I was curious what oil change intervals are you guys using Im running amsoil 15W40 I was initally changing my oil every 5000miles but Ive stretched it to 7500miles what do you guys think?
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Oil change intervals with amsoil
- Thread starter craftybigdog
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it depends on what exactly you are running... Amsoil advertises 12500mi/6mo intervals. If you run the bypass oil filter changethe full flow at 12500 and the bypass at 25k and just top off the oil when you change a filter. Theoretically you could go forever w/o a full drain if you use the bypass filter.
I would change at 10k if I was using just a full flow filter. I belive that synthetic is good for a double interval. I usually change my oil at 3k on a gasser and 5k on a diesel with dino oil. Sow/synthetic i change at 6k and 10k whenonly using a full flow filter.
I installed the dual-bypass filter system at 12000mi I will change the full-flow and have the oil tested(I installed the filters and oil at 28kand the truck is at 32k now).
MHO FWIW.
Good luck,
Mark
I would change at 10k if I was using just a full flow filter. I belive that synthetic is good for a double interval. I usually change my oil at 3k on a gasser and 5k on a diesel with dino oil. Sow/synthetic i change at 6k and 10k whenonly using a full flow filter.
I installed the dual-bypass filter system at 12000mi I will change the full-flow and have the oil tested(I installed the filters and oil at 28kand the truck is at 32k now).
MHO FWIW.
Good luck,
Mark
Vaughn MacKenzie
TDR MEMBER
craftybigdog, I would start by going 10,000 miles then take a sample when you change it to send in for analysis. This will tell you how your oil is doing. Based on my experience, unless there is really something wrong with your engine or driving habits, the analysis results will come back showing you drained perfectly good oil from your engine.
I always go 20,000 miles per oil change on my Amsoil and change the Stratapore filter 3 times (I don't run any sort of bypass filter system). At the end of 20,000 miles my oil samples always show the oil to be in excellent condition and if I extrapolated how long I could run it, based on the numbers, I should be able to go 40-60k miles on a change.
But I do frequent 20k changes for peace of mind
Vaughn
I always go 20,000 miles per oil change on my Amsoil and change the Stratapore filter 3 times (I don't run any sort of bypass filter system). At the end of 20,000 miles my oil samples always show the oil to be in excellent condition and if I extrapolated how long I could run it, based on the numbers, I should be able to go 40-60k miles on a change.
But I do frequent 20k changes for peace of mind
Vaughn
OK Here is My 2 cents worth. Cummins says 15K for this engine on service intervals, but they don't warranty it Dodge does. Dodge says in their manual 7,500mi even if using synthetic. So here is what I do. I run the Amsoil 15-40 synthetic in the summer and the series 3000 5-30 in the winter. I run an analisys @ 7,000mi (It always comes back fine) I change the Fleetguard Stratapore filter @ 7,500mi & add 1qt. I dump @ 15,000mi & run another analisys(always comes back perfectly good oil!) The results are the same with either weight oil, It is good @ 15,000 miles. My rational is that if I have an oil analisys and the oil is good, Dodge would be extreemly hard pressed to not honor warranty coverage based on failure to change when they reccomended. Especially when a complete change was done within the normal service interval of the engine manufacturer and supported by hard data!. (Who by the way would run that long with DINO! oil & not think anything about it. ) When I reach the 100K mark, I will then switch to the 7,500 mile filter change / add 1 qt, analize @15,000mi, 22,500mi filter + add 1 qt & Full change + filter @ 30,000 mi routine.
cullyguy,
Dodge would not be hard pressed to not honor warranty claims if you use the fully synthetic engine oils from Amsoil. Amsoil oils are not API approved and according to DC should not be used.
From the owners manual:
This symbol on the front of the oil container means the oil has been certified by the API to meet all lubricating requirements specified by the Chrysler Corporation. Synthetic oils may be used provided that the oil requirements described above are met and the recomended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are followed. OILS THAT DO NOT HAVE BOTH THE ENGINE OIL CERTIFICATION MARK OR CURRENT SERVICE SYMBOL AND THE CORRECT VISCOSITY GRADE NUMBER SHOULD NOT BE USED.
