pickup truck oil changes...

oli · Jan 10, 2015

There was a post the other day, someone had
worked out their average speed over the life of
their truck, turns out it was like 30mph or
so...

This got me thinking, was driving the 05 f350
today, and while fueling up though i'd check
engine hours and distance driven, 295k km (184k
miles and change)vs 4800hrs equals 61.5 kph
average speed (38.3mph), seems fair to me.

But the manufacturer seems to want oil changes
at 5000 miles... ok, but that is only 130 odd
engine hours.

How come my tractors can get by with oil
changes recommended at 200hrs for the one and
250hrs for the other, when the truck wants one
at 130hrs???? I know the truck runs more boost,
but it has an intercooler, so truth be told
probably runs cooler too, all spend most of
their working time at approx 2000rpm.

Are we being ripped off? Or is their some
"fancy" reason for it... Somehow i think the
tractor engines will outlast the truck

big jt · Jan 10, 2015

Well I change engine oil at 3000 miles in vehicles and 100 hours on the farm equipment.

jm2cw

jt

D beatty · Jan 11, 2015

I change oil & filter every 3,000 miles and fuel filter every thrid oil change.

willie in mn · Jan 11, 2015

Not an answer to your question, but just another viewpoint.
I'm a former over the road driver.
In the stagecoach business, service was done at approx. 10,000 miles. Very little idling time, so the average speed was a bit higher.
Those were Detroit 2 cycle 8v71 powered. Engines were rebuilt in house at 750-800,000 miles
In the freight game, with some idling time for heat or a/c while resting, average speed was around 30 mph. When I started with the last company complete service was done at 10,000 miles. later it was extended to chassis lube at 10,000, oil & filter change at 20,000. By the time I retired it was extended to chassis lube at 20,000, oil & filter at 40,000.
Those were mostly Cummins 14 liter powered. Oil samples were lab tested. Had the okay from Cummins, they honored the 500,000 mile warranty.

Willie

Dick2 · Jan 11, 2015

I think that the difference between tractors and trucks is primarily the amount of oil in the crankcase of each.

I change regular oil in the truck at 5,000 miles. 3,000 mile oil changes is a carry over from the old days when they had different oil and different engiens - not necessary any more.

I use synthetic in the car; manufacturer recommends change at 10,000 miles for synthetic.

MSM · Jan 11, 2015

In the newer pickup diesel engines,the oil does more than lubricate.On your Ford for example it changes the vanes on the turbo which controls the boost,it fires the injectors,through the high pressure oil pump and helps cool the engine parts. Thick dirty oil will affect how the truck starts and runs cold as well at higher rpms. If you started your truck and drove 150 miles at highway speeds,shut it off, and drove 150 miles back every day,you could stretch you oil changes. But if you are doing short trips, not getting up to temperature,idling in traffic,driving at slow speeds,5000 miles is about as far as I would stretch an oil change

Bob Bancroft · Jan 11, 2015

My pickup is the only thing I've got which thinks it's smart enough to tell me when it wants its oil changed. And that's fine with me. Being a farm vehicle, it gets a lot of idling and poking around. I just serviced it at 5500 miles, and 270 hours. That averages about 20 MPH.

The problem with recommendations are they are just that, recommendations, and are very arbitrary. The parameters involved are almost endless. So it's easy to see where with any type of fleet operation, oil testing is the way to go.

I've had diesel engines where with oil change at 100 hours, the fresh oil is darkened just pouring it in. Then I've had others you could run for several days before the oil started to darken.
The hardest working engine on this farm(tractor) has a 250 hour oil change interval. I think that's a bit much.

Brendon-KS · Jan 11, 2015

My opinion is that it has to do with how differently the "average" engine in each type of vehicle is used. Most agriculture and construction engines are run for a long, continuous periods of time which allows condensation to cook out of the oil. On the other hand, many cars and pickups are started up, driven ten minutes, and shut down again which leads to oil contamination.

