Oil Change Frequency

[CarbonSteel]

So going back almost 30 years ago-we used oil analysis in the Army and from what I can recall that over 8 years between active duty and National Guard service with a major deployment (Bosnia) I think I saw maybe a half of dozen vehicles that actually needed their oil changed and there was maybe 2-3 that needed an actual engine changed out due to a failure.

Different use case and engines (diesel) but I'm of the mind set that arbitrary oil changes at 3-5K are a bit overkill and just pad dealerships pockets.

I would agree 30 years ago--but with direct injection and higher operating temperatures, one would be wise to at least know how much dilution is happening. Fuel in the oil degrades the viscosity and the additive package much faster than normal, and the iOLM will not detect that. For most here, it will not matter in the slightest--few these days keep their vehicles long enough for it to make a difference, but turbochargers and the like are expensive.

Each has to decide what works best for them, but there can be no doubt that modern engines have operating conditions vastly different than the engines of old.

Had I done what most do (not change the factory fill until the iOLM said to), the oil would have been below xW-20 viscosity--not something that is conducive to long life.

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[Sherminiator]

I would agree 30 years ago--but with direct injection and higher operating temperatures, one would be wise to at least know how much dilution is happening. Fuel in the oil degrades the viscosity and the additive package much faster than normal, and the iOLM will not detect that. For most here, it will not matter in the slightest--few these days keep their vehicles long enough for it to make a difference, but turbochargers and the like are expensive.

Each has to decide what works best for them, but there can be no doubt that modern engines have operating conditions vastly different than the engines of old.

Had I done what most do (not change the factory fill until the iOLM said to), the oil would have been below xW-20 viscosity--not something that is conducive to long life.

But also keep in mind the Army was using Diesel engines and they are similar to how the ecoboost engines work with high pressure fuel rails and other things, not to mention Diesels generally operate dirty-I've had engines push oil out the exhaust because the operators didn't get them up to operating temp by running them at high idle and getting the piston rings to expand.

 

[CarbonSteel]

But also keep in mind the Army was using Diesel engines and they are similar to how the ecoboost engines work with high pressure fuel rails and other things, not to mention Diesels generally operate dirty-I've had engines push oil out the exhaust because the operators didn't get them up to operating temp by running them at high idle and getting the piston rings to expand.

No argument for me on that point, however, 5% fuel dilution is something that cannot be ignored or, perhaps it can, depending on how one maintains their vehicles.

 

[Badrap]

Valvoline got Ford 2.3L engines to run for 500,000 miles using OEM recommended oil change intervals. That's with both their conventional and synthetic oils.

I don't think the brand of oil makes much difference. Just change it as recommended. People on here talk about changing the oil more often. Why? They never specify what problem they're avoiding nor give any evidence to support their decision other than "that's what we've always done" or something similar. Sounds like the masculine version of an old wives tale.

Those who make a living from selling oil changes will tell you the OEM recommended isn't enough so they can sell more oil. They're selling uncertainty and doubt.

https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/...e-teardown-see-the-full-synthetic-difference/

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[crenca]

Internet mechanics just want to justify their wasteful spending on frequent oil changes and oil analysis. They have no scientific data to back it except for their own experience. I’m at 40k miles. Was using the Motorcraft semi synthetic as recommended. Usually changing around every 7k miles. I switched to full synthetic last oil change. My engine runs just fine. I would imagine ford engineers know better than some random bro on the forum.

You say this without any sense of irony. We have objective data, using the same testing methodology that manufactures and the API use to come up with the recommendations and measuring standards.

All you have is your personal habits and anecdotal "nothing bad has happened to me yet that I know of" testimony.

Look I get it, you're cheap and want to stay cheap and argue with others that your cheapness should be normative.....but as a wise man said, cheapness is not a virtue

 

[Eljohno]

There is no reason not to follow this recommendation. It’s what ford recommends for non extreme condition use.
That being said, people change it as frequent as they want and spend as much money as they want on extra maintenence if they want. But, you have no idea if it is of any benefit.

True I have no proof that changing it every 3k miles has any benefits, but I have a strong hunch that clean fresh oil is much better than nasty dirty oil with 7-10k on it! Ford also has no problem putting plastic oil pans on their engines and transmission but I have another hunch that it's probably not the best thing to do!

 

[CarGuy]

Every 5K with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. It's my daily beater and I run it 75-80mph for 100 miles (non-stop) a couple times each week in the summer.

 

[Squatch]

Every 5K with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. It's my daily beater and I run it 75-80mpg for 100 miles (non-stop) a couple times each week in the summer.

You gotta tell us the secret to getting your mpg that high!


That 100 miles non-stop is better for it than a bunch of stop amd go stuff for 100 miles. The speed doesn't necessarily play into it with these modern engines.

 

[CalvinT]

but as a wise man said, cheapness is not a virtue

Said by salesmen everywhere. Sometimes it's true, sometimes it isn't.

A wise person will know the difference.

 

[CalvinT]

You gotta tell us the secret to getting your mpg that high!


That 100 miles non-stop is better for it than a bunch of stop amd go stuff for 100 miles. The speed doesn't necessarily play into it with these modern engines.

He's talking about gallons of oil, not gas.

 

[CarGuy]

You gotta tell us the secret to getting your mpg that high!


That 100 miles non-stop is better for it than a bunch of stop amd go stuff for 100 miles. The speed doesn't necessarily play into it with these modern engines.

mph. The higher speeds and turbos boosting on/off gets the oil temps up/down. Around town my oil temp is fairly consistent.

 

[adam1991]

You say this without any sense of irony. We have objective data, using the same testing methodology that manufactures and the API use to come up with the recommendations and measuring standards.

All you have is your personal habits and anecdotal "nothing bad has happened to me yet that I know of" testimony.

Look I get it, you're cheap and want to stay cheap and argue with others that your cheapness should be normative.....but as a wise man said, cheapness is not a virtue

Some people will also tell you "I don't wear seat belts and nothing bad has ever happened to me..."

 

[Squatch]

mph. The higher speeds and turbos boosting on/off gets the oil temps up/down. Around town my oil temp is fairly consistent.

Must not be a flat 100 miles, then?

 

[raptorusmaximus]

For what it's worth. I go 5k and use amsoil. My reasoning is this, there are fine screens to filter oil before it goes into the turbos, over time these screens can accumulate gunk and will allow less oil through. amsoil is a good quality full synthetic oil and has a high detergent level and should allow less accumulation on the screens.

 

[Smocaine]

For what it's worth. I go 5k and use amsoil. My reasoning is this, there are fine screens to filter oil before it goes into the turbos, over time these screens can accumulate gunk and will allow less oil through. amsoil is a good quality full synthetic oil and has a high detergent level and should allow less accumulation on the screens.

This is a big part of short intervals for me. Even if I could trust the engine oil for 10,000, it's turbo oil too, and it's doing a lot of hard work in there.

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