The Amsoil products are not approved by DC for use in the Cummins engines and are not approved or certified by the API. You ARE risking your warranty with DC.
Don~
Dodge would not be hard pressed to not honor warranty claims if you use the fully synthetic engine oils from Amsoil. Amsoil oils are not API approved and according to DC should not be used.
From the owners manual:
This symbol on the front of the oil container means the oil has been certified by the API to meet all lubricating requirements specified by the Chrysler Corporation. Synthetic oils may be used provided that the oil requirements described above are met and the recomended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are followed. OILS THAT DO NOT HAVE BOTH THE ENGINE OIL CERTIFICATION MARK OR CURRENT SERVICE SYMBOL AND THE CORRECT VISCOSITY GRADE NUMBER SHOULD NOT BE USED.
The Amsoil products are not approved by DC for use in the Cummins engines and are not approved or certified by the API. You ARE risking your warranty with DC.
Don~
You are not risking any warranty with DC by using Amsoil OR extending your drains.
Somebody has a personal problem with Amsoil and is trying to destroy a companys flawless reputation for making some of the finest lubricants in the world.
If that somebody would like to show us ONE case of DC, Ford, Or GM voiding a warranty for using Amsoil, by all means post it.
If anybody tries to mess with your warranty about using Amsoil, Amsoil will back you up.
If ANYBODY has had a problem, please e-mail me, I will help you out.
Gene
Somebody has a personal problem with Amsoil and is trying to destroy a companys flawless reputation for making some of the finest lubricants in the world.
If that somebody would like to show us ONE case of DC, Ford, Or GM voiding a warranty for using Amsoil, by all means post it.
If anybody tries to mess with your warranty about using Amsoil, Amsoil will back you up.
If ANYBODY has had a problem, please e-mail me, I will help you out.
Gene
I have nothing to gain in the oil wars except the satisfaction of knowing that consumers are being told everything about Amsoil and the lack of API certification.
MGM will benifit directly financially from the sale of Amsoil to many a TDR member and others. Not a problem at all, but the probable conflict of interest is apparent. Same reasons we dont let Judges preside over cases involving friends and family members. Conflict of interest.
DC states in my owners manual that "oil that is not API certified should not be used" Not my words at all. Cummins, MACK trucks, Eaton, DC all say that API certified oil should be used. Not Don!
Im not on here making false statements at all. My facts are all straight and easily found in your owners manual or on the websites of the afformentioned companies.
Extended oil drain intervals are not approved by DC. Why spend 5 bucks a quart on oil to drain out at 3000 miles or even 7500?
MGM wrote: "You are not risking any warranty with DC by using Amsoil OR extending your drains. "
How can you claim this when the owners manual states differently? The manufacturer of the engine states differently as well. DC states that extended oils drains are not recommended. As well as not using certified oil. Why risk it?
On another note: Can you provide us with a case or cases where Amsoil has replaced an engine or transmission or anything that was denied by DC MGM? Amsoil asks for the consumer to pay for oil analysis and prove our case before they will pay a cent to cover damage caused by their oil. I know that generally companies that settle cases ask parties not to speak about the agreement as part of the settlement. Amsoil will always ask the customer not tell anyone if the oil was the problem and in return Amsoil pays for repairs or new engines, transmissions,etc.
Can you help me out MGM? My transfer case and engine now leak after using Amsoil. I guess I could never prove the problem was from Amsoil huh? With all the cases of oil leaks floating around how could I ever be compensated for such a thing as this? All I have is the fact that they both started leaking shortly after using Amsoil.
Don~
MGM will benifit directly financially from the sale of Amsoil to many a TDR member and others. Not a problem at all, but the probable conflict of interest is apparent. Same reasons we dont let Judges preside over cases involving friends and family members. Conflict of interest.