Pair-a-dice farm · Jan 11, 2015

I'm still old school. I try to change my pickups at 3000 miles. I use them for short trips, long trips, idling and driving through dusty or muddy fields. I only use what ever is cheapest at walmart oil and in 40 years have only had to overhaul 1 engine and that was one that I bought that was worn out. I usually get rid of them when they have 250K or more miles.
My tractors I change around 150 hours. My older tractors are tach hours but my newer are clock hours. I've thought different times about checking how many clock hours compare to tach hours, is there an accepted average?

jm. · Jan 11, 2015

I have drove f 150 fords for the last 35 years and for years changed oil ever 3000 miles. About 8 years ago I went to synthic oil and extend the change interval to 500 miles. Fast forward to this spring I was picked to test own one of the new aluminum 2015 units. Ford want to use the computer to let me know when to do the change. Right now I have 6,600 miles on the original oil and it has not called for oil change. Got to be getting close. V6 eco boost. O I have never had any engine problems in the 35 years.

Michael Soldan · Jan 11, 2015

I was taught the belief that oil becomes acidic over time and it gathers condensation and micro debris. I think that oil and filters work together and the part of the oil change that is most important is the filter change. Changing oil a couple of times a year even if the odometer or hour guage doesn't call for it is a good way to keep internals clean. Does oil lose its ability to lubricate? I think it does over time when any fuel from the cylinders mixes with it. I do what I think is right,every 3000 on odometer or twice a year which ever comes first. I have never lost an engine. This is just my opinion,no more important that anyone else's,

rustyfarmall · Jan 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:52:24 01/11/15) I was taught the belief that oil becomes acidic over time and it gathers condensation and micro debris. I think that oil and filters work together and the part of the oil change that is most important is the filter change. Changing oil a couple of times a year even if the odometer or hour guage doesn't call for it is a good way to keep internals clean. Does oil lose its ability to lubricate? I think it does over time when any fuel from the cylinders mixes with it. I do what I think is right,every 3000 on odometer or twice a year which ever comes first. I have never lost an engine. This is just my opinion,no more important that anyone else's,

Michael, I agree with you. Sadly, I am guilty of not practicing what I preach. My one ton dually has not had an oil change for over 2 years, but then it has probably accumulated less than 200 miles in that time frame. I did pull the dipstick a few days ago, and while the oil still looked good, it did have sort of a sour smell. I think it's time for that truck to go to town for an oil and filter change, and have the chassis lubed at the same time. Crawling around on the cold floor underneath the truck just doesn't appeal to me anymore.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 11, 2015

I have 2 cars, one truck ranging form 50-100k. The GM dealer has changed my oil from day 1. All will go 3k and not use a drop of oil. Push it to 4k and they will be down 1/2 qt. Push them to 5k and one car will be down 1 1/2 qt and it only holds 3 1/2 qts.

So the 3K rule is a good one for me to follow. Then every other oil change I go next door and tire rotates and balances my tires for free.

sotxbill · Jan 11, 2015

wow.. lots of misinformation here..

hd oils have special additives to fight acid and moisture. They have additives to suspend soot and have cleaners to fight dirt.. They suspend particles, they dont turn to wax and sludge.They have heavy wear additives that dont come into play unless a part gets hot, then they coat it. They have friction modifiers that increase mpg. They do not break down viscosity. They do not separate and vent off the thin portions and thicken like cheap oils.

NO modern engine needs an oil change sooner than 7500 miles with a good oil.. Any sooner and your simply wasting the oil and the additives. The extreme base additive will fight acid and moisture, both of which cause you to change early.

simply said.. if your changing before 7500 miles you wasting resources, money, and your time. HD diesel oils now go 10,000 miles between changes and have enough left over that they will still be adequate if you miss a change.

Moral of story.. run a decent hd oil, and move to a 7500 minimum and 10,000 mile change. I buy the better oils and moved everything to a 10k change. But then I am only getting 225k on my gas engines before I sell them and move on.

oldtanker · Jan 11, 2015

I change oil in the tractors at 100 hours. I do the Suburban at 2500. I did that with the last one and traded it at 313,000 miles. I did put a transmission in it at 258,000 but that was the only major repair. We use it as primary transportation and haul bagged feed and loaded wagons with it. When we traded the last one the sales manager at the dealership told my wife I hope you do business with us again. She told him we'd be back when we had 300K on this one!

