Oil Change...8,000+ Miles?
O.k., I usually pay close attention to items of maintenance but with my son driving the truck half the time (I opt for my motorcycle during most of the Spring, Summer and Fall) I wasn't keeping close ...
Forum Discussion
With today's engines (better alloys, better lubrication system, tighter tolerances) and current motor oils the service intervals are much greater than 40 years ago and most people change their oil much more often than is necessary to no benefit except the profits of the oil companies and quick lube places.
There is the concept of "duty cycle" and "severe duty" and to me towing a heavy trailer is severe duty. With GM if this 100% on the highway then the service interval is half as long and if it is in construction and off the highway than the interval is shorter by 75%.
With my truck I figure half the use is in the highway severe duty and the other half is light so I adjusted my service interval by 25%. So instead of going by the computer recommended interval of 10k miles I change the oil every 7500 miles. I have a diesel engine though with the DPF which puts more soot and sludge into the oil. I would be less concerned if the truck had a gas engine.
But with the shorter interval I use only mineral base stock motor oil and do not waste money on synthetic base oils which at the 5W40 formulation are inferior anyway.
There is the concept of "duty cycle" and "severe duty" and to me towing a heavy trailer is severe duty. With GM if this 100% on the highway then the service interval is half as long and if it is in construction and off the highway than the interval is shorter by 75%.
With my truck I figure half the use is in the highway severe duty and the other half is light so I adjusted my service interval by 25%. So instead of going by the computer recommended interval of 10k miles I change the oil every 7500 miles. I have a diesel engine though with the DPF which puts more soot and sludge into the oil. I would be less concerned if the truck had a gas engine.
But with the shorter interval I use only mineral base stock motor oil and do not waste money on synthetic base oils which at the 5W40 formulation are inferior anyway.
