It seems to me that most everything you read talks about changing your oil every so many miles or every twelve months. I run Mobil 1 synthetic in my Ford V10 motorhome and typically change it every 5,000 miles. Upon occasion, more than a year will pass without me racking up 5,000 miles. However, since I drive the rig often and it gets up to operating temperature for extended periods of time, I'm thinking that the one year "limit" is essentially meaningless.Thoughts?

Mike Schriber wrote:It seems to me that most everything you read talks about changing your oil every so many miles or every twelve months. I run Mobil 1 synthetic in my Ford V10 motorhome and typically change it every 5,000 miles. Upon occasion, more than a year will pass without me racking up 5,000 miles. However, since I drive the rig often and it gets up to operating temperature for extended periods of time, I'm thinking that the one year "limit" is essentially meaningless.Thoughts?it may be overkill but i change oil in our gasser every 6-mos/5000 miles, whichever comes first. it's not a bad thing to change your oil frequently.

I have been doing EXACTLY that for years ! Most 5000 mile oil changes happen between 1 and 2 years. In 130k miles, it has NEVER used more than 1 additional quart.

I have been changing the oil once a year, with less than 5000 miles. I have just switched to oil changing in the fall instead of the spring because my old mechanic friend figures old oil gets acidic and may damage important surfaces in the engine. I, too, drive it 30 km every month in winter. It seems there is at least a day in every month with an above freezing temperature.

Your maintenance schedule spells out what you should do.

I think mostly the mileage is a general hope for a time frame. Because engines, well most engines, don't come with a running meter on them, they use mileage. It's very likely for an engine to enjoy low mileage oil changes when the hour meter gets high, stop and go traffic, short and slow trips. But if you like to drive and enjoy taking the slower back roads, keep the power needs down, but run up the miles... why not get a little extra out of a good oil? Engines like to run at medium power steadily for miles, but short and choppy, or pedal to the metal uphills and high speeds take their toll.

Thoughts on oil change intervals (time, not mileage)

46 Replies

John___Angela
Explorer
Jan 29, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
Many years ago, a friend got a new 81 F150. He ran the wheels off of it. In over 120K he changed the oil 3 times... And that was with used oil he brought home from work in 2 liter pop bottles. He said he got it from the mechanics oil dump, from when they changed the oil on the Catapillars.
That motor never skipped a beat as long as he had it.

My dad used to do that with his little datsun truck. It never saw new oil. :)
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 29, 2017
Many years ago, a friend got a new 81 F150. He ran the wheels off of it. In over 120K he changed the oil 3 times... And that was with used oil he brought home from work in 2 liter pop bottles. He said he got it from the mechanics oil dump, from when they changed the oil on the Catapillars.
That motor never skipped a beat as long as he had it.
jfkmk
Explorer
Jan 29, 2017
I'm baffled by some folk's reluctance to perform basic maintenance per manufacturer's recommendations. These basic maintenance items are cheap insurance to keep vehicles running optimally.

For those quoting "too-often" oil changes, don't forget there's been great advancements in engine tolerances and oil specifications. The 3000 mile oil change is a thing of the past. Most manufacturers recommendations are 7500 or even 15000 miles. I don't think they're trying to perform needless maintenance.

I do my own oil changes and even at 7 quarts, an oil change cost me less than $40 using Mobil 1. I'll gladly invest $40 per year into my vehicle.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
DrewE wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Can anyone tell me what year "round cylinder bores" were invented ?

Based on Knight's American Mechanical Dictionary, it seems that the first steam engine to use a piston and cylinder such as we would recognize was probably Newcomen's steam engine introduced in 1705. Pumps had used (presumably round) cylinders for much, much longer, dating back at least to Hero (ca. 150 BC).
Remember that Mobil 1 was introduced many years ago. Engines run much cleaner now than they did then. I expect that the combustion by-products are cleaner and there is much less of them with the advent of round cylinder bores and other such things.

Was that before or after Mobil 1 ?
DrewE
Explorer II
Jan 28, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
Can anyone tell me what year "round cylinder bores" were invented ?

