Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How often should oil be changed

[BigMike]

For just about every vehicle I've ever owned, both gas and diesel, the owners manuals suggest changing oil every 7500 miles. I even owned a Grand Prix that had a built in oil analyser. If I paid attention to it, I probably wouldn't have changed the oil until 20,000 miles. However, just about everyone, including dealers, suggest an oil change every 3000 miles. That's what I do, but sometime's I wonder if 3000 is the correct frequency. I know it will vary depending on driving conditions, towing etc. , but for normal driving conditions, what do you think is the correct mileage? Am I spending twice as much as I should for oil changes?

 

[SnoKing]

3000 is a myth by the quick lubes of the world. I have used 5000 for years on many different vehicles without a problem. Now if you have a Durango V8 that is have the crank case vent issues, then I would change every 2500 miles. SNOKING

 

[Timberline]

I've always changed my oil at 5,000 miles and I've never had any problems. My oil still looks new at 3,000, and I think that with the quality of motor oil these days, 5,000 is right in line.

 

[diesel DOG]

I use 15/40 Valvoline and had it test twice and 7500 was fine with a decent amount of towing. 3000 is cetainly a waste in most cases except extreme duty. Trucking fleets test to get the best bang for the buck from the oil and the truck life. Testings is cheaper try it for 15-20 bucks.

 

[rblomquist]

In this day and age the 3,000 mile oil change interval is a crime perpetrated on the American public plain and simple. The second thing is you cannot tell how serviceable the oil is by "how it looks". Every engine and every driver is different so the real answer is to do oil analysis at least a few times to get the *proof* of when you hit the sweet spot for your change interval.



There's tons of info out on the Amsoil site that talks about all this stuff. What I like about using that site as a source is they talk science(facts) a lot so it's not just marketing crap.



My motto is SHOW ME THE MONEY errr DATA! The proofs in the pudding and in this case that's oil analysis. I sample mine through the local Cummins shop for $13 (cheap). Almost any big truck/heavy equip place usually has a sampling program either in house or send-out.

 

[Dkuhlman]

Didja ever notice that when YOU are paying for the oil changes, the dealer recommends every 3000 miles and when the dealer is paying THEY recommend 7500 mile intervals!



3000 miles is more like the bottom extreme for heavy duty usage, short hops around town where the engine doesn't get good and warm and if the vehicle sits around a lot.



And as others have already stated, a test now and then won't hurt a thing.



Don

 

[PaulG]

if you run synthetic you could prolly go right to 10,000 if your not doing any real work with the truck. i don't run synthetic but i'm going every 5,000 miles and not a problem, if you toe daily/weekly in very hot climates maybe 3k is better but i'd say like everyone is saying ... . this isn't 1970 anymore even the worst oil is better then the best ones back in in 79'-80' back when the 3k rule applied

 

[BV]

I run 5000 on the oil changes. Engine tolerances are much better then the olden days so oil stays cleaner longer and like PaulG said - The oils are also better



I thought the new ones (03-04's) have oil change intervals at 7500 or 15000 mile?

 

[SHobbs]

Oil and filter get changed every 6k, Delo 15-40. I also do the fuel filter at the same interval. Seems over kill on the fuel filter, but clean fuel makes the Cummins happy.

 

[diesel DOG]

My friend leased a BMW and never changed the oil till 48,000. :--) He then changed it and turned it in.

 

[jrhodes]

Might be overkill, but its not hurting anything. Oil gets changed every 2 thousand miles. 15w-40 Shell Rotella T. Oil is cheaper by the 55 gallon drum. Oil filters dont cost me anything. 18 minutes start to finish. Lots of practice over the last 87,000 miles. Oo. Oo.

 

[rblomquist]

Might be overkill, but its not hurting anything.

One way to look at it is that it's prematurely depleting a non-renewable natural resource while at the same time making us more dependent on the middle east. Not trying to be a smart butt nor trying to offend. I'm also not anywhere close to being an enviro nut but I can't follow that logic in this day and age. Nobody drains the diesel out of their tank when it gets to 1/2 empty because fresher day-old diesel is better.



Again, not trying to pick a fight or tick you off but I think taking the responsible route (especially when you can get a scientific analysis of your oil for well under $20) the correct way to go in 2004/5. Yes, you can go out and do a 2k oil change as you have the means and the price is nominal but it just doesn't seem like a good thing to do.



Respectfully,



Rich

 

[SnoKing]

One way to look at it is that it's prematurely depleting a non-renewable natural resource while at the same time making us more dependent on the middle east. Not trying to be a smart butt nor trying to offend. I'm also not anywhere close to being an enviro nut but I can't follow that logic in this day and age. Nobody drains the diesel out of their tank when it gets to 1/2 empty because fresher day-old diesel is better.



Again, not trying to pick a fight or tick you off but I think taking the responsible route (especially when you can get a scientific analysis of your oil for well under $20) the correct way to go in 2004/5. Yes, you can go out and do a 2k oil change as you have the means and the price is nominal but it just doesn't seem like a good thing to do.



Respectfully,



Rich

Rich, well said. Kind of goes with making smoke just to see it. SNOKING

 

[tajensen]

I run Amsoil 15w-40 Marine oil and change ever 8-10K with no problems according to the analysis

 

[RWhites]

Ditto on the Amsoil 15-40 Marine diesel oil, I run 10K between changes in all my rigs and one has 254k with no internal issues. At $80 a change (oil, filter & fuel filter) that's roughly $2,000, if I changed out every 2,000 miles that would be $10. 2k :--) I will stay with syn @ 10K miles. :-laf

My granfather said " 5K between changes" 40 years ago. He ran a model T garage. Some improvements have occured since then.

Rich

Sorry, no coffee yet :{

 

[SnoKing]

How about 10. 2K! Recheck you math. 5 times more often, not 20 times more often. SNOKING

 

[Sled Puller]

If you are heavily fueled, every 300 feet!



Ran 5000 for years, went to 7500 with the Cummins, went to Amsoil and testing, 35,000 or 1 year.

Fueled the crap out of it, dropped back to 10,000, or less depending on warm up time at the pulls. Raw fuel is not a good lubricant.



On a virtually stock truck though, even with cheap oil, 2000, or even 3000 is a waste, unless you enjoy changing your oil. (there is nothing wrong with that!)

 

[tgee]

New oil on market, Class CI-4. Meant for EGR engines, which seem to put more soot in oil. Oil is better, better at suspending bad stuff for the filter to remove. Have seen data that you can increase change interval with CI-4.

 

[KBalzuweit]

8000 for me.

 

[Supermod56]

15000 with Redline 15/40, I just change the filter every 7500. Oil analysis is a great thing!!



Tom