Oil Changes,Where?

[derh20]

I have always had a local Ford Truck dealer change my oil. I find most regular Ford car dealers won't touch my 29' B+. Finding a Ford Truck dealer is difficult, especially when you need an oil change. Do most of you go to an RV repair facility to get it changed? I am always concerned about the quality of their work--some are good, others not so much. Also--how often do you change your oil? I hear 3,000 miles and I hear 5,000 miles.

[the_trippers]

For my 32 footer, it's usually a Ford Dealership. The pricing has varied from $39 at Pacific Ford to $89 at Elsinore Ford (they say cause it's an RV they have to charge more). The only truck Ford place was at Carmenita Ford for $89. All in S. Cal. Wish I were in OK for a $19 change. Must have an oil well on property! I definitely no longer trust my RV dealer. But have used and do trust Camping World, $50?. After all an oil change isn't complex, how much can go wrong? Although I did get shorted a quart at Allen tire, just once. My driveway is too small to even park it in or would do it myself.

[Dakzuki]

Mbrown wrote:
what is the quick valve ?

Richmcm wrote:
Change the oil in our E450 Winnebago Aspect in our driveway like many others. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic and change at 3000 mile intervals. I also lube the zerk fittings every other oil, change at a minimum. I makes the whole process easy. If you have the room the E450 is simple to change the oil. The filter is right there.

THIS

[Mbrown]

what is the quick valve ?

Richmcm wrote:
Change the oil in our E450 Winnebago Aspect in our driveway like many others. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic and change at 3000 mile intervals. I also lube the zerk fittings every other oil, change at a minimum. I makes the whole process easy. If you have the room the E450 is simple to change the oil. The filter is right there.

[topflite51]

No Walmart or Jiffy Lube oil changes for my vehicles. When I was in the business, corrected too many of their jobs.

[Dakzuki]

So while we are at it I change my own too. MB says 229.51 spec oil so I am using Mobil 1 ESP formula M (which is what is used by the factory). It is apparently made from the breast milk of mermaids making it expensive....and it uses 13 quarts. I wait for a sale to buy it and I can get it for as low as $6/quart. I use OE filters I get on line. Change interval is every 10K and I have a Fumoto valve which makes it easier...especially with the about of oil coming out. It is super easy. The filter (replaceable element type) is up on top of the motor in the front. Drain oil goes to the auto parts store. I used to work (in my previous life) at an independent VW/Porsche/Audi shop and am very particular as to who works on my vehicles having seen the work of some of the chains.

[FobagBob]

Dakzuki wrote:

Richmcm wrote:
Change the oil in our E450 Winnebago Aspect in our driveway like many others. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic and change at 3000 mile intervals. I also lube the zerk fittings every other oil, change at a minimum. I have also installed a quick valve which makes the whole process easy. If you have the room the E450 is simple to change the oil. The filter is right there.

You may want to send some of your oil in for analysis. 3000 miles on Mobil 1 is a pretty short interval. Use of syn generally affords longer oil change intervals.

I agree, an oil analysis is a great way to see how your oil is performing and if your change interval is optimized. You don't have to do it at every oil change to see what's going on. I have done it twice on my 2010 V10, the last at 29k miles. The report notes engine wear by looking at metals in the oil and the oil properties to determine remaining life of the oil. Both times I had changed the oil at just under 6k miles and the report recommended going up to 8k miles because the oil was still in great shape. I use Castrol Edge synthetic, 5W/20, and Napa Gold filter.

Bob

[DaHose]

I change oil myself. No ramps needed and zerks are easy to take care of with a small grease gun filled with "green grease". Mine has a fixed nozzle, but a hose with swivel tip would be nice.

I use diesel engine oil in 15w-40, but you can get it in 5w-40 as well. Bottom line is that Shell Rotella or Chevron Delo protect as well or better than the "synthetics", can go extended intervals between changes (5000+ miles) and cost WAY less than "synthetics" or high grade racing oils. Diesel engine oil runs about $4.75 a quart.

For filters, I prefer the Purolator Pure1 line.

Notice the quotes when I talk about synthetic oils. There is a reason for that. 🙂

Jose

[pnichols]

I go 10K intervals on our Class C with a V10 using Mobil 1 EP 5W20 ... hoping that this oil's touted 15,000 mile change interval makes changing at 10,000 miles non-detrimental to the V10. I use the most expensive oil filter I can find in every day parts stores - a K&N model (a whopping ~$8 more than the least expensive filter).

[tpi]

I do my own oil changes. The E450 V10 is easy engine to do oil change on. I use Motorcraft filter and Mobil 1 EP 5W20. I do 5,000 mile changes which approximate one year intervals.

With this oil, and noted reliability of the V10, I would not hesitate to go longer than the 5K interval if I were in the middle of a long vacation. I'd just maintain the oil level and change it when I got home.

[Dakzuki]

Richmcm wrote:
Change the oil in our E450 Winnebago Aspect in our driveway like many others. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic and change at 3000 mile intervals. I also lube the zerk fittings every other oil, change at a minimum. I have also installed a quick valve which makes the whole process easy. If you have the room the E450 is simple to change the oil. The filter is right there.

You may want to send some of your oil in for analysis. 3000 miles on Mobil 1 is a pretty short interval. Use of syn generally affords longer oil change intervals.

[Richmcm]

Change the oil in our E450 Winnebago Aspect in our driveway like many others. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic and change at 3000 mile intervals. I also lube the zerk fittings every other oil, change at a minimum. I have also installed a quick valve which makes the whole process easy. If you have the room the E450 is simple to change the oil. The filter is right there.

[Dusty_R]

For you guys that service your mh yourself. How many of you have removed the plugs and installed grease zerks at the ball joints? And at how many miles on the odometer.

Dusty

[OldRadios]

I use synthetic and have it changed it every 5000 miles or each spring at a minimum (stored in the winter here up north). Always take it to a Ford dealer. They don't have to put it in a lift to change it. I never take anything to the quick oil change places. I'd do it myself in my driveway first.

[bobsinn]

When on the road I use Ford car dealerships. I use the Ford web site to find where they are along my route and call service to see if they service motorhomes, I'd say about 30% do. My 1st oil change on the road was Metro International Truck in Moncton NB $128, I wont go there again. After that thru the years
Hoskins Ford , Smithers BC $45
Vincennes Ford, Vicennes IN $21
West Ward Ford, Neepawa MAN $37
Bluebonnet Ford, New Braunfels TX, (part of 35K Maint.)
McKie Ford, Rapid, City SD, $47
Knightlinger Ford, Coudersport PA $36

Also my local Armstrong Ford (Homestead 20 Miles north) works on RVs