Based on Knight's American Mechanical Dictionary, it seems that the first steam engine to use a piston and cylinder such as we would recognize was probably Newcomen's steam engine introduced in 1705. Pumps had used (presumably round) cylinders for much, much longer, dating back at least to Hero (ca. 150 BC).
John___Angela
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
westend wrote:
John & Angela wrote:
Chum lee wrote:
CJW8 wrote:
You can have it analyzed at one year and the analysis will tell you if you need to change it.

But the analysis costs more than if you just change the oil and filter. (yourself) Then you KNOW you are good to go. Doesn't anyone think that the engineers at Ford (and others) have already done 1,000's of oil analysis tests prior to coming up with their oil change recommendations on the V10? The $39.95 ICP (Inductive Coupled Plasma) analysis that the common man pays for doesn't tell you what you need to know. It is a scam. A comparative series of ICP tests is more valid but still not FTIR. (google FTIR if interested) Only those with more than 2 years college level general chemistry including qualitative and quantitative analysis need respond.

Chum lee

Good morning. Re the manufacturers recommendations. Here is another point of view. Many of us who drive BEV's (battery electric vehicles) enjoy the fact that we have very little maintenance to do. No oil changes, no filters, hoses, belts, air filters, spark plugs, wires etc. However, we still have brake fluid and brake pads. Many owners of various brands have noticed that the maintenance schedule for the few items that need maintenance is much more often than the equivalent ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle. Why would this be? Speculation is that it is the only way the dealership can make some follow up money. Some manufacturers suggesting brake fluid changes at 4 times the frequency of thermic vehicles. Pretty much every body ignores the schedules. Brakes in an electric vehicle get very little use as they all use regenerative braking. One of the reasons dealerships try hard not to sell electrics is because they will probably rarely see the person after the vehicle is sold

So no. I think the oil change schedule of many manufacturers is more often that it really needs to be.

JMHO. I'm not an expert in anything. :)
I agree with both Chum and John. The simple fact is that a dealer is going to make more money on service and repair than he does on sales.

Although, it's difficult to maintain or repair what can't be seen. I was taught that the most important skill of an automotive technician is observation. Texaco knew this back in the day when the pump jockeys were taught the "5 Star" customer service routine. Every hood on every vehicle getting gas was opened and an inspection of battery. belts, and hoses was undertaken. Stations were graded on TBA sales.
Now that we have self-service pumping, an owner, typically, never opens the hood.

FWIW, my SIL asked me to replenish the windshield washer fluid in her car one day. I opened the hood to find all the dipsticks loose, on top of the engine, and the airfilter housing unfastened. She had been in to the dealer for routine service just a few days before.

Point being, even if you extend service intervals, it may behoove an owner to open the hood and observe.

I think in some regards it gets even "scarier" in the future. Unethical dealers may try to "generate" work for their shop by purposely finding faults that don't exist. This has been reported to have happened already. Right now the percentage of new vehicle sales from a Nissan dealer (for example) is only a couple percent. But remember, electric vehicle sales are almost doubling every year now. Faster than that in europe. When they are at 50 percent of sales how many technicians does a shop need? Some Leaf owners have never in 5 or 6 years had their vehicle in for service or only bring it in when it is time for new tires. I think the temptation will be there to "generate" business. Same as too frequent oil changes in the past.

Off topic slightly. Mechanics themselves are going to see a whole different kind of training as well. When a vehicle has 18 moving parts they will have to find something else to teach them during the four year schooling apprenticeship program. Not to mention Napa is going to have to find something else to sell. :)
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
Can anyone tell me what year "round cylinder bores" were invented ?
westend
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
John & Angela wrote:
Chum lee wrote:
CJW8 wrote:
You can have it analyzed at one year and the analysis will tell you if you need to change it.

But the analysis costs more than if you just change the oil and filter. (yourself) Then you KNOW you are good to go. Doesn't anyone think that the engineers at Ford (and others) have already done 1,000's of oil analysis tests prior to coming up with their oil change recommendations on the V10? The $39.95 ICP (Inductive Coupled Plasma) analysis that the common man pays for doesn't tell you what you need to know. It is a scam. A comparative series of ICP tests is more valid but still not FTIR. (google FTIR if interested) Only those with more than 2 years college level general chemistry including qualitative and quantitative analysis need respond.

