Service interval for engine oil, etc

[Diesel Donnie]

How many owners follow the instructions on oil changes that are posted on the onboard screen? How many, like myself, still change the oil every 3k or some other set mileage? I can appreciate the $ savings following the onboard computer, but I wonder if we are sacrificing engine longjevity to save a few $ shortterm? Sure would appreciate some prompt replies as we are northbound on Monday- THANX in advance for all opinions on this subject- JMHO- DD

[thomasmnile]

I don't have an oil life monitor function on my Ram, even though it's an '05. The manual says 7500 miles (I believe for "severe" service), 15000 or once a year otherwise. I change the oil and filter twice a year using Amsoil 15-40 diesel/marine oil and a Wix or NAPA Gold Filter. Overkill? Probably so, but it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. The good news, it's "only" a 3 gal. oil change, unlike the Ford or GM diesel. Bad news, Amsoil is kinda pricey, and getting more so.

[David472]

For my gasser, I change the oil every 6 months, or at 25% oil life remaining, which ever comes first. Before a long towing session (in-between those times), I also check the dipstick oil for look and feel, and if I have doubts about the look and feel, I change it anyway. Better safe than sorry, I say.

[Iraqvet05]

I just sold our Chrysler mini van with 100K miles on it and only replaced the oil when the computer said to...bought it new and never had an engine issue. I also change the oil on my Silverado when the computer says but have very little tow time on it. I'm not sure if the oil change interval varies depending on driving conditions but I may adapt David472s' approach and change the oil at 25%. I can tell when my truck is getting near the oil change interval - it starts to run a little rough.

[Crabman]

I do not go by the OLM, I use my own schedule. I guess I`m just old school on this but it bugs me if the oil goes longer then I think it should.

[TCNashville]

Every 5000 miles on my Ford 6.7 liter diesel, regardless. Only 3 gal. plus 1 qt. of Rotella 10w 30. Whew!

[29BHS ECO]

I change 3-5 k and use Mobile 1 85 Mustang SVO 125 K 99 Escort ZX2 165K F250 100k all without engine problems The main reason for the synthentic is due to the heat generated in these engines with cat converters & the extreme close tolerances they are built to. Larry

[Bob Landry]

I think the manual for my new F250 specifies every 7000 miles. That doesn't work for me. I'm a 5K mile guy and I've done that on every vehicle I've owned.. I got 24 months free service with my truck, but if Ford doesn't want to pay for the 5K interval change, my dealer does oil and filter service for $12 and I'm happy to pay it.

[thomasmnile]

Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE

Every 5000 miles on my Ford 6.7 liter diesel, regardless. Only 3 gal. plus 1 qt. of Rotella 10w 30. Whew!

Wow, that must be a relief. Didn't the 6.0 take something like 15-17 quarts with a filter change?

[dmax_83]

I found an interesting article on GM's oil life monitor and was convinced to use it before I bought my '11. I use 2 1/2 gallons of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super (standard dino oil, not synthetic) and a Mobil One filter. My oil changes are about once a year or approximately 12-14k miles. The samples that I've sent out have come back showing that GM's monitor is conservative with its life expectancy of the oil. I should also mention that in the past I was always a 3k oil change guy.

[tinlizzie23]

I change my F350 V-10 gasser's oil and filter religiously at 3,000 miles. Oil on dipstick is thus always transparent enough to see through. Same for my my wife's Ford 500, my '77 T-bird, my two Model T Fords, and every 100 hours on my 8N Ford tractor. 'Nuff said.

[troutslayer]

I was somewhat shocked when I read the manual on our GMC. It said something like "change the oil when the oil life monitor comes on but, in any event, the oil should be changed at least once a year". Say what@! I change it every 5000 miles anyway. I'm a pretty simple guy so it's easy for me to just look at the odometer which tells me when to change the oil. I'm still not used to seeing what I would describe as dirty oil in my Duramax even right after the oil is changed. Right or wrong, that's what I do.

[Jagiven]

On my little Dodge, I change at 3K, it rated to go 5K between oil changes. I hope to keep that truck for 15 more years, so changing the oil is a good thing IMHO (I do have an OEM life time power train warranty).

My model T, I change the oil way to often about every 500 miles (no odometer, so it is just a guess), which is a couple times a year.

I have a few friends with the oil life indicators. I know at least one of them stated when he changes the oil he has to reset the computer. The indicator slowly decreases the oil life and exact at 5K miles it says it has no more oil life. The manual for that car (VW) states to change the oil every 5K miles. My guess that vehicle does not have a real sensor; it is just a dumby light for those that do not know they need to do maintenance.

[mach8274]

I change the oil in my truck every 7500 miles. I have never seen the "change engine oil" light. I let it go to 8k once and still, no light. I have sent an oil sample to Blackstone labs and so far, so good. They tell me I'm good to 10k if I want. I use 5w-40 Rotella T-6 Synthetic in my 6.7L Powerstroke.

[mach8274]

Originally Posted by thomasmnile

Wow, that must be a relief. Didn't the 6.0 take something like 15-17 quarts with a filter change?

Both the 6.0 and the 7.3 used 15 qts.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by tinlizzie23

I change my F350 V-10 gasser's oil and filter religiously at 3,000 miles. Oil on dipstick is thus always transparent enough to see through. Same for my my wife's Ford 500, my '77 T-bird, my two Model T Fords, and every 100 hours on my 8N Ford tractor. 'Nuff said.

Tinlizzie23, you are a Ford guy through and through.

[owenssailor]

I follow Oil Life Monitor on GM cars i own/owned on previous pickup and current 2012 Silverado. Did a lot of research into testing of oil after following OLM. In every case the oil was good for several thousand more miles when change oil light came on. Testing was done with non synthetic.

[mcfarmall]

I change mine in November and May. The truck gets Mobil 1 and usually has over 25% on the OLM. The Ody gets Motorcraft synthetic blend. Oil technology has improved drastically and if it makes you feel good to change it at 3k then what you do with your money is your business. I love America! Someday the environmental police will probably step in and charge you with a crime if you change before the OLM is at 0%.

[Rob_Fla]

Years ago I used to be a 3K guy, but that was almost all city driving.
Then I moved to a 5k guy with the better oils of today.
Now on our last DMax and current DMax I go by the GM Oil Life Display and usually change it when it gets below 20%.
Been using the OLM on company gasser 1/2 ton truck since I got it when it has 300 miles on it, next week it will turn over 250K, never had engine problems with it.

[greenenvy1]

using shell rotella 15-40. changing every 15-20,000 kilometres (every 3-4 weeks) on my 5.9 cummins