One mechanics opinion about oil

No one ever ruined an engine by changing the oil too soon!

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I change my oil & filter every 5000 miles whether it needs it or not.....:B

Seriously
I DO....local dealer does it for $59.99
12 qts Rotella T4 15W-40 DINO OIL and Filter

Oil is a cheap commodity......change it often

I pretty well do the same. I use Mobil synthetic in my gas engine. My philosophy is the same as yours, regarding oil. My oil change regimen is to get oil changes sooner, than recommended by the factory.

I always use factory oil filters, and change filters every oil change. I also check oil level on a weekly bass, or daily basis if on a long trip. I check when cold in the morning, and make sure vehicle is level.

The last engine I had trouble with due to an oil related failure, was an old Volvo engine, in 1971, which was my fault.

OK and here is my opinion.

I run a top quality synthetic (Mobile 1) and go twice the recommended interval. Top off as needed. Change on miles only, never time.

Still burns same oil as when brand new after 18 years and 200,000 miles.

BarabooBob wrote:
I just had my oil changed at the Ford dealer (first 3 oil changes free because I bought it there) and when I picked it up, the service department manager told me that I was good for 3,000 miles or 3 months. Talk about selling service where it is not needed. The F150 owners manual says to change the oil according to the on dash display, or one year, or 10,000-whichever comes first.
I think that I will go by the Ford engineers recommendations. I do shorten those numbers up a bit, but not by much.

That’s what Ford wants. You go by thier “recommendations” and you will be buying a new truck sooner!

What I find funny is the amount of people that use the manuf tow ratings and deduct a percentage for safe towing, yet when it comes to maintenance they throw the recommendations out the window and push the maintenance as far as possible!

IMO...just go with your OEM's recommendation and note that normally there are two service levels/schedules. Don't follow your OEM's recommendation...yup it is a free country...then your OEM can deny warranty if an oil based issue arises if you did not follow their recommendation

One is for mud hens and other for severe duty. Towing is severe duty

Me...change it when one of three things happen

#1 Oil PSI either fluctuates or drops...means the oil is breaking down
#2 Oil consumption...means the oil is breaking down
#3 depending which vehicle, number of miles since last change


Not a fan of oil analysis....rather spend that money on high spec oil and filters. I'll do it if suspect something is up, but to date have not done so...know it is time to rebuild my big block...soon. It still runs well, does not consume oil (unless beat the poop out of it), but the PSI is down a bit (idle is +45PSI and at speed +70PSI...down from +50PSI idle and pegged at highway speeds)


Material science has really improved everything, including oil...but still add molybdenum disulfide (<2 micron) every once in a while...have some tungsten disulfide powder, but haven't had time to do a good test cycle yet.

Actually doing oil analysis, as shown above, shows that oil is good for much much much longer than "opinions".

There’s a good chance the tech had the battery disconnected when he opened up the valve cover, and thus couldn’t see the digital odometer reading

Ozlander wrote:
Just because he owns a wrench doesn't make him an oil expert.

This. That guys opinion is no more valid or reliable than my neighbors.

I've asked my cousin which brand he and the other diesel techs at the shop run and it was basically the conventional oil that the dealer sold

Probably because they got it for nothing.

Just because he owns a wrench doesn't make him an oil expert.