mileage between oil changes
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: just outside of Phila.
I think the real question is.....what the heck is kenwowski talking about?
Whatever it is, I agree with him about the oil changes. Realizing that the Nissan won't be there when they finally commit me, I'd at least like to have it around as long as I can for my wallet's sake. I'm a working college student with big bills...I don't want to have to worry about tugging out a sideways engine and transmission, all from under the hood in one shot. If $10 a month (yes, that's how often it ends up being) can save me that hassle for a few more months, then it's a bargain to me.
Whatever it is, I agree with him about the oil changes. Realizing that the Nissan won't be there when they finally commit me, I'd at least like to have it around as long as I can for my wallet's sake. I'm a working college student with big bills...I don't want to have to worry about tugging out a sideways engine and transmission, all from under the hood in one shot. If $10 a month (yes, that's how often it ends up being) can save me that hassle for a few more months, then it's a bargain to me.
Logistics Pro
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by jdmorg
If $10 a month (yes, that's how often it ends up being) can save me that hassle for a few more months, then it's a bargain to me.
Logistics Pro
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From: Georgia
My block was cast in 68 so I will stick to my 3month intervals that do average about 3000 miles. It is true that oils are much better these days but you also have to factor in there is more traffic and more intersections these days. That factors into more stop and go which is rough on your engine.
Logistics Pro
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From: Southern MD
Ok. . .ok. . . .ok. Don't start throwing bricks.
Every 3,000 miles. Oil and filter. Penzoil and Fram.
According to my dear old Dad, "Oil the engine's life blood. Give it an oil transfusion every 3,000 miles and you won't have any problems."
It's what he taught me, so, that's what I'm gonna do. (Been doing it since '62.)
I've considered switching to synthetic, but. . . . I dunno.
Every 3,000 miles. Oil and filter. Penzoil and Fram.
According to my dear old Dad, "Oil the engine's life blood. Give it an oil transfusion every 3,000 miles and you won't have any problems."
It's what he taught me, so, that's what I'm gonna do. (Been doing it since '62.)
I've considered switching to synthetic, but. . . . I dunno.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by 00BlueOvalRanger
Ok. . .ok. . . .ok. Don't start throwing bricks.
Every 3,000 miles. Oil and filter. Penzoil and Fram.
According to my dear old Dad, "Oil the engine's life blood. Give it an oil transfusion every 3,000 miles and you won't have any problems."
It's what he taught me, so, that's what I'm gonna do. (Been doing it since '62.)
Every 3,000 miles. Oil and filter. Penzoil and Fram.
According to my dear old Dad, "Oil the engine's life blood. Give it an oil transfusion every 3,000 miles and you won't have any problems."
It's what he taught me, so, that's what I'm gonna do. (Been doing it since '62.)
Originally Posted by dear old Dad
Don't stick you hand in there
Originally Posted by 00BlueOvalRanger
But I wanna. Besides, what could happen?
Originally Posted by Paramedic
What's the matter with you boy? Why in the world would you stick you hand in there?
Logistics Pro
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From: Southern MD
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Senior User
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From: Alaska
Back in the carburator days, 3000 miles was the excepted OCI in normal service and less milage in severe service.
In this day of computerised fuel management systems, the engines run so clean that a OCI of 5000 miles or more is acceptable.
If a person wants to know what their best OCI is, they should do an oil analysis at each oil change or at intervals between.
By using this hard information, one can establish a proper OCI that is best for their vehicle without the guesswork and trying to judge the need for an oil change by the appearance of the oil, it cannot be done with any accuracy.
Most wellkept vehicles will run 5000 miles on a OCI with ease.
The 3000 mi. OCI is old school and is maintained by an industry that does oil and filter changes for a living.
I am part of that industry but I do not sell my clients something that they don't need (at least I try not to),
In this day of computerised fuel management systems, the engines run so clean that a OCI of 5000 miles or more is acceptable.
If a person wants to know what their best OCI is, they should do an oil analysis at each oil change or at intervals between.
By using this hard information, one can establish a proper OCI that is best for their vehicle without the guesswork and trying to judge the need for an oil change by the appearance of the oil, it cannot be done with any accuracy.
Most wellkept vehicles will run 5000 miles on a OCI with ease.
The 3000 mi. OCI is old school and is maintained by an industry that does oil and filter changes for a living.
I am part of that industry but I do not sell my clients something that they don't need (at least I try not to),
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by FSC
Back in the carburator days, 3000 miles was the excepted OCI in normal service and less milage in severe service.
At least as early as 1964, Ford recommended 6000 OCI's in Econoline trucks.
Ford still recommended a 6000 OCI in 1970:
http://www.falconman.com/fullbrochur...llbrochure.htm
Last edited by jschira; Oct 4, 2005 at 06:08 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: just outside of Phila.
Originally Posted by kenwowski
jdmorg, I am confused. What did I say that couldn't be understood. Unless ur making a joke about "****" in which I meant "obsessed" or maybe you just think i am nuts for changing my oil every 2k
FSC...how easy is it to get an oil analysis? I'm sure not going to be doing this whole process once a month, but I'm curious.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by jdmorg
Like I said, for me, it comes down to money, and regardless of whether it's overkill, or after 3k the oil is still fine...whatever...I do it for piece of mind. I'd rather be too '****' about changing my oil than worrying about how I'm going to pay for a worn-out engine.
But here is the original question:
I have a '05 Taurus and the owners manual states that they recommend oil changes 5,000 miles and my dealers says 3,000 miles. Who is right?
So, if you want to go to 5000, and your books says that you can, go ahead, jump on in. The water's fine.
If the thought of 5000 OCI gets your sphincter puckering, then stay with 3000. But recognize that it's your sphincter doing the talking, not your head, or GM, or Ford, . . . .
Last edited by jschira; Oct 4, 2005 at 10:45 AM.
Posting Guru
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From: just outside of Phila.
No, I understand what you mean, and I'll bet that if I looked, my maual says 5000 miles too (I will in fact, during lunch). It won't change my tendencies though...they're just habit now. I am kind of curious, and will check my manual though.
Posting Guru
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From: just outside of Phila.
Oddly enough, Nissan came up with 3,750 miles as the recommended distance between oil changes. So I figure:
City driving +
some long distance travel (20-500 miles a day) +
a 15 mile commute each way, with rush hour stop-and-go +
at least two major uphill climbs a day (well, for us city folk it is) over the bridges =
3,000 miles should be sufficient for an oil change interval. So even though I know what you're saying with 5,000 mile increments, and how the manufacturer even says it, I don't think that a 3,000 mile or less oil change is a bad idea....for my Nissan.
City driving +
some long distance travel (20-500 miles a day) +
a 15 mile commute each way, with rush hour stop-and-go +
at least two major uphill climbs a day (well, for us city folk it is) over the bridges =
3,000 miles should be sufficient for an oil change interval. So even though I know what you're saying with 5,000 mile increments, and how the manufacturer even says it, I don't think that a 3,000 mile or less oil change is a bad idea....for my Nissan.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by jdmorg
Oddly enough, Nissan came up with 3,750 miles as the recommended distance between oil changes. So I figure:
City driving +
some long distance travel (20-500 miles a day) +
a 15 mile commute each way, with rush hour stop-and-go +
at least two major uphill climbs a day (well, for us city folk it is) over the bridges =
3,000 miles should be sufficient for an oil change interval.
City driving +
some long distance travel (20-500 miles a day) +
a 15 mile commute each way, with rush hour stop-and-go +
at least two major uphill climbs a day (well, for us city folk it is) over the bridges =
3,000 miles should be sufficient for an oil change interval.