DC states in my owners manual that "oil that is not API certified should not be used" Not my words at all. Cummins, MACK trucks, Eaton, DC all say that API certified oil should be used. Not Don!
Im not on here making false statements at all. My facts are all straight and easily found in your owners manual or on the websites of the afformentioned companies.
Extended oil drain intervals are not approved by DC. Why spend 5 bucks a quart on oil to drain out at 3000 miles or even 7500?
MGM wrote: "You are not risking any warranty with DC by using Amsoil OR extending your drains. "
How can you claim this when the owners manual states differently? The manufacturer of the engine states differently as well. DC states that extended oils drains are not recommended. As well as not using certified oil. Why risk it?
On another note: Can you provide us with a case or cases where Amsoil has replaced an engine or transmission or anything that was denied by DC MGM? Amsoil asks for the consumer to pay for oil analysis and prove our case before they will pay a cent to cover damage caused by their oil. I know that generally companies that settle cases ask parties not to speak about the agreement as part of the settlement. Amsoil will always ask the customer not tell anyone if the oil was the problem and in return Amsoil pays for repairs or new engines, transmissions,etc.
Can you help me out MGM? My transfer case and engine now leak after using Amsoil. I guess I could never prove the problem was from Amsoil huh? With all the cases of oil leaks floating around how could I ever be compensated for such a thing as this? All I have is the fact that they both started leaking shortly after using Amsoil.
Don~
Can you provide us with a case or cases where Amsoil has replaced an engine or transmission or anything that was denied by DC MGM???
WHY NO, DON, I CAN"T. BECAUSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE.
Thank you for making that point!
Can you tell me that ALL your other vehicles never leaked with petro oil?
Amsoil will leak FASTER where a petro was seeping. But it does NOT cause leaks.
1972 Don.
BTW, Don, you had better get that K&N filter off your truck, Cummins says they are a no-no!
Oh, and D-C doesn't like those big injectors you installed neither.
WHY NO, DON, I CAN"T. BECAUSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE.
Thank you for making that point!
Can you tell me that ALL your other vehicles never leaked with petro oil?
Amsoil will leak FASTER where a petro was seeping. But it does NOT cause leaks.
1972 Don.
BTW, Don, you had better get that K&N filter off your truck, Cummins says they are a no-no!
Oh, and D-C doesn't like those big injectors you installed neither.
Don, My transfercase leaked after 28k mi on a new truck. . the transmission cmes with synthetic lube in it from the factory.
DC can't make a transmission that won't leak so how are they gonna blame it on the oil/lube.
There is a dealer that has customer using a 350chevy as a pump motor. it has a dual bypas setup. it runs 24/7 except for scheduled maintenace. They change the oil once a year and the motor now has 17000hrs and counting with nothing more than normal tune-ups and yealy oil changes w/qtrly filter changes.
show me another sb chevy the equivalent of 340,000 mi w/o a rebuild. They have no plan to rebuild it in the near future.
DC can't make a transmission that won't leak so how are they gonna blame it on the oil/lube.
There is a dealer that has customer using a 350chevy as a pump motor. it has a dual bypas setup. it runs 24/7 except for scheduled maintenace. They change the oil once a year and the motor now has 17000hrs and counting with nothing more than normal tune-ups and yealy oil changes w/qtrly filter changes.
show me another sb chevy the equivalent of 340,000 mi w/o a rebuild. They have no plan to rebuild it in the near future.
A little off the direct subject, but I just wanted to throw this comment into the fire...
