Oil Change

I change my oil about every 2500 - 3000 miles... right before my x-country trip and again before the return trip. The oil is black as tar. I'd much rather "waste" a few $$ on oil, than break down in western texas, NM or AZ in the middle of freakin no where with a blown engine. I use castrol dino oil

 

I HIGHLY doubt any decent vehicle made within the last 20 years would break down or 'blow' an engine due to dirty oil. If the oil is still flowing, you are OK. Blown engines are generally due to a loss of lubricating fluids. Either by excessive consumption or a catastrophic failure.

The additive packages available in todays oil are very sophisticated and will allow you to extended oil changes much beyond the recommendations of the wrench monkey at Jiffy Lube.

Also, if you are having excessively dirty oil, the oil isn't your problem. You should invest in a quality air filter and oil filter.

 

3k miles is a threshold established by the oil industry. That's what Jiffy Lube tells you... for a reason($$$). You do NOT need to change it that often. I change out synthetic every 6k, and that is perfectly healthy for the truck.

 

Actually you're only partially correct in your statement. The auto industry and the oil industry many years ago determined that 3000 was about the life of the old back in the day and with the way engines were made about 3000 miles was also about the time the filters and everything would have enough "sediment" and such to need the change.

Today however with newer engines running better cylinder tollerances producing less "sediment" and such as well as the improvement in oil technologies, many newer vehicles now have a 5000 mile recomendation for oil changes with non-synthetic oils. You do have to watch what oil and filter you get though. For instance (if you use Fram filters) make sure you get the one that's rated for 5000 mile intervals for changing. Also Mobile makes a non-synthetic oil that's designed for the 5000 mile interval (Mobile 5000) the other oils out there may only be formulate for the 3500 mile interval.

 

Hey i am do for my first oil change soon... What number filter and how many quarts.. Thanks

 

man i will stand out on this...

i run 10w40...synblend...and change every 4000 miles...
this is what i run in every truck i have owned...no problems...and the last one had 240,000 miles and used no oil between changes...