in the 40-50% range when I change it every 10,000 miles. Again, the price of a filter isn't a big deal for me.

tinlizzie23 · 03-30-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Tinlizzie23, you are a Ford guy through and through.

Jason, forgot to mention the other 2 Fords in our family - daughter and son-in-law live with us, along with a Ford Windstar and Focus. They also receive regular 3,000 mile oil changes. We raised our daughter well, as you can see.

dmax_83 · 03-30-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recondite

Important for this thread not to confuse gasser's with diesels. Two completely different oil change regimens and oil for that matter. Diesels have significantly longer times between changes. Generally anywhere between 7500 to 15000 miles, and yes, that is towing.......

Good point, I forgot to mention in my first post that my trucks a diesel.

Recondite · 03-30-2013, 05:42 PM

Dmax, how do you like that Mobil Delvac 1300? It's a 15w-40 isn't it? When you had it tested did it show any shearing at all? They say the 6.0 fords (what i have) are really bad at shearing a lot of 40 weight down to 30 in no time.

taviking22 · 03-30-2013, 05:56 PM

I'm to "old school" to go by the DIC ticker alone. However, being a citizen of the new millennium I do watch the DIC. I'll change the oil when it gets at or just below 25% oil life remaining. That happens at about 6000 miles.

Diesel Donnie · 03-30-2013, 10:18 PM

THANX to all who responded- Unfortunately, I still feel I need to change the oil long before the computer tells me- I do use Rotella and will continue to do so- I am also concerned about lubing the few grease zerks the GMC has- It seems to me that the grease schedule needs to be more traditional than what the computer indicates for the oil change needs- Any comments out there on the other issue that concerns me? I await the opinions of y'all- JMHO- DD

greenenvy1 · 03-31-2013, 06:06 AM

Have you considered having an oil test done? I have one sitting here ready to be mailed to blackstone labs.

dmax_83 · 03-31-2013, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recondite

Dmax, how do you like that Mobil Delvac 1300? It's a 15w-40 isn't it? When you had it tested did it show any shearing at all? They say the 6.0 fords (what i have) are really bad at shearing a lot of 40 weight down to 30 in no time.

I haven't had any issues with shearing at all. I draw a sample with the engine running when my OLM gets to 20% and blackstone has indicated on both occasions that I'm good for nearly 5k more miles before I should change. I usually end up changing when I get down to between 5-10% as my work schedule dictates. The only concern I have with the oil is that it's only recommended down to 0* due to its weight and sometimes we have nights where it gets close to that during the winter.

As far as GM's zerks, I hit them with Mobil synthetic grease every 5k when I rotate my tires. 9 total on the front end of my '11. Might be overkill but I'm dirty anyways.

Recondite · 03-31-2013, 08:43 AM

Dmax, thanks for the replies. Sounds like your one of those that could run regular 15w-40 in the summer and then switch to a 5w-40 in the winter. If you drive enough to warrant changing it twice a year that is.

Donnie, what does your owners manual say for the greasing schedule? Does it coincide with your oil changes?

dmax_83 · 03-31-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recondite

Dmax, thanks for the replies. Sounds like your one of those that could run regular 15w-40 in the summer and then switch to a 5w-40 in the winter. If you drive enough to warrant changing it twice a year that is.

Donnie, what does your owners manual say for the greasing schedule? Does it coincide with your oil changes?

No problem, glad to help. It almost never gets below zero here and I always park in a garage with a plug for my block heater. Plus, I don't drive nearly enough a year to warrant two oil changes.

Flyrotor · 03-31-2013, 12:54 PM

2011 Dodge Cummins Diesel 6.7.
I will watch my truck computer, when prompted to change my oil (usually around 3500 miles), I will reset my computer and continue to run it till the computer again prompts me. This time I will change my oil. This insures the oil is change at least every 7500 miles, which coincidently is the schedule as written in the owners manual.

Also, prior to going on any long trips towing my trailer (exceeding 500 miles) I will re-evaluate the oil life and may or may not change the oil prior to my previous stated plan.

Diesel Donnie · 04-03-2013, 11:33 AM

Well, I broke down and had the tv serviced at 3k as usual- As stated by others, oil is cheaper than a new engine- Also, the engine just seems to "purr" with new oil- Got to take good care of my "mistress" as the dw refers to the tv- JMHO- DD

hotrod51 · 04-12-2013, 08:52 PM

For the past several years I have parked the truck over the winter. There are the issues of contaminants from the combustion process. I did what I thought was the right thing for my situation, I put 2 to 4000 miles a year on my truck, I have been changing my oil in the spring and using synthetic, My thought and hope is the superior protection package of the oil and low miles will still do the job. Hey there diesel guys John Deere's Plus50 II is worth taking a look at 15-40W extended range oil. It is formulated for tier4 engines. It is rated for 500 hrs for tractors other applications an oil test is suggested at the normal oil change interval to see where the oil protection is. By the way I just had classes on the emissions on tier 4 for ag engines wow! be ready for with a thick wallet.

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