O/K so instead of working 25 miles from home and changing my oil every 3 months, new job is only 2 miles from home, and with the price of fuel, we take my wife's escape instead of the 04 F150 5.4 on road trips.
So how long now should I wait between oil changes? Even with an occasional road trip in the truck, my estimates are around 8-9 months before I come close to 3000miles.
My first thought is that you may experience such short driving times that you may not get your oil and engine innards up to a stabilized operating temp. That being so, I would be concerned for the build up of combustion by products breaking down the oil and seperatly, your muffler getting eaten up due to low temps.
To my way of thinking, whether you do it yourself or dealer provided, oil&filter costs are small change compared to engines and exhaust systems.
Thems my thoughts......
TC
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Semper Fi
TimC
06 F-350, Lariet, White w/gray leather, CC, SB, SRW, V-10, 4.30LS, SpeedLiner, Line of Fire, White Nite.
31' Starcraft 5th Wheel
8-9 months is no problem for an oci - I've gone as long as a year. The recommendation of at least once per year is a good one, and if so do it in the spring-time.
I agree w/ the concern on 2 mile trips - make sure the engine is completely warmed up (at least 30 minutes of driving, not idling) at least once a week to keep corrosion and oil breakdown to a minimum.
Well I see you love in Ct, so those short 2 mile trips to work, in cool to cold weather certainly would qualify as severe service, as the oil wouldn't come even close to being up to operating temp in that short a drive cycle.
So blow-by, condensation & other putrids are gonna take their toll on the oil & it's add pack, especially it's base number.
Other things like the fuel & how much sulphur it has in it & the brand oil you use & it's add pack, especially it's base number, the mechanical condition of the engine & where in Ct. you live, ie close to the coast, where it's more humid, or more inland, where it's dryer, will all figure in on how long you could safely go.
IMO only with a oil analisis from a place like BlackStone labs, (one of our site sponsers), ect, to check the oils condition for base number, fuel dilution, condensates & a particle count, would you likely know for sure, how long is safe.
Just some thoughts to ponder.
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