Gene (MGM) got me started with my first AMSOIL order. He didn't make a dime from my order, he got me started as a Preferred Customer, and ever since then, I have been making my own purchases at the Preferred Customer price. I've never met Gene in person, he lives a bit far from me... . But I just wanted to point out that he doesn't necessarily promote AMSOIL products because he is looking for a quick profit from fellow TDR members. He honestly believes in the product. Just like all of us would promote Dodge/Cummins trucks/engines on say, some other diesel related web sites
On the other hand, even though as of this last weekend, my truck now runs AMSOIL 15W-40 HDD&M oil in the engine at 32,300 miles, I can't say for 100% certainty that AMSOIL is absolutely perfect either. But it's my choice to use their products.
Just a bit of food for thought.
Tom
Gene (MGM) got me started with my first AMSOIL order. He didn't make a dime from my order, he got me started as a Preferred Customer, and ever since then, I have been making my own purchases at the Preferred Customer price. I've never met Gene in person, he lives a bit far from me... . But I just wanted to point out that he doesn't necessarily promote AMSOIL products because he is looking for a quick profit from fellow TDR members. He honestly believes in the product. Just like all of us would promote Dodge/Cummins trucks/engines on say, some other diesel related web sites
On the other hand, even though as of this last weekend, my truck now runs AMSOIL 15W-40 HDD&M oil in the engine at 32,300 miles, I can't say for 100% certainty that AMSOIL is absolutely perfect either. But it's my choice to use their products.
Just a bit of food for thought.
Tom
In general, I agree that with the synthetics 7500 is probably a conservative interval, even with no bypass filter, unless your driving is exclusively short trips, cold weather or other "severe" service. But since you're using 15W40, I'm guessing you went to synthetic to get lower wear, not for cold weather performance. If you want lower wear, I think you really do owe it to yourself to strongly consider adding a bypass filter. Without a bypass filter, your extended intervals will "undo" at least some of the potential good you gain from using a high quality synthetic. The Amsoil dual bypass seems very popular, but my preferences would be the Oilguard or Amsoil single bypass. Search on "bypass" and you'll find a wealth of information. I'm not pushing any one brand, but you can find some good info on bypass filters in general at www.oilguardfilters.com
If you get amsoil, you don't have to change the oil anymore. Well maybe every rebuild or so. Na, just save the oil, rebuild the engine, and put the oil back in.
Just for the fun of it, I got out my owners manual (2001. 5), and on page 205 under the section "Engine Oil Selection" it says "Use only oils conforming to API Service CG-4 or CH-4. ... "
Unless there is some other reference to API certification that I did not see, I do not see how "conforming" to can be interperted as meaning "must be certified to". I am sure AmsOil can claim that that they conform to API specs, without having the certification.
Also, it is my understanding that ISO9000 certification does not have anything to do with producing quality. It only assures repeatability. An ISO9000 manufacturer can consistantly produce inferior products.
Disclaimer: Take my opnions for what their worth, 'cause I really don't know much about this stuff.
DonM
No where in the owner's manual does it say to use an oil "CERTIFIED" by the API. The manual says to use oils "CONFORMING" to API spec's... not certified by them... a HUGE difference. This is on page 197 of by 2001 manual. Amsoil states that their oils conform to these standards... and guess what they do. The API has not once in the last 30 years brought suit for this inferred mislabeling as you would have us believe. Amsoil makes several oils which conform to the API standards that Dodge requests. The fact that they are not "CERTIFIED by API has no meaning since they are not required to be. They simply must CONFORM to the standards for that particular oil service rating. Amsoils products are superior to almost every other oil produced and they know it. Their oils are tested to API specs and surpass them in every category tested. One other thing... . to say that they have no oils which are "CERTIFIED" is also a falsehood. Several of their oils including the 7500 Series 5W30, 10W30 and the 15W40 synthetic blend for use in diesels carry API certification. This can be verified on the the API website. The full synthetic 15w40 which is used most often on this site does not carry the certification, but does CONFORM to the spec's as advertised by Amsoil, which is all Dodge says it has to do.