Rick

State of Jefferson · Jan 11, 2015

I know in my older Powerstrokes, when they get near 5000 miles on the oil, they don't run as well. My understanding is the anti-foam additives break down, causing the injectors to loose some 'Punch'. So I try to change my oil somewhere between 4.5-5.5k miles.

Ben

GordoSD · Jan 11, 2015

I wish I was close enough to buy that 2500 mile used oil. I would run it in my Tahoe for 5000 more. LOL

tedregentin · Jan 11, 2015

On the length of millage between oil changes, I offer a different perspective. I own and manage a ten bay service facility. I am more in the management end now, rather than repairing cars. My shop doesn't do a lot of oil changes, the quick lube places have taken that over. However, we still recommend with some exceptions for synthetic oil and some diesels, 3,000 mi intervals for oil changes. I recommend this because most people no longer check their oil. At 3,000 miles we find lots of cars very low when we check the oil level before dumping the old oil. An oil change is still the cheapest maintenance one can do for their car. Just my two cents worth.

G1355 · Jan 11, 2015

I have three dodge trucks, change each one between 2000 and 2500 miles, always figure oil and a filter is cheap compared to having motor problems by not changing it, and running in clean oil is about the best thing to do.

Russ from MN · Jan 11, 2015

You are wasting a lot of oil!

Mike M · Jan 11, 2015

Well many are just going by the oil change index computer. Seems strange to me to let them go 10,000 between oil changes but I know of several that do and have had 0 problems out to 400,000 miles. This is even on the diesel models.
I try and do my cars at 5,000 to 6,000 miles ?
On my car the index reads 40% around then. I just can't bring myself to let it go to 0% !

cs.hess · Jan 11, 2015

About 1990 our company changed to Castrol synthetic an oil changes were made at 30000 miles---Drive line an steering were greased every 7500 miles an same as yours annalyis was done on every oil change.Detroits-Cats at that time.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 11, 2015

I totally agree with you, cars will begin using oil before the computer says you should change it.

Many of my tractors and mowers the same way. I keep a very close eye on the dipstick. Some say change oil every 100 hrs. I have some mowers begin using oil after 50-60 hours. I buy good brand of oil on sale for around $2. Pick up some full synthetic for around $3 on sale. I use full synthetic in my old Jubilee only because spin on oil filter sits sideways and over time 1/2 the oil in filter drains back.

I use full synthetic in my generators too. If a generator runs 24/7 it doesn't take long to rack up the hours. The engine only holds 500 ml too. So I check the oil on all my tractors, mowers, generators before I start them.

Nothing I have makes it to the time manual says I should change them. Changing oil is Cheap insurance.

jon f mn · Jan 11, 2015

Both my Volvo and my older Cummins recomended oil changes at 25,000 miles or 800 hours. I change at 20,000 miles and because I don't idle much that's about 450 hours. My current miles is right at 270,052 miles and 5980.9 total engine hours.

ss55 · Jan 11, 2015

Oil change intervals are a guideline based on average use like: tire rotation; tuneup; antifreeze; brake fluid; transmission and rear end fluids.

I take the oil capacity into account, if an engine has a large sump and the oil looks good, I'll run the oil longer than one with a smaller 4 1/2 quart sump (pretty cheap and easy to change the oil). I tend to run brake fluid and rear end oil longer than recommended because they are more difficult to change.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 11, 2015

I know a man who worked at a gas station changing oil. He would bring home used oil for his car. Gives a new meaning to changing oil, changing oil from one car to another.

The hydraulics on my Terramite holds 5 gallons of 10w40 motor oil, not hydraulic oil. I change it every 300hrs. If the oil looks clean and smell good, I will allow it to sit in a 5 gallon bucket for a few months. Any solid particles will settle to the bottom. I skim off the used oil and use it in 25 year old lawn mowers that don't have an oil filter. The oil in those mowers turns black half way through the summer. I figure my used hydraulic oil if better than not changing oil in mowers. The last time I changed the hydraulic oil, it smelled. That oil got used it to start a brush fire like the rest of my used oil.

I wouldn't run the risk of using any oil removed from an engine, acid issues.

pickup truck oil changes...

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