On the long term part, I think it is more due to concern over acid build up and moisture content than anything else. When you think about it, the crankcase is not totally sealed and air enters and exits it freely. On cold humid days, that moisture can condense in the engine and over time builds up in the oil and doesn't get cooked off like it does in normal daily use. Also blowby that gets past the rings will be absorbed by the oil and over time can cause corrosion if left long enough. This is extreme case use though, and not something that does happen if the oil is a year old, but lets say the oil wasn't changed over 16 months, the truck was started, ran a few minutes to move it to a different spot twice a month, and shut down. These cold starts and short runs would get fuel build up and over time can cause damage to bearing material. This is why 12 month changes if not used much is recommended.

I don't put a lot of miles on my 6.7, but when I do drive it, I drive long enough to get both the engine and transmission up to operating temps to avoid fuel dilution and acid build up. I went 14 months on the last change, under 4K miles, the Blackstone came back looking good with longer interval for miles available. On my diesel its more time based than miles. On my F150 though, I am starting to hear cam rattles, so the oil is definitely due for a change even with 20% still left on the OLM. I just completed two long trips with the F150, about 3500 miles combined, so it is needed for sure before the OLM says it needs it.

As always YMMV.

 

Do you honestly think a manufacturer of any product wants a product to last indefinitely so you never need to buy another one? Vehicle manufactures want a car/truck/etc. to last long enough so you are satisfied with the longevity of the vehicle, but they do want them to wear out eventually. With 3 vehicles at home with over 300,000 miles each that all still run like new, I'll keep changing the oil at 5000 miles like I have for the past 35 years. No need to change what's working for me and I'm doing the same with the newer SD.

And no, I don't trust a mindless algorithm.

 

Why not? When you dump the oil, midstream collection and it is $30. If it can save you money over the "this is how I always do it" and maybe open one's eyes to a new paradigms, why not? As I type it, I realize it might be easier for some to do it like they did because it is easier be Rip Van Winkle.

 

Yes but the new motor will have fresh oil.

 

Absolutely. People like you remind me why it is better to hire someone with no experience. They can't stick with the old methods and are open to learning, or at least, more able to learn new things. Don't you think that things have changed in 35 years?

 

Seems like only about 25% of the people have gone away from the old school way and are/would use the oil-life indicator as to how often to change the oil & filter...

 

I trust the oil life monitor. I also, as the Russians say, verify with the labs. MB has been great but I suspect it is because it is better with the sensor that measures the oil quality. I just got this F250 and the C7 so I can't be sure yet till the first oil change is done.

 

I said not practical because I don't think most owners do their own oil changes and they change their oil based on manufacturer's recommendations. Sure they can ask the service provider to collect a sample but how confident are you that the person doing the oil change will do it or do it right? We can't even be sure they will do the oil change right.

But I realize now your comment was more targeted to those that change their oil earlier than recommended because it is what they did 20 years ago. In that case, an OA is a low cost way to verify the oil still has plenty of life in it (or not).

 

Especially with this truck not fitting in the garage, I would be glad to let an oil change place do it during the winter. Trust but verify. Watch the lube shop do it and that is pretty much what you need to do. They usually are pretty obliging when I have asked them to.

If it has life in it, why waste money AND time? I checked it every couple of years to get an idea of what is going on with the oil and see if the engine is wearing abnormally. If it is, time to take action.

 

Id have little doubt in saying that 99% of 6.7's will make it to 300k on 8k or 9k oil changes too. Oil is not like it was 35 years ago......not much is.

 

This video is already 4 years old but I'd figure it fits nicely Into this thread.

Take it with a Grain of salt if you wish, just another talking point if nothing else.


Got to love Google and it's convenient recommendations with these kinds of videos just showing up 😌

 

I'll see your Utub and raise you one.

Watch it all the way through before making comments though.

 

You must not trust it if you are verifying it with a lab test....

You sure do love knocking people who don't dive head-first into the latest technology or way of thinking. When new tech fails, people go back to old school ways to solve the issue and move on.
Not all new technology is a bad thing...but unnecessary tech just to say you have it sure is...like these oil monitors, lane keeping, automatic braking, vehicle wi-fi, etc...

 

I don't trust blindly like the russian proverb says. With this truck, I am personally curious as to how it might change the OCI since it was set for semi-synthetic from the factory and I will be using Mobil 1.

Seriously? My 91 Corvette has some sort of oil life monitor. My 99 diesel MB had it. My other 2 99 and 04 MBs had it as well. My 10 is able to determine which level out of 4 services that I need. What is your definition of "latest technology or way of thinking"? MB even has sensors to tell the quality of the oil and not rely on the algorithm.

Not always. They tend to find improvements to make it work. Just like when old tech was new and had issues. It does give fodder to the luddites to say "I told you that this new fangled way of doing things doesn't work" just like many of the things we have today.

I don't know about you but I do use those things. I am human so I am not perfect. The machine is extremely consistent and can serve as a backup for what I do or to take over tasks I don't want to do. Just like many of the things we have today, the old generation thinks "How did we survive without it?". To which my answer is simple. "I want to enjoy more and not just survive.".

 

Trust but Verify

-Ronald Reagan