okay, so I know there have been plenty of threads about how many miles is okay between oil changes for these trucks (3k, 5k , 7.5k, etc...) and I'm not really looking to get into that side of things so much as I am hoping for some thoughts on the TIME between oil changes. So, if a truck does not have a lot of miles being put on it does it really need an oil change just because "x" number of months have passed since the last oil change? In my case we are talking about a 2006 XLT 5.4 4x4 supercab that had around 39k miles on it when purchased a year ago. Over the past year I have put 8,000 miles on the truck (and a big chunk of that was done in a long cross-country roadtrip last spring). My daily commute is very short (approx 6 miles each way) and the truck doesn't get driven much on weekends so in a typical month I generally average only 300 miles. At this sort of a monthly distance a three month/3k mile service interval would have me changing oil every 900 miles, a 6 month/5k mile interval would still only have 1,800 miles on the odometer between services. It just feels like following the time interval is wasteful because the oil should still have plenty of useable life remaining, but following the mileage interval would mean some looooong stretches between visits to a service bay (which kinda makes me a bit nervous).

So, if you were in my shoes, what would you be inclined to do? Am I okay with semi-annual oil changes? (more? less?) Thanks in advance and I await your input...

 

I personally would run more toward the millage side than the time side. The time intervals were developed prior to a lot of the new oils and additives. The argument is that the oil will build up the same level of acids and containments over time, but with the short distance you drive my concern would be deposits (carbon and junk) developing, not some much an oil issue. If you warm your truck up prior to driving it most days you should be fine.
JMHO though.
Paul

 

I would probably be changing it twice a year in that situation. Remove the cap and check for the oil/water goo that builds up when the vehicle does not get up to a sufficient temperature. If thats not present you should be just fine and if its not there after 6 months you could probably go even longer. I wouldnt feel comfortable going over a year though.

 

"......My daily commute is very short (approx 6 miles each way) and the truck doesn't get driven much on weekends so in a typical month I generally average only 300 miles. At this sort of a monthly distance a three month/3k mile service interval would have me changing oil every 900 miles, a 6 month/5k mile interval would still only have 1,800 miles on the odometer between services."

That kind of driving is exactly why you need to change it more often. You are not driving it enough to get the oil up to temperature long enough to burn off water from condensation and other contaminates. My anual milage is simular to yours but my trips are usualy 24-32 miles round trip and only a couple of times a week. Here is what I do. I split the difference between 3 months and 6 months so I'm changing oil about every 19 to 20 weeks. Hope this was some help.

 

I also have a white goo when i remove the cap but nothing on the dip stick should I change my oil [asp] 2004 5.4 96000 use mobil 1 5w30 kn filter . change every 6000 miles

 

Agree with Old guy, short trips do not allow time and temp to burn off moisture. Really should try to change every 3 to 6 months, just use motocraft 5w20 with moto or wix filter, reasonably cheap at wally world. Sludge is the killer on these engines and I really would not use a higher viscosity, not recommeded by the factory for a reason.

 

every three months, stort term driving is alot harder on the oil system because it causes heavy sludge build up in the top of the motor from the oil not getting to temp to drain back proper then baking on when parked and half way to temp, and the white is water/moisture because its not getting up to temp to burn it off.

 

yeah, that was kinda my area of concern (that the shorter drives might be harder on the engine/oil). I do get in at least one longer (40+ miles RT) drive every couple of weeks but still, the life of this truck these days is pretty much the short hops (and Chicago winters definitely do not help the engine get warmed up quickly on that short commute). Right now I'm coming up on 4 months (and 1200 miles) since the last oil change so, I guess we're going in for one next week. Thanks for the input gang, now I don't feel so much like I'm just giving extra money to the dealership for no good reason.

 

I would get rid of that KN filter asap it will cause more problems on this motor than it is worth oil from filter plugs things up

 

i have had an oil based air intake filter and it has been great for 30,000 miles. the trick is dont over oil them.

 

I would run some oil cleaner just before you change the oil to, I use CRC well worth it .