Our 2nd vehicle is a 98 F150 w/4.6L V8. Since I retired, it doesn't ring up the miles although it hardly ever got up to 10K per year before. I changed the oil yesterday after 6 mo. The miles were only 2633. Could I have gone longer, say 9 mo or more? I use Havoline 5w30 amd NAPA Gold filter. This engine takes 6 qt with filter. Driving is about 50% city, 50% hwy.
Miles or Time?
- Thread starter Alamogunr
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You mention 50% hwy. If the hwy miles are done at distances of 10 miles or more to completely warm the oil, then I think a 4000 OCI would be sufficient.
My 75 year old dad also drives about 3K miles per yer, I just change it twice per year
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I tend to recommend 6month OCI's ..but that too "depends". If every event with your F150 is of at least 20 minutes or more in duration, you may be able to stretch it out a good bit.
Originally Posted By: Alamogunr
The miles were only 2633.
That's more miles than I put on my Buick per OCI and I still change the oil 3 times a year. I go by time; every 4 months.
The miles were only 2633.
That's more miles than I put on my Buick per OCI and I still change the oil 3 times a year. I go by time; every 4 months.
I go by miles, Usualy this is over 6 months sometimes 9-10 months. 5k miles in the Toyota and I will see how long it takes for that light to come on in the jeep. (note than my wife and I do not commute by vehicle and our driving is for errands, and recreation, which means lots of parking and longer trips)
Time and time agian we praise the oils and note that most UOA shown that time makes no difference yet we continue to push short intervals because of time. I am on 13 months now in my low miler and will probably go 15 this time around and a year in my other one that I run 7500 OCI on.
Guys, it makes no diffenrence in the long term durability of your engine, everyhting else will go first.
Why not change the tranny fluid every two years regardless of mileage or one year etc. OVERKILL!
Guys, it makes no diffenrence in the long term durability of your engine, everyhting else will go first.
Why not change the tranny fluid every two years regardless of mileage or one year etc. OVERKILL!
Patman
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My mom is retired and drives less than 4k per year, so I do her oil changes every two years with GC 0w30. Oil analysis shows that this is OCI working just fine.
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It's not like miles and time are mutually exclusive. Whichever occurs first should be the trigger for an oil change. For example, every 7,500 miles or every 12 months.
Personally, in a four-season climate I'd go with an oil and filter change before and after the cold season. In a mild climate I'd do an oil change once a year. In a cold climate I'd shorten the interval to every six months.
My mother in law changes her oil every 3 months on her Town Car. She only drives about 3K per year. I told her once per year is fine and to keep the $$ in her pocket.
The "every 3K or 4 months" mentality needs to die.
The "every 3K or 4 months" mentality needs to die.
Quote:
The miles were only 2633. Could I have gone longer, say 9 mo or more? I
I would say you could easily go longer than 6 months 2633 miles. With a 6 quart sump and the quality of modern oils I would go as far as 1 year/5k miles. The latest SM motor oils are much better than the oils we were using 15 -20 years ago for 3k mile/6 month oil changes.
The miles were only 2633. Could I have gone longer, say 9 mo or more? I
I would say you could easily go longer than 6 months 2633 miles. With a 6 quart sump and the quality of modern oils I would go as far as 1 year/5k miles. The latest SM motor oils are much better than the oils we were using 15 -20 years ago for 3k mile/6 month oil changes.
Originally Posted By: Patman
My mom is retired and drives less than 4k per year, so I do her oil changes every two years with GC 0w30. Oil analysis shows that this is OCI working just fine.
Patman, thank you for putting to rest the fear that one 'needs' to change the oil so often. 2 year OCI and UOA for proof!
My mom is retired and drives less than 4k per year, so I do her oil changes every two years with GC 0w30. Oil analysis shows that this is OCI working just fine.
Patman, thank you for putting to rest the fear that one 'needs' to change the oil so often. 2 year OCI and UOA for proof!
toyota sez either 5 or 6 months I can not remember which
I wish I had this problem.
My fiancee did, when she went 4k miles in 10 months on bulk dino. I convinced her to let me change it, since she would not have done it for a long time and was driving a lot more due to work. Yay Motorcraft syn blend and filter. It should be good for about 5-6k in a year.
My fiancee did, when she went 4k miles in 10 months on bulk dino. I convinced her to let me change it, since she would not have done it for a long time and was driving a lot more due to work. Yay Motorcraft syn blend and filter. It should be good for about 5-6k in a year.
Patman
Staff member
Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
Originally Posted By: Patman
My mom is retired and drives less than 4k per year, so I do her oil changes every two years with GC 0w30. Oil analysis shows that this is OCI working just fine.
Patman, thank you for putting to rest the fear that one 'needs' to change the oil so often. 2 year OCI and UOA for proof!
Another thing to keep in mind is that if someone is only driving 3000 miles per year, and their engine only lasts for 100,000 miles, that engine would still have a lifespan of 33 years!
Originally Posted By: Patman
My mom is retired and drives less than 4k per year, so I do her oil changes every two years with GC 0w30. Oil analysis shows that this is OCI working just fine.
Patman, thank you for putting to rest the fear that one 'needs' to change the oil so often. 2 year OCI and UOA for proof!
Another thing to keep in mind is that if someone is only driving 3000 miles per year, and their engine only lasts for 100,000 miles, that engine would still have a lifespan of 33 years!
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