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 track of mileage since my last oil change.That being the case the last time I changed the oil was before our trip from NY to FL (Ft. Wilderness) in March. I couldn't remember the mileage at the time but we're now in August and I'm thinking it has to be time for another oil change.I get in the truck on Saturday and the computerized system is telling me another 11% of usage before a change is need. I'm thinking "close enough" and take it to my regular shop to get the oil changed. When the clerk hands me the receipt it says last changed in March at 50,000 miles with the current mileage being 58,000! I'm thinking the computer has to be screwed up and I get out the owners manual to check the maintenance schedule.Well the manual says the computer determines when the oil should be changed based on vehicle usage and how you drive, but 8,000+ miles seems excessive to me. My concern was the warranty (still covered under an extended warranty) but apparently if you drive like the typical grandmother (no offense) GM doesn't think so.

I think the longer change intervals are a testament to the improvements made in motor oils.I used to be a guy that religiously changed oil every 3000mi...went to synthetic, stretched that to 5000mi...now I'm back on dyno oil (again, much better than it used to be) and changing on a twice-a-year, 7500mi schedule.Can't imagine you did one iota of damage to that engine by going 8000mi, and in my eyes your computer verifies that by stating you have 11% life still left.

Is it possible the oil life % was reset without you knowing it, which restrted the counter at 100% ... say after 4000 miles, or something like that.In all my Chevy's (including my car), to reset the oil life %, you turn the key over, but do not engage the engine. You then press the gas peddal 3 times in a row to the floor and stop. This resets the oil %. You then start the vehicle normal.It's possible someone could have pushed the peddal 3 times in a row before actually turning the key over. Older (much older) vehicles, you use to have to pump the gas peddal first to pump the gas to the carberator. Sometimes (and I'm old enough to remember this), even I have a tendency to pump first (when it's completely not necessary). That's just part of my eary teen years I guess.Anyway, I wonder if the oil % got reset without you knowing.

I would not worry about it at all. You do not say what vehicle it is but many modern vehicles are rated for 7500 miles or more. Modern oils are so much better than their predecessors and many people end up throwing away perfectly good oil by changing to early. I go 15000 miles on my 7.3 and my uoa's come back fine. Recently went 9500 on my 6.7 and uoa was also fine (a little dilution).If you want you can read more at BITOG

I'm assuming yours is a diesel. If so, I wouldn't worry about it either.

8000 miles with the DIC showing 11% left sounds about right.I changed mine with around 20% and I had 6500 on the clock.Probably could have gone more, but we were starting a long trip so I drained it and start the trip with fresh oil.

Oil Change...8,000+ Miles? | Good Sam Community

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
NC Hauler wrote:
..My 2013 Rams owners manual states the truck can go 15,000 mile before needing an oil change. I will use the EVIC (electronic vehicle information center) and see how long I go before it recommends an oil change and go by it.

Jim do you have any idea when you OLMS is going to go off in your new truck? IOW's if you have 7,500 on it now is it at 50% on the OLMS?
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
..My 2013 Rams owners manual states the truck can go 15,000 mile before needing an oil change. I will use the EVIC (electronic vehicle information center) and see how long I go before it recommends an oil change and go by it.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
dodge guy wrote:
I`ve seen the inside of engines adhered to the 10k mile interval! no thank you! I`ll stick to my 4-5k mile interval on Mobil 1. I know my truck is properly taken care of.

From Mobil One's website:
Mobil 1™ Extended Performance
Designed for longer service intervals, Mobil 1 Extended Performance motor oil is an advanced full synthetic formulation that helps extend engine life, reduce oil breakdown and minimize engine wear – keeping your engine running like new. With proven protection for 15,000 miles between oil changes. Guaranteed.

At the cost of Syn oils why would you waste your money. I have never seen an engine run on Full Syn fail from oil sludge build up. Now if your running a blend or plain dyno oil yes you had better be changing that oil every 3000 miles.

Don
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2013
I`ve seen the inside of engines adhered to the 10k mile interval! no thank you! I`ll stick to my 4-5k mile interval on Mobil 1. I know my truck is properly taken care of.
RAS43
Explorer III
Aug 06, 2013
2edgesword wrote:
I guess I need to get my head out of the 1970's and into the 21st century.

Yes, APT stated it right on. Better components, computers, and oils means less time and $ doing changes. I am a believer!
harmanrk
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
So the manual says trust the computer. The computer says 89% used, 11% to go. It is what it is. My Expy asks for a change between 8 an 10 thousand dependign on how I drive. The Civic asks at around 8500-9000, mind you that is 3.9 quarts at a time, with filter changes.

The 3000 mile oil change came from the oil companies. Guess what, the more often you change, the more money they make. The computer factors in Engine Temp, RPM, Throttle, Load, and Durration, and lets you know when the engine needs new oil. if it says you are okay, you are okay.
ghostrider421
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
2edgesword wrote:
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 track of mileage since my last oil change. Well the manual says the computer determines when the oil should be changed based on vehicle usage and how you drive, but 8,000+ miles seems excessive to me. My concern was the warranty (still covered under an extended warranty) but apparently if you drive like the typical grandmother (no offense) GM doesn't think so.

Not excessive, when the computer tells you - 11% remaining. I would not worry about the warranty.

I use Napa Full Synthetic (5W20) in my Dodge 4.7L flex fueler. I change with a Napa Gold oil filter every 9,000km and do a full change-out at 18,000km. That's the mfgr's recommendation - every 9000km.
2edgesword
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
I guess I need to get my head out of the 1970's and into the 21st century.
APT
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
I changed my Suburban the first time at about 6500 miles, with 20% remaining oil life according to the computer, prior to a 2500+ mile trip. Next time was around 14k miles, then 22k, then 29k.

Improvements in manufacturing, better sensors and monitoring by engine computers, and better oils (GM requires Dexos approval) all have lead to higher oil change intervals.

My 2011 Malibu 4-cyl goes about every 10k miles. My diesel Passat is 1-yr or 10k miles fixed.
camping_man
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
I'd go 10k on my Cummins , but the manual say 15k is OK too.

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Oil Change...8,000+ Miles?

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