I know this topic has probably been beat to death but how many miles do all on this forum go between oil changes?

I drive about 15,000-20,000 miles a year and it mixes between city and hwy miles...
I have been changing my oil on my 04 6.0 every 4,000 miles and it seems like I'm changing it every month.......Thanks for any info.....drf

 

Officially: 5,000 or 7,500 under extreem driving conditions.

I am headed for the every 5,000 miles myself. But sounds like you drive a lot more then I do *shrugs*

 

I,ve been changing mine at 7500 mile intervals. I use Mobil 1 Truck & Suv Syn., and have OilGuard bypass filter installed.

I have 26K, and 1 yr. on motor, I have taken 3 oil samples so far, but haven't gotten around to sending them in. Not too worried though, I haven't had any problems with the truck so far.

 

I change mine every 5K miles and I do not believe it is safe to go beyond that with either dino or synthetic oil unless you are a strict user of an oil analysis program such as Blackstone. I don't think I personally would go beyond 5K regardless. It is penny wise and pound foolish to spend as much $$$ as we do on these SD's and concern ourselves with the price of an oil change. I have seen various posters here debate on what type oil to use; that's OK, but nowhere nearly as important as the oil and filter changes on a regular basis (less than 5K if under heavy towing/dusty conditions.)

 

The same engine (VT 365) in an International truck has a 10,000 mile oil change recomendation

 

Your owner manual says 7500 for normal driving and 5000 mile interval for severe conditions. It goes on to describe severe conditions. Anything more frequent than that is throwing money away.

I change mine at the 5000 mile interval. I have had four oil analysis done. All have come back with normal or better than normal reports. I have over 37000 miles. I use dino oil (Castrol 15W-40).

If Ford puts that in their owner manual and warranteed the engine for 100,000, they have already figured in margins of error, etc.

 

Personally go with 5,000 mile changes regardless of oil type or brand.

Based on my Blackstone reports, the 6.0L motor shears down the 40 weight part of our oil to that of a 30 weight - consistently. The rest of the analysis is great!!!.

Personally, even though Ford says 7,500 miles for "normal driving" I do not trust any brand of oil (or at least the Motorcraft I use) to go that long and hold its viscosity (and my Blackstone reports prove it out). Even people running synthetic oil have had low viscosity reports from blackstone.

Personally, I would change at 5,000 miles intervals and use the type and brand of oil you like. Frequent oil changes are more important to this motor than secondary filters (no problem in using though) and extended oil changes.... have a problem and show that you went beyond 7,500 miles for any reason and your "up a creek" and it may not be covered!!!

Call Blackstone company and they will tell you about the oil-shearing issue, but will not recommend one oil over another - that's your decision (they are an independent lab).

Good luck,

 

Yes, the oil does shear, up to a point and then it doesn't get thinner. So going from 5 to 7500 isn't going to make it worse. I will go to 75000 on the next oil change and do a sample and well see.

Jeff you wear a belt with your suspenders anyway!

 

Wow, Steve....

Your going 75000 miles on your next oil change (you mean 7,500)? Dam that's one extended interval... must have oil-guard with Amsoil oil - huh????

No Steve, it's one or the other (belt or braces as they are called). suspenders are what old men wear and "clip on" to your pants. Professional people that wear braces with their suits have "button on" types and are called braces.

Hey watch it... your trying to flame me - ha, ha

Jeff

 

Even though the owners manual says 7,500 the dealership told me to keep it to 5,000 when just driving around the DFW area. He said if I take a lot of long road trips that were not dusty and i was not towing i could go as long as 7,500. Still going to do the 5,000 intervals. That is a nice round maintance number for rotating tired, changing fuel filters, etc. 7,500 is just an *odd* number.

 

I am going the other direction and have changed every 3K. I drive in traffic all day in DFW area & w/all the construction(heavy dust) going on in this city and carrying a truck full of tools & materials, thats the way it will stay for me, unless my first blackstone report tells me it is still like new! I use Mobil1 and don't mind the extra costs because I want to drive this truck until I quit my business, probably 10-12 years. Then I hope to buy another for luxury driving.

 

I change every 3k, too. Run about 15k a year so total oil change costs are only about $200 - $250 a year--that's pretty cheap insurance. Plus, you're under the truck a little more so you can keep an eye on things.

I could have built my house to code (that is the minimum), but I wanted stronger floors and roof and more insulation. I never go minimum if I can help it.

 

I dont see where dust would affect an oil change. Every 5000 miles here.19750 current miles and no issues.

 

Ford people must know something it specifically states to change more often if driven in dusty conditions maybe you know something they don't know at Ford.... please advise!

 

DRFBuster - if you are changing your oil one a month, at 4,000 miles, you are putting on 48,000 miles a year. Just giving you a hard time.

I use Rotella T and was changing ever 3,000. I installed an Oilguard bypass, and I think I will go for 5,000. I should send it samples, where is the best place to send them?