Mid cycle oil filter changes?

[klenger]

I interested in hearing opinions aobut mid cycle oil filter changes to extend oil change interval. I'm using Delo 400 and am thinking of 7500 mile oil changes with a filter change at 3750 miles. These intervals are well within Dodge's recommendations for the 600's.



Does a mid-cycle filter change accomplish anything?



I realize that the filter will be cleaner, but will the oil be any cleaner, or does the filter change just prevent restrictions from a contaminated filter?



Keep it civil please.

 

[BarryG]

Well changing the filter sure wouldnt hurt anything and you are replacing approx a quart of oil with the change which sure wouldnt hurt either but as you stated it is already well within specs so the question is is it worth the extra expense and trouble. Well since that is your original question I guess I am of no help in the answer.





pros=

clear filter which should equate to cleaner oil and less wear

make up oil for the filter should equate to diluting the existing oil so it is cleaner and equating to less wear

Replenishing the additives



cons=

expense of filters and makeup oil

expense in time

trouble of disposing of one more used oil filter

opening the system one more time allowing the possiblity of contaminents entering the system.



however all the pros and cons are imo of negligable consequence

 

[rbattelle]

An interesting idea. But remember that the ability of a filter to filter is actually enhanced by some dirt on the element. In other words, a fresh-from-the-box filter may not filter as well as one that's got a nice layer of dirt on the element.



I think the only way to check this out would be to try it once and send in oil samples at 3750 miles and 7500.



-Ryan

 

[Rosco]

I'm not sure if the 600's are different but on my 305/555 the severe service interval is 7500 miles for both the oil and filter. If the 600's are the same, then allowing your filter to go the full 7500 miles is fine. Also, rbattelle has a valid point about a slightly dirty filter filtering better than a new one. Remember, you have a new engine that is running clean as opposed to an older, unmaintained, high miler, with excessive blow-by and/or sludge build up. I am personally using a 7500 mile interval on Delvac1 and a Fleetguard Stratapore. I know by using the Delvac1 I could probably run the oil longer (while doing a filter swap between 5-7500 miles) but using the 7500 mile interval equates to an oil change twice a year and it keeps DC happy.

 

[Wayne M.]

I am going with the "B" service interval, which is oil and filter every 3500, and fuel every other oil filter change. My criteria falls within the "B" deal, and Geno's 4/2/1 kit works out to about one year's worth of filters. Keeps it simple for me.

I do this for a living on municipal light and heavy equipment, and the "B" schedule is very similar to what is typically done at work. BTW, our mid cycle consists of a safety check, chassis lube and if more than 100 hrs/ 1000 mi. since the last full PM, then a oil/ filter. Full PM's and mid cycles alternate.



Does a mid-cycle filter change accomplish anything?

I see no problem with your method.

 

[LightmanE300]

Wayne M - I'm not sure if the 600's changed their maintenance schedule from the 03+ 305/555's, however you are quoting the california maintenance schedule - which is 3750/7500. The non CA models are 7500/15000 between changes.



Klenger, there's absolutely no reason to change the filter halfway through. A new filter won't filter any better, because at 3750 it's not clogged. I can appreciate the idea, but there is really no point to it.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wayne M - you are quoting the california maintenance schedule - which is 3750/7500.

This is what my book says. The "A" schedule is 7500 in my book. Either way, I was comfortable with a 4000 Mi drain with my 'ol '92, the soot wasn't bad at all. I'll monitor how this engine dirties the oil. I know used Motor oil when I see it. It will stain your fingers, the old Detroits were real bad!

 

[Cattletrkr]

I change my oil at 10k. I use either Delvac 1 or Amsoil or both (currently) depending on what I feel like dumping in that particular day. I don't trust the filters to go 10k so I change the filter at 5k. I'm getting my filters from the local Mobile guy. They're the ones that are supposed to be good for 10-12k, but for the same price as a regular filter, why not. $6 for the filter and 10mins isn't really "wasting time" in my book. It's not neccessary, but it makes me feel like I'm trying to be nice to my truck.

 

[Buffalo]

Years ago, I ran across a guy in Kanab, UT. with an old Toyota Landcruiser. He had 389,000 miles on the original engine. I asked him how he got that much life out of a gas engine and He said that he changed the oil filter once a month and added a quart of new oil. Never changed the oil, completely. He said the engine was getting a bit tired, though. I, also, remember reading in the TDR, quite a few years ago, about a guy and his wife that towed trailers, professionally, with a '94 Dodge with 1,153,000 miles on the original engine. They documented everything they did to the truck. Changed oil and filter every 5000 miles (Shell Rotella 15/40, Fleetguard). I used to change mine on my '91 every 4000miles, til I read their story. I then increased the interval to 5000 miles and quit worrying about it. I'll never live long enough to put a million miles on my truck. On the other hand, I can, certainly, understand how a person could want to take extraordinary care of the truck they really enjoy. Joe F. (Buffalo).

 

[LightmanE300]

This is what my book says. The "A" schedule is 7500 in my book. Either way, I was comfortable with a 4000 Mi drain with my 'ol '92, the soot wasn't bad at all. I'll monitor how this engine dirties the oil. I know used Motor oil when I see it. It will stain your fingers, the old Detroits were real bad!

I'd take a closer look at your book. I initially thought the same thing about the intervals, but then I noticed the little symbol next to the numbers. At the bottom there is a key that explains the symbols. Unless you have a CA truck, the intervals are 7500/15000 severe/light duty. .



Also, I hate you tell you but visual inspection of the oil offers no true insight as to the oil's quality. My MB turns the oil black as night in 500 miles, however oil analysis shows that after 5k miles, the oil is still in fantastic shape, almost new. Soot was also less than 1/2 of 1%, despite its black appearance. Just FYI.

 

[klenger]

I have an early 04. 5, and I don't think the owner's manual was updated at that time to show the 7500/15,000 mile interval.

 

[LightmanE300]

Klenger - the manual has said 7500/15000 since 03. .