Oil Change interval based on time
Hi everyone. I did a search for oil changes based on time and not mileage and didn't find much so I thought I'd ask. I'd like to get some opinions on how often to get an oil change based on time. ...
Forum Discussion
mtrumpet wrote:scrubjaysnest wrote:
We always followed the rule 3 months or 3 thousand miles for our vehicles.
Yes, for everyday driver vehicles. But the OP is referring to a Class A Diesel with 19 quarts of oil and one very large filter. That would get real expensive, real quick if done every three months.
My Cummins manual recommends oil be changed every 15,000 miles or 1 year whichever comes first. I don't drive near 15,000 miles per season and I can't see dumping 19 quarts of oil just because the calendar says so. Plus, my rig is stored in a heated building all winter, therefore it doesn't see the drastic temp changes.
Typically, I'll change mine at 18 to 24 months. I once had my engine oil analyzed at 18 months and it came back good. I know some fellows that haven't changed their oil in 3 years. Another can't even remember when he changed his last (not recommended!).
Some will say that you should change your oil every year regardless of usage. While that certainly wouldn't hurt at all, is that really necessary to do so on short intervals, especially if the rig is driven only a few thousand miles per year? My opinion is no. But, that's only MY opinion and not a scientifically based answer.;)
This is almost exactly what I do. The first couple of years I did it once a year, now I'm probably at 18 month intervals. For example I changed at the end of the summer season last year, so the next change will be the beginning of the summer season in 2017. Even though it's been 7 months since the last oil change, I've probably only put 300 miles on it.