I have been using their products for 12 years. The 93 Cummins, which is owned by my father turned 400K this month... no problems at all. The 96 PSD driven by my brother has 285K. It has had no problems. My 99. 5 PSD has 82k... no problems. I put Amsoil in the 01 Cummins two weeks ago after reaching 20K. The first tank of fuel saw a mileage jump from 20. 5 on average to 22. 4... ... the highest it has ever been for steady 75mph freeway driving... . CJ
No where in the owner's manual does it say to use an oil "CERTIFIED" by the API. The manual says to use oils "CONFORMING" to API spec's... not certified by them... a HUGE difference. This is on page 197 of by 2001 manual. Amsoil states that their oils conform to these standards... and guess what they do. The API has not once in the last 30 years brought suit for this inferred mislabeling as you would have us believe. Amsoil makes several oils which conform to the API standards that Dodge requests. The fact that they are not "CERTIFIED by API has no meaning since they are not required to be. They simply must CONFORM to the standards for that particular oil service rating. Amsoils products are superior to almost every other oil produced and they know it. Their oils are tested to API specs and surpass them in every category tested. One other thing... . to say that they have no oils which are "CERTIFIED" is also a falsehood. Several of their oils including the 7500 Series 5W30, 10W30 and the 15W40 synthetic blend for use in diesels carry API certification. This can be verified on the the API website. The full synthetic 15w40 which is used most often on this site does not carry the certification, but does CONFORM to the spec's as advertised by Amsoil, which is all Dodge says it has to do.
I have been using their products for 12 years. The 93 Cummins, which is owned by my father turned 400K this month... no problems at all. The 96 PSD driven by my brother has 285K. It has had no problems. My 99. 5 PSD has 82k... no problems. I put Amsoil in the 01 Cummins two weeks ago after reaching 20K. The first tank of fuel saw a mileage jump from 20. 5 on average to 22. 4... ... the highest it has ever been for steady 75mph freeway driving... . CJ
Klenger and CJ,
I just checked my 97 manual and it does in fact say "conforming to". You are correct. I originally checked my 95 manual and the text is totally different and says what I said it did. So, we are both correct on this one.
My 97 manual does show the API "donut" and then asks to use oils conforming to the API standards. It sounds like they want an API licensed or certified oil to me. You guys can do what makes ya happy. I have no personal beef with anyone on what they use.
If Amsoil is workin' for ya... go ahead and use it. Post your positive experiences as well. The board is to learn and I have been shown to be wrong more than once. When Im wrong I will say it.
In another thread I did say that some Amsoil oils are API licensed.
The fully synthetic line in 15w40 or 5w30 for diesel engines is not.
Don~
I just checked my 97 manual and it does in fact say "conforming to". You are correct. I originally checked my 95 manual and the text is totally different and says what I said it did. So, we are both correct on this one.
My 97 manual does show the API "donut" and then asks to use oils conforming to the API standards. It sounds like they want an API licensed or certified oil to me. You guys can do what makes ya happy. I have no personal beef with anyone on what they use.
If Amsoil is workin' for ya... go ahead and use it. Post your positive experiences as well. The board is to learn and I have been shown to be wrong more than once. When Im wrong I will say it.
In another thread I did say that some Amsoil oils are API licensed.
The fully synthetic line in 15w40 or 5w30 for diesel engines is not.
Don~
Cobrajet,
You seem to have some exprience as a user here.
Maybe you could tell has how many leaks started immediatly after changing over.
Gene
You seem to have some exprience as a user here.
Maybe you could tell has how many leaks started immediatly after changing over.
Gene
MGM,
The 93 is pretty much wet from the front to the back. I drove the truck for 160K. It has always had oil all over it. The stupid overflow hose hanging down gets the stuff everywhere. There are no topside leaks. The transmission and rearend do not leak. It has had 2 clutches. The rearend fluid has been changed twice. No problems with the transmission or rearend. The truck runs great. It is turned up a little... 75HP or so.
