How long between oil changes?
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Gainesville
How long between oil changes?
I've been reading a lot, and from what I can tell, 3k miles / 3 months is bull that's been fed to everyone by oil companies, etc. But, how long do you actually wait? My manual for my 2001 4.0L, says 5k miles / 5 months. That's how often I've been doing it.
Last edited by Ken00; Apr 2, 2006 at 07:20 PM.
Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
The lubricating properties of the oil last indefinately; additives do not. Then there is the fine debris that filters don't trap. If I traded vehicles in every few years and with under 60K on the clock, I probably wouldn't change it until right before I sold it.
Laughing Gas
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From: Moneta, VA
Originally Posted by jarmeister
I go 3K or twice a year, (summer, winter, base weight change).
Post Fiend
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From: Atlanta GA
3k (city driving) - 5k (all highway) or twice a year, more frequently if I tow or haul a lot. I use a Motorcraft filter (FL1a) and cheapest dino oil I can buy rated for the vehicle. My 4.0L in the Aerostar, which I bought new, has a 187K and runs perfect. The oil always looks clear. Once I flush a used vehicle, I try to keep it the same way.
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Posting Guru
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From: Coastal North Carolina
but what about synthetic oils, and those "7000+" mile filters. Synthetic oil companies say you can go longer between changes than conventional oil. I run synthetic, and the filters that have additives. My engine has 118,000 miles on it and still runs strong, quiet, and doesnt burn a drop of oil. Granted I've only had the truck since about 65,000 miles and i dont know what the previous owner did, but it seems to be working.
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Originally Posted by mikemic
I have learned through used oil analysis that at 3K intervals I was throwing away perfectly good oil, so now I go 5K or 6 months.
Yes, Exactly!
About 5 years ago Consumer Reports ran an extensive test on oil change intervals. They ran it in NYC on taxis, police cars, winter & summer -- in other words on cars that underwent the most severe service.
They used various intervals from 3K to 6 or 7K miles and sent all the oil to labs for analysis.
The results were unequivical -- the optimum oil change interval is 5000 miles! Again, this was under severe service!
Changing oil/filter any sooner that 5K miles was simply a waste of money.
So I pegged my interval at 4500 miles 'cause I'm somtimes a bit late. I rarely go over 5K miles. And I've stopped wasting money on 3000 mile intervals.
I use any dino oil rated for my vehicle and a good filter.
Personally I don't see the advantage in using expensive synthetic oils because intervals longer than 5K miles expose the engine to the acids and particulates circulating in the oil. I'd rather discard inexpensive oil more often than keeping expensive oil for longer.
That's my take on oil-changes for what it's worth.
matis
Last edited by matis; Apr 3, 2006 at 07:54 AM.
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In my truck I use Mobil 1 and change the oil every 7,000 to 7,500 miles. I've been doing the same thing in my 97 Explorer and she's got almost 200,000 miles with no sign of any any issues. I bought the Explorer brand new and started to use Mobil 1 at about 15,000 miles.
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From: loveland, co.
Motorcraft filter
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Connecticut
I agree with the 5k consensus. I have 133,000 on my '99 ranger with a 3.0 - I've been using fram filters and castrol gtx 5w30 year round. 4500 to 5000 between oil changes and so far, no problems. It still runs practically like new.
When the engine turned 100k, I started adding 20% Lucas oil stabilizer. The engine seems to crank over a little easier on those cold winter days.
When the engine turned 100k, I started adding 20% Lucas oil stabilizer. The engine seems to crank over a little easier on those cold winter days.