Cautionary Tale on Oil Change Required Message

[mcurtice1]

Just thought that I would relate my latest experience on my truck.



At 5500 miles, the Oil Change Required message showed up on my CEL. I had the oil changed at 3000 miles (freebie from the dealer), so I figured that maybe they had forgot to reset it. My plan had been to wait until 7500 miles as recommended in the manual.



When I gave it more thought, I was a little more concerned. Around 5000 miles, I had taken the truck to the dealer for the MIL light. They told me that the MIL light came on because I put LSD fuel in the truck. Of course I told them they were full of it. I have not seen anything but ULSD since I bought the truck. Anyway, they reset the MIL and cleared the codes.



I decided to change the oil just in case and not just reset the Oil Change Required message. Am I glad I did!!!! That oil was pitch black! And VERY thick! Not at all something I would keep in the engine any longer than necessary.



For all of you that just reset the message, give it another thought. Is the savings of not changing the oil worth running black tar in the engine? This was enough to make me consider a secondary oil filtration unit.

 

[TKeeler]

Just thought that I would relate my latest experience on my truck.



At 5500 miles, the Oil Change Required message showed up on my CEL. I had the oil changed at 3000 miles (freebie from the dealer), so I figured that maybe they had forgot to reset it. My plan had been to wait until 7500 miles as recommended in the manual.



When I gave it more thought, I was a little more concerned. Around 5000 miles, I had taken the truck to the dealer for the MIL light. They told me that the MIL light came on because I put LSD fuel in the truck. Of course I told them they were full of it. I have not seen anything but ULSD since I bought the truck. Anyway, they reset the MIL and cleared the codes.



I decided to change the oil just in case and not just reset the Oil Change Required message. Am I glad I did!!!! That oil was pitch black! And VERY thick! Not at all something I would keep in the engine any longer than necessary.



For all of you that just reset the message, give it another thought. Is the savings of not changing the oil worth running black tar in the engine? This was enough to make me consider a secondary oil filtration unit.

What kind of driving during those last 2500 miles? Towing, city stop and go, freeway, very much idling?



I changed my oil twice during the first 8,000 miles the second time was when the light came on. This was with very little towing and mostly highway miles.

 

[Alton]

I changed the oil in mine at 3684 miles. It was black!!! The light came on at 7500. I cycled the light to turn it off. I changed oil again, 5,000 miles later. It was as black as the first batch. Haven't had any more oil change warnings but I do expect to see it later on. It doesn't matter if it lights up or not. I have always changed the oil and filter every 5,000 miles, As far as I'm concerned, it is a very inexpensive preventative maintenance. However, changing the oil and filter will not keep the oil looking clean. The next time you change the oil, drive fifty miles or so, pull the dip stick and check the color. it will be as black as the batch you just drained.

 

[klenger]

It's always black. Get used to it.

 

[BTighe]

is this just with the 6. 7? my 02 went almost 2k before turning black with the delo 400 LE oil.

 

[AMink]

My 06 turns black fast too. There are some other threads that discuss this. I just can't remember why it gets black so fast.

 

[jimnance]

Cooled EGR. Exhaust gas is cooled and recirculated into the intake. It's a method for cooling the combustion event and reducing NOX. It also loads the oil with more soot.

 

[klenger]

All of the engines since the 04. 5 600 have black oil. Mine is black as soon as I start the engine after changing it. No EGR.

 

[RDHamill]

i'm considering a by pass filter, not that the color bothers me, but the soot does. Might go with Amsoil, or a Fritz. any thoughts ?

 

[jimnance]

Maybe, but my '05 doesn't seem to get nearly as black as my '07. OTOH, my '05 has an Edge Attitude. Possibly the retarded timing of stock engines has something to do with the problem. I think the Edge alters the timing as well as the duration of the fueling event.



In auto engines I recall retarded timing being used to lower the combustion temperatures and NOX levels.