Oil Change Interval Thoughts

[Dave_H_M]

I just got back my Blackstone analysis and it looks like the on board indicator (computer that says life remaining) gave a pretty close indication of how much farther I could have run the oil.

So I been wondering if there is any way the computer figures the numbers based on the type of oil you are running. What if I stop in at Kooter's quick change and he dumps some bulk stuff in there that has been refiltered and did not have the additive package updated. Will the computer give the same indication as if I had Motorcraft branded stuff in there?

My guess is that it will.

Anyone know the answer?

[JIMNLIN]

The '03 to '07 5.9 Cummins HPCR HO has a 7500/15000 mile oil change schedule. I run the 15000 mile schedule or some where in between depending on use.
I've had a oil analysis done every 50k miles and with 255k+ miles every report has come back normal and keep doing what your doing.

Newer engines burn a lot cleaner and with most OLM systems today IMO were dumping good oil.

I see on some of the haulers websites this is a big deal to them and gets talked about. After engine warranty runs out many say they run 10k miles then change the filter. Then change oil and filter at the next 10k.

Most of these guys run their rigs into the 300-400k mile range before non engine related issues start popping up.

[Monaco_Montclai]

I go by the stickiness of the oil, the viscosity , have let it go for 14k one time . Didn't hurt a thing. Round 3k, to 5k. Works for me. Now it's all happy-camping

[TEXAS]

Maybe not today. But a few years back. Everyone was pushing for oil changes every three months. I believe the claim was 3500-5000 miles. Even ten thousand is to soon for me. With the advanced oil we have today.

[Huntindog]

TEXAS wrote:
I find it amazing that all this highly refind. Supper dupper wonder oil. Is only good for 3500 miles. When I was a kid you changed oil when it got dirty. Didn't need no fancy monitor to tell you when to change it

???? I don't know of any vehicles sold today with a 3500 mile oil change requirement for normal use.
MY OLM routinely gets me close to 10K before calling for a change.

[TEXAS]

I find it amazing that all this highly refind. Supper dupper wonder oil. Is only good for 3500 miles. When I was a kid you changed oil when it got dirty. Didn't need no fancy monitor to tell you when to change it

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I guess I should admit changing oil only after I have to fight the dipstick getting it out of the tube.

[DrewE]

shagan77 wrote:
It never ceases to amaze me, how people assume everyone in the world is privvy to their set of acronyms. I know it sounds stupid, but what is an OLM & an OE?

In this context:
OLM = oil life monitor
OE = I think a typo for OEM = original equipment manufacturer, apparently car/truck companies in this case.

The oil life monitor is the little computer display thingy that many newer vehicles have that tells you when it's time to do an oil change and possibly other service. Many are fairly sophisticated, certainly more so than just counting miles, taking into account things like cold starts, how hard the engine is working, etc. I guess some are not so clever.

[shagan77]

It never ceases to amaze me, how people assume everyone in the world is privvy to their set of acronyms. I know it sounds stupid, but what is an OLM & an OE?

[Ron3rd]

jfkmk wrote:
I think the OLMs vary by manufacturers. My friends Camry simply has the light come on every 3,500 miles. My vehicles indicate an oil change is due at different milage intervals depending on the type of driving I've been doing. I'm not sure if any OLM has the ability to detect the quality of oil you've used.

Huntindog's advice is sound; use a quality oil to protect that expensive vehicle and follow the OLM. You can't go wrong!

I think you're right; my Tundra has a light that turns on every 5,000 miles so I don't really think it's a monitor like in the wife's Chevy traverse that looks at other parameters to judge the remaining percentage of oil life.

[RAS43]

Dave H M wrote:
What if I stop in at Kooter's quick change and he dumps some bulk stuff in there that has been refiltered and did not have the additive package updated.

I know you were just giving an example but please don't do that to an engine! :B

[Matt_Colie]

Dave,

When employed as a consultant to several OEs, I did some work on OLM systems. Even without knowing which yours actually is, I can tell you that it does not actually know the quality of the oil fill. They count on your using lube oil that meets at least their minimum requirements as listed in the owner's manual.

Some systems only count accumulated mileage. Some track other things like cold start count and total fuel consumed. I'm sure that they have gotten even smarter.

The smartest thing your did was go to Blackstone.

Matt

[time2roll]

Use the OLM. I hope you get at least 10,000 miles on an oil change.

And no, the OLM does not analyze the oil. Put the good stuff in.
Don't forget to check the oil level and top off as needed....

[intheburbs]

Some OLMs simply track miles driven, others look at various parameters from the powertrain computer and adjust the life based on the duty cycle of the engine.

None of them, AFAIK, measure the "quality" of the oil.

I use a local VIOC for my oil changes. I bring my own oil, so there's no doubt what's going in my engine.

[jfkmk]

I think the OLMs vary by manufacturers. My friends Camry simply has the light come on every 3,500 miles. My vehicles indicate an oil change is due at different milage intervals depending on the type of driving I've been doing. I'm not sure if any OLM has the ability to detect the quality of oil you've used.

Huntindog's advice is sound; use a quality oil to protect that expensive vehicle and follow the OLM. You can't go wrong!