Oil Longevity?

[THEWELSHM]

Typically our truck Owner Manual indicates oil changes every 3000 miles, I have been pondering this for a while. My Wifes Benz utilizes the same product " Mobil 1 Synthetic" My younger sons drives an Audi A4 Quattro same oil. Nadine's car states 12000 miles between oil changes and My sons 10000 miles. We always changed oil @ 5000 miles in the UK, and that would be Organic oil.

I did some research, and I sort of backed up my thinking that the oil in our trucks should be changed at 8000 miles, And that the 3000 mile rule is wasting resources:dontknow:

I have attached a link for your viewing and comments.

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html

I would be interested in any and all feedback from more knowledgable members.

Regards

thewelshm

 

[JTS VENOM PERFORMANCE]

the best way is determined on the way you drive.

alot of city driving, change it at shorter intervals

more hwy driving, change it at longer intervals.

one of the best ways is to keep an eye on the oil coloriztions, when it starts getting dark in color , change it, take a sample have it analyzed and check how its doing.
adjust from there.

 

[GADodgetech]

It depends on personal preference. Synthetics dont "break down", they just get dirty. If you call mobil 1 they will tell you its safe to go 7500 miles. I run Mobil 1 in my vehicle and change every 4k. I think 5k is a safe balance on Mobil 1.

 

[Dom426]

epsi:

 

[scoobert]

get your oil analyzed. then you will know if you can wait longer. just remember to keep the oil topped off in between because these trucks seem to burn quite a bit.
they do this with big trucks all the time.

 

[THEWELSHM]

epsi:

thewelshm

 

[Silverback]

Contamination and dilution are what kills synthenic oils.

And in reality contamination and dilution are generally one and the same. The most common are water vapors and unburnt fuel. Both of these are caused by the engine not getting up to full temperature for a long enough time. Rings do a wonderful job, but they always allow a small amount to pass by them. That amount can vary from engine to engine. So don't be fooled into thinking that what is good for one engine will work for another.

The best thing to do is as already been suggested. Send your oil out for analysis. That will give you facts to work with.

 

[Prof]

I change every 3k...don't think I need to...but I enjoy pampering my truck.

What I read is that the synthetic oils have a much longer life...

I buy Royal Purple from Stinker...and he appreciates the cash flow...that is also important in my mind. I keep trying to get Joann to deliver it personally, but so far no luck.

 

[THEWELSHM]

I change every 3k...don't think I need to...but I enjoy pampering my truck.

What I read is that the synthetic oils have a much longer life...

I buy Royal Purple from Stinker...and he appreciates the cash flow...that is also important in my mind. I keep trying to get Joann to deliver it personally, but so far no luck.

Lol, actually as the day has gone on, I have read that they encorage 3000 miles so that other aspects of the car/ truck can be checked. I can agree with that

thewelshm

 

[RedSrt007]

I agree with what most said..depends on driving habits / style and location.

For example: Viper - every 1500 miles, but when you drive 5k miles a year, its about 3 months.

Cherokee - 3k
Truck - 1500-2k (was 3k before blower)

Remember, oil is cheap compared to engine parts..

 

[scoobert]

unless you analyze it you will never know, i have 235,000 on a honda with 25-30k oil changes. only problems are not in any way related to oil.

 

[GADodgetech]

unless you analyze it you will never know, i have 235,000 on a honda with 25-30k oil changes. only problems are not in any way related to oil.

That bitch is a sludge monster, I'd bet my sunday paycheck on it

 

[scoobert]

lol. i guess i lied. oil in the coolant is an oil problem.

when i took off the valve cover it seems fairly clean for 235,000.
never seen a valve cover from a car with 200K+ that i did not own, and so i cannot say what it would look like if i did it every 3000.

that being said i do my truck at 5000-6000.

 

[ARRESTmeRed04]

i change mine at 3K and use royal purple, next oil change is gonna be an expsive one though(30K miles) get to do the trans and rear end too