Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Severe service definition, new addition?

[Pit Bull]

Noticed in the 2002 owners manual that they now show as severe service (which requires 3750 mile oil and filter changes) that anytime the outside temp gets to 32 degrees or below. That is a new one on me?? My 2000 service manual did not have this requirement. Is this a new way for the Dealer to get out of any warranty claim on the CTD? Also it does not make sense. Your going along and you have 5000 miles on your oil, it gets down to 32 degrees and you need to change your oil. Then if it hits 32 degrees or less again during that change interval you would need to change it again after 3750 miles. What do you guys think about this? This temp. rule would be the only thing that would throw me into the 3750 oil change interval. I can live with it it just seems weird.

 

[HC]

Makes some sense that at colder temps, engine would spend more time condensing moisture. I think if you have a lot of "road miles", I would ignore this new definition; if you have an "average" amount of "around town, short trip" driving, I'd heed the new advice and change more often. As they move toward saying 15k per change is "OK", they are going to have to be more careful about listing the conditions for drivers who shouldn't go that long. In other words, they will define "severe service" more carefully to prevent problems...

 

[Pit Bull]

HC I agree with your analysis. I wonder what it says for the 03's? they advertise 15K oil changes but I wonder if they include this is the severe service definition and then say 3750 miles?

 

[JJW_ND]

5K is pretty conservative already!

Having tested rotella, PB2000 and several synthetics under severe pulling and towing, extreme cold (not above zero for 30 days) and all in town short trips (never got temp into the normal for 15 days straight) I have never seen any problems with oil out to 6K. Many of more severe samples had 18 or even 24K on the same oil.



Unless you only put on 5K per year I would change it once per year. Otherwise 6K changes are pretty conservative. I would speculate that any good diesel oil will go 10K between changes. Add a filter change at 5K for piece of mind.



All this goes out the window when your truck makes 400hp and you use it every day because you like to see lots of black smoke.



jjw

ND

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: 5K is pretty conservative already!

Originally posted by JJW-ND



Unless you only put on 5K per year I would change it once per year. Otherwise 6K changes are pretty conservative. I would speculate that any good diesel oil will go 10K between changes. Add a filter change at 5K for piece of mind.

jjw

ND

I totally agree with you, what I am saying is DC is making it a requirement to change at 3750 miles if the temp. outside hits 32 degrees or below during that oil change cycle. What I am saying is it looks like it gives them an out (on warranty coverage) if you drive 5000 miles and it got down to below 32 and you did not have documentation that you changed the oil and filter according to the severe service schledule. Same rational that they would use if you drive 20,000 miles between changes and had the engine fail. DC could void your warranty. I'm just wondering if this is a loop hole they put in for themselves? Like you I don't see any reason for this to be added. If anyone has an 03 please check your owners manual and let us know how this is addressed.

Thanks

 

[TNT]

I change mine every 3K. Oil and filters are pretty cheap insurance.