The 96 PSD has no real leaks. The valve covers have been off a couple of times for glow plug issues, so they get redone everytime. The bottom end has no persistant leaks at all. The truck has had a very easy 285K HWY miles towing very LITTLE. The auto trany lost OD at around 240K. It has been rebuilt. It does not leak. The rearend fluid has been changed a couple of times and does not leak.
The 99. 5 PSD is dry as can be. It has Asmoil everywhere you can put the stuff. I get a little bit of blowby at the intercooler hoses, but it was there before I started with Amsoil... at around 15K. The truck has 82K miles and tows something almost evertime it is driven. Over 20K towing a 14K fiver around the country with a wife and two kids... . GREAT TRUCK!!
The 01 Cummins has no leaks. I have a lot of residue around the front cover down by that stupid bottle, but that is pretty common regardless of oil type. I'll look for anything new in about 5K miles or if spots show up in the driveway... . I doubt it. The truck is used for work and rarely tows... just a lot of highway miles... 50-60K a year.
My wifes 01 Suburban with 17K has had Amsoil in it since 3K miles. It does not leak anywhere. It is a 5. 3 gasser. It will soon be an 03 Excursion with the new G2 PSD..... I have been trying to get her in a diesel for two years... I finally succeeded!
I do think that synthetics can cause an existing leak to leak faster, but that is really not the oils fault... fix the leak. I started using the oil when I owned a Buick GNX. I have owned so many turboed and Supercharged cars in the last 10 years I have kept with it. We have had it in a Turbo Gas beetle, a Supercharged Millenia S, a 1980 Indy T/A with the 301 Turbo. . a real dog, without any leaks or issues. I will keep using it. I am a dealer, but I don't sell the stuff to anyone for more than I pay for it. I have about 8 people who use it regularly and love it... no leaks from their trucks or cars... . not that I have heard about anyway... . CJ
The 93 is pretty much wet from the front to the back. I drove the truck for 160K. It has always had oil all over it. The stupid overflow hose hanging down gets the stuff everywhere. There are no topside leaks. The transmission and rearend do not leak. It has had 2 clutches. The rearend fluid has been changed twice. No problems with the transmission or rearend. The truck runs great. It is turned up a little... 75HP or so.
The 96 PSD has no real leaks. The valve covers have been off a couple of times for glow plug issues, so they get redone everytime. The bottom end has no persistant leaks at all. The truck has had a very easy 285K HWY miles towing very LITTLE. The auto trany lost OD at around 240K. It has been rebuilt. It does not leak. The rearend fluid has been changed a couple of times and does not leak.
The 99. 5 PSD is dry as can be. It has Asmoil everywhere you can put the stuff. I get a little bit of blowby at the intercooler hoses, but it was there before I started with Amsoil... at around 15K. The truck has 82K miles and tows something almost evertime it is driven. Over 20K towing a 14K fiver around the country with a wife and two kids... . GREAT TRUCK!!
The 01 Cummins has no leaks. I have a lot of residue around the front cover down by that stupid bottle, but that is pretty common regardless of oil type. I'll look for anything new in about 5K miles or if spots show up in the driveway... . I doubt it. The truck is used for work and rarely tows... just a lot of highway miles... 50-60K a year.
My wifes 01 Suburban with 17K has had Amsoil in it since 3K miles. It does not leak anywhere. It is a 5. 3 gasser. It will soon be an 03 Excursion with the new G2 PSD..... I have been trying to get her in a diesel for two years... I finally succeeded!
I do think that synthetics can cause an existing leak to leak faster, but that is really not the oils fault... fix the leak. I started using the oil when I owned a Buick GNX. I have owned so many turboed and Supercharged cars in the last 10 years I have kept with it. We have had it in a Turbo Gas beetle, a Supercharged Millenia S, a 1980 Indy T/A with the 301 Turbo. . a real dog, without any leaks or issues. I will keep using it. I am a dealer, but I don't sell the stuff to anyone for more than I pay for it. I have about 8 people who use it regularly and love it... no leaks from their trucks or cars... . not that I have heard about anyway... . CJ
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