Chum lee

Good morning. Re the manufacturers recommendations. Here is another point of view. Many of us who drive BEV's (battery electric vehicles) enjoy the fact that we have very little maintenance to do. No oil changes, no filters, hoses, belts, air filters, spark plugs, wires etc. However, we still have brake fluid and brake pads. Many owners of various brands have noticed that the maintenance schedule for the few items that need maintenance is much more often than the equivalent ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle. Why would this be? Speculation is that it is the only way the dealership can make some follow up money. Some manufacturers suggesting brake fluid changes at 4 times the frequency of thermic vehicles. Pretty much every body ignores the schedules. Brakes in an electric vehicle get very little use as they all use regenerative braking. One of the reasons dealerships try hard not to sell electrics is because they will probably rarely see the person after the vehicle is sold

So no. I think the oil change schedule of many manufacturers is more often that it really needs to be.

JMHO. I'm not an expert in anything. :)
I agree with both Chum and John. The simple fact is that a dealer is going to make more money on service and repair than he does on sales.

Although, it's difficult to maintain or repair what can't be seen. I was taught that the most important skill of an automotive technician is observation. Texaco knew this back in the day when the pump jockeys were taught the "5 Star" customer service routine. Every hood on every vehicle getting gas was opened and an inspection of battery. belts, and hoses was undertaken. Stations were graded on TBA sales.
Now that we have self-service pumping, an owner, typically, never opens the hood.

FWIW, my SIL asked me to replenish the windshield washer fluid in her car one day. I opened the hood to find all the dipsticks loose, on top of the engine, and the airfilter housing unfastened. She had been in to the dealer for routine service just a few days before.

Point being, even if you extend service intervals, it may behoove an owner to open the hood and observe.
John___Angela
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
Chum lee wrote:
CJW8 wrote:
You can have it analyzed at one year and the analysis will tell you if you need to change it.

But the analysis costs more than if you just change the oil and filter. (yourself) Then you KNOW you are good to go. Doesn't anyone think that the engineers at Ford (and others) have already done 1,000's of oil analysis tests prior to coming up with their oil change recommendations on the V10? The $39.95 ICP (Inductive Coupled Plasma) analysis that the common man pays for doesn't tell you what you need to know. It is a scam. A comparative series of ICP tests is more valid but still not FTIR. (google FTIR if interested) Only those with more than 2 years college level general chemistry including qualitative and quantitative analysis need respond.

Chum lee

Good morning. Re the manufacturers recommendations. Here is another point of view. Many of us who drive BEV's (battery electric vehicles) enjoy the fact that we have very little maintenance to do. No oil changes, no filters, hoses, belts, air filters, spark plugs, wires etc. However, we still have brake fluid and brake pads. Many owners of various brands have noticed that the maintenance schedule for the few items that need maintenance is much more often than the equivalent ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle. Why would this be? Speculation is that it is the only way the dealership can make some follow up money. Some manufacturers suggesting brake fluid changes at 4 times the frequency of thermic vehicles. Pretty much every body ignores the schedules. Brakes in an electric vehicle get very little use as they all use regenerative braking. One of the reasons dealerships try hard not to sell electrics is because they will probably rarely see the person after the vehicle is sold

So no. I think the oil change schedule of many manufacturers is more often that it really needs to be.

JMHO. I'm not an expert in anything. :)
Chum_lee
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
CJW8 wrote:
You can have it analyzed at one year and the analysis will tell you if you need to change it.

But the analysis costs more than if you just change the oil and filter. (yourself) Then you KNOW you are good to go. Doesn't anyone think that the engineers at Ford (and others) have already done 1,000's of oil analysis tests prior to coming up with their oil change recommendations on the V10? The $39.95 ICP (Inductive Coupled Plasma) analysis that the common man pays for doesn't tell you what you need to know. It is a scam. A comparative series of ICP tests is more valid but still not FTIR. (google FTIR if interested) Only those with more than 2 years college level general chemistry including qualitative and quantitative analysis need respond.

Chum lee