When do I need an oil change?

Good luck to those of you that are driving a ticking time bomb, no pun intended! :B

I will keep up with my excellent maintanance history. None of my engines have ever failed. I'de rather be cautious. Just like those that only use 80% of their towing capacity.

Let's face it.....the back in the days philosophy permeates this board. Unneeded frequent oil changes, the new DEF Systems are bad (they have been around in Europe for years) half tons can just tow pop-ups, Carlisle tires twenty years ago were junk-that makes the new and improved ones junk too, You need LT tires on a half-ton pickup to tow properly,Maxxis Tires are the greatest gift to the travel trailer towing community... etc.,etc.

I traded my totally reliable Honda Element with 186,000 miles on it for my new diesel truck last year. Only changed oil (dino version) when the OLM told me to. The engine sounded like it was brand new, it ran perfectly, and did not burn any oil between changes - and I do check that. Guess I was lucky too ?

CKNSLS wrote:

dodge guy wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

ExxWhy wrote:
I'm an OLM adherent, except I do like to change the oil early on a new engine. (1000 miles or so)

FWIW, 180K on the wife's Impala following the OLM down to 5% and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Still goes through a pint of oil between changes that often run 8-9000 miles. Sounds and feels like new, and gets the same fuel mileage as new.

No OLM on my Excursion V10, but had the oil tested after a 7500 mile oil change. Lab said it was good to go for more.

Of course it depends on how it's driven, in my case it's very little city driving and the majority of the time trips of 25 miles or more.

Never had any internal engine issues (knock knock knock on wood) in the million miles or so I have put on various vehicles I have owned over the years. Small sample in the grand scheme of things, but it's what I have to work with.

Thanks for your post. You are proof that the OLMs work as they are designed to do, and changing oil any earlier is a waste of time and money.

Or more than he likely he is just lucky and in the minority that he has avoided any problems!

Ddoge guy-just keep changing your oil like you did twenty years ago if it makes you sleep better at night. It's your money and time!

Hummmmmmmmmm......

I will tell you that OLM systems vary a lot. Our old 2006 Pontiac (GM orphan) Montana would drop to needing an oil change at 2200 miles (3400 Km) when used in very cold conditions on our 10 mile commute. Our 2014 Jeep Cherokee is at 1500 miles (2400 Km) and the OLM says it still has 75% life remaining - that should mean about 6000 miles (10,000 Km) between changes for the Jeep.

The only way the Van ever went that far on an OCI was when we drove it down to Arizona from Canada. Not short trips and no cold weather.

dodge guy wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

ExxWhy wrote:
I'm an OLM adherent, except I do like to change the oil early on a new engine. (1000 miles or so)

FWIW, 180K on the wife's Impala following the OLM down to 5% and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Still goes through a pint of oil between changes that often run 8-9000 miles. Sounds and feels like new, and gets the same fuel mileage as new.

No OLM on my Excursion V10, but had the oil tested after a 7500 mile oil change. Lab said it was good to go for more.

Of course it depends on how it's driven, in my case it's very little city driving and the majority of the time trips of 25 miles or more.

Never had any internal engine issues (knock knock knock on wood) in the million miles or so I have put on various vehicles I have owned over the years. Small sample in the grand scheme of things, but it's what I have to work with.

Thanks for your post. You are proof that the OLMs work as they are designed to do, and changing oil any earlier is a waste of time and money.

Or more than he likely he is just lucky and in the minority that he has avoided any problems!

Ddoge guy-just keep changing your oil like you did twenty years ago if it makes you sleep better at night. It's your money and time!

CKNSLS wrote:

ExxWhy wrote:
I'm an OLM adherent, except I do like to change the oil early on a new engine. (1000 miles or so)

FWIW, 180K on the wife's Impala following the OLM down to 5% and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Still goes through a pint of oil between changes that often run 8-9000 miles. Sounds and feels like new, and gets the same fuel mileage as new.

No OLM on my Excursion V10, but had the oil tested after a 7500 mile oil change. Lab said it was good to go for more.

Of course it depends on how it's driven, in my case it's very little city driving and the majority of the time trips of 25 miles or more.

Never had any internal engine issues (knock knock knock on wood) in the million miles or so I have put on various vehicles I have owned over the years. Small sample in the grand scheme of things, but it's what I have to work with.

Thanks for your post. You are proof that the OLMs work as they are designed to do, and changing oil any earlier is a waste of time and money.

Or more than he likely he is just lucky and in the minority that he has avoided any problems!

ExxWhy wrote:
I'm an OLM adherent, except I do like to change the oil early on a new engine. (1000 miles or so)

FWIW, 180K on the wife's Impala following the OLM down to 5% and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Still goes through a pint of oil between changes that often run 8-9000 miles. Sounds and feels like new, and gets the same fuel mileage as new.

No OLM on my Excursion V10, but had the oil tested after a 7500 mile oil change. Lab said it was good to go for more.

Of course it depends on how it's driven, in my case it's very little city driving and the majority of the time trips of 25 miles or more.

Never had any internal engine issues (knock knock knock on wood) in the million miles or so I have put on various vehicles I have owned over the years. Small sample in the grand scheme of things, but it's what I have to work with.

Thanks for your post. You are proof that the OLMs work as they are designed to do, and changing oil any earlier is a waste of time and money.

you have to be kidding me. :S

If the wife says the oil needs to be changed, then that is the end of the story.

Besides that you are not driving that many miles.

Kind like I don't say a word when the DW makes that beauticia:Wn appointment.

I'm an OLM adherent, except I do like to change the oil early on a new engine. (1000 miles or so)

FWIW, 180K on the wife's Impala following the OLM down to 5% and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Still goes through a pint of oil between changes that often run 8-9000 miles. Sounds and feels like new, and gets the same fuel mileage as new.

No OLM on my Excursion V10, but had the oil tested after a 7500 mile oil change. Lab said it was good to go for more.

Of course it depends on how it's driven, in my case it's very little city driving and the majority of the time trips of 25 miles or more.

Never had any internal engine issues (knock knock knock on wood) in the million miles or so I have put on various vehicles I have owned over the years. Small sample in the grand scheme of things, but it's what I have to work with.