When do I need an oil change?

DustyWV wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:
Most guys on the Chevy pickup forums wait until 20-25% as indicated by the OLM.



I am waiting for the 3,000 mile oil change crowd to chime in to indicate how they waste their money....

X2

I usually change my Duramax at 25% to 20%, usually works out to apx 7000 miles.

That's not a bad interval-although with a UOA you could probably go further.

dodge guy wrote:

smkettner wrote:
^^^^^ I bet never changed or checked in 10k mile intervals. Let the oil run low for 25,000 and what do you expect. I saw lots of construction truck maintained just like this one. Too busy making money to bother. Never blinked an eye at the repair bills, just how soon can it be back on the road.

If black oil was a sign to change oil the diesel guys would be changing oil once a week.

Nope. A diesel is a completely different animal than gas! After a diesel oil change the oil is almost black after a week. Not so much with the newer ones however. But still dirty oil is dirty oil!

My 2001 7.3L oil doesn't get black I'm due for a change now and it looks almost the same color as when it went in. I change it every 5-6k.

dodge guy wrote:

05 F350 with a small dump bed, 5.4L gas with 92k miles. engine is noisy when warm. customer said he changes the oil (he thinks) every 8-10k miles :S . inside the engine is black and there is some sludge, oil is very dirty! I will get a pic tomorrow. truck doesn`t look to be beat on and in decent shape. just no regular maintenance.

I know I`m beating my head against the wall here, but for those that wonder about changing your oil sooner and keep asking why should I, well here is 6000 ($$$$$) reasons to spend $30 on an oil change every 3-5k miles! and keep up on other maintenance too.

My brother in law has a similar method of oil changes. He came over for a kids birthday party and when he pulled in the driveway I thought his engine sounded strange (we both had the same car at the time) I checked the oil and it wasn't even on the dipstick it took 4.5L of oil to top it off it takes 4.8L to change it. I asked him when he last changed it and he said he JUST had it changed. A few more questions and JUST changed was over a year ago.

Judgement is very important when changing your oil, if you change based on the computer and your oils black you should consider changing it more regularly if it seems to be good continue to flooow it. I normally change it when it is at 25% usually around 5000 miles But I have run it down to 3% once.

tim and amy wrote:


Next for you people using Synthetic oil. NEVER NEVER switch back to conventional oil. If you do, you will eventually ruin your engine. The synthetic oil will block normal oil from entering microscopic areas of bearing surfaces. So if your vehicle runs conventional oil and you think it is a good idea to switch, don't. Unless you plan on having $100+ oil changes every time.

Where did you hear this? Every oil manufacturer says it is fine to switch between synthetic and conventional.

CKNSLS wrote:
Most guys on the Chevy pickup forums wait until 20-25% as indicated by the OLM.



I am waiting for the 3,000 mile oil change crowd to chime in to indicate how they waste their money....

X2

I usually change my Duramax at 25% to 20%, usually works out to apx 7000 miles.

smkettner wrote:
^^^^^ I bet never changed or checked in 10k mile intervals. Let the oil run low for 25,000 and what do you expect. I saw lots of construction truck maintained just like this one. Too busy making money to bother. Never blinked an eye at the repair bills, just how soon can it be back on the road.

If black oil was a sign to change oil the diesel guys would be changing oil once a week.

Nope. A diesel is a completely different animal than gas! After a diesel oil change the oil is almost black after a week. Not so much with the newer ones however. But still dirty oil is dirty oil!

^^^^^ I bet never changed or checked in 10k mile intervals. Let the oil run low for 25,000 and what do you expect. I saw lots of construction truck maintained just like this one. Too busy making money to bother. Never blinked an eye at the repair bills, just how soon can it be back on the road.

If black oil was a sign to change oil the diesel guys would be changing oil once a week.

Pontification comments ahead. Customer "said" - "he thinks".


Sure he changed it...................



Your pontification comments welcome.....

Well I told myself I was going to stay away from the oil change posts, but this showed up the other day and I started on it today. had to post about it! :R



05 F350 with a small dump bed, 5.4L gas with 92k miles. engine is noisy when warm. customer said he changes the oil (he thinks) every 8-10k miles :S . inside the engine is black and there is some sludge, oil is very dirty! I will get a pic tomorrow. truck doesn`t look to be beat on and in decent shape. just no regular maintenance.

I know I`m beating my head against the wall here, but for those that wonder about changing your oil sooner and keep asking why should I, well here is 6000 ($$$$$) reasons to spend $30 on an oil change every 3-5k miles! and keep up on other maintenance too.

Wow, I ask a question and get 3 pages of answers.

The end of the story. I don't change oil myself. The dealer couldn't do it until this week. So we start the trip at 44% oil life, go 1000 miles of open road driving, and come home at 33% oil life.

No problems, no complaints. Thanks guys.