More Break In Questions

[slvrstrk]

Actually follow up questions. I have been reading old posts for most of the morning and it looks like:



1) change the oil at the recommended intervals (A or B)

2) "load" the truck to shorten the break in process



I fall in the Schedule B group so I should go in for my first oil change at 7500 miles. My dealer is telling me to change the oil every 3000 miles. Is he trying to get me to do extra oil changes, for what ever reasons ($)? Should the first oil change be at 7500 or maybe 3500 then 7500 intervals after that?



As for loading, if I never "load" the truck to help the break in will the engine ever realize it's full potential or will it just take longer to get there?



Thanks.

 

[Grayhackle]

My dealer says change oil and filter every 3750 miles. I still haven't made up my mind when to change the stuff. I have been reading the owners manual about maintenance and get more confused and angrier every time I go through it. If I follow my dealer's recommendation this is the highest maintenance vehicle I have ever owned. I thought one of the advantages of synthetic oil was long lasting capability. Not so in the diffs and transfer case. Never changed it in my 90 CTD, but maybe I should have.

Never had a problem with the transfer case, 5 speed or differentials with non synthetic. The more I read the maintenance guide the more I wish I had not sold my 1990!!

I would just park the 03 in the driveway and admire it.

I know some say to hell with the warranty, but I don't have that much confidence in this truck.

 

[DPKetchum]

I think a first oil change at 3k is not a bad idea. After that 7500 seems like not a bad idea. just my 02 cents worth. Years ago on gas engines I always recommended firt oil changes at 1k then every 3k. Older type oils back then. (the 80s). I changed mine(it was free)the first time at 3k.

 

[slvrstrk]

I think I will compromise and take it in this week for the first oil change (3500 mile) then again at 7500 miles. After that I think I will stick to the book with the third oil change at 15K.



With a gasser it was 3K or 3 months. I can't find a reference to time either in TDR or in the manuals. Does the 3 month time frame still apply to us? And if so, would a synthetic buy you more time? Thanks.