PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

Also, my truck has no oil gauge, just a light; In 10 years and 106K miles it's never come on. How do I know it's accurate?

 

The light we have isn't going to do anybody much good unless you stare at your dash. I think it pops on at less than 10#. Nothing to do with oil level. A gauge doesn't do much either though unless you're looking when it runs out or breaks a pump or whatever, a few seconds of no oil flowing is bad.

 

Yes. When you work in an industry that does condition based maintenance versus time based you learn how to save money and labor.

 

I can see doing that in an 18-wheeler, but not a daily-driven pickup truck...

 

I don’t work in the auto industry. But an engine is an engine no matter the size or displacement. The theory works the same. If you have a large turbine generator with 10k gallons of oil, replacing it every X amount of hours is not the answer. Just as replacing oil every x amount of miles is not for a car. Granted the cost of replacement is cheaper but throwing away 6 quarts of oil earlier than needed over the course of a vehicles lifespan can add up to a significant chunk of change.

 

Ok scratch that piece of shit. I’ve got the old school one, doesn’t get great reviews but gets all the oil and it’s a large opening in case you’re a little tipsy while wrenching.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hopkins-FloTool-11837-10-Quart-Oil-Drain-Pan/20440557

 

I definitely don't pull a Hank Hill (changes oil every 3,000 miles or whenever he gets bored, whichever comes first). However, I put over 7,000 miles on my truck in a little over four months (June 29th, 2019-present) and I'd say it's roughly half highway and half city/stop-and-go driving. Also, how I would even gauge the amount of oil coming out of the engine if I changed half of it?

 

I run Mobile 1 and change it every 5k miles. I don't trust any oil past 5k.

 

I've changed my Mobil 1 at 8,000 and 7,500 respectively. My truck seems to run fine, but then again I don't drive it hard and it has low miles for its age...

2010 purchased new in September 2009 with 20 miles on it; 106K and change on it now...

 

If you fill the bed with oil and use it as a sump you should be able to go pretty long before a change is needed.

If I read the above correctly.

 

Based on what I said or what @Crosis said?

 

The dipstick is your friend. Here is what I put on my 7.3 diesel, bad oil will shorten the life of the injectors so clean oil is even more important than on a gasser. At 17 quarts a change I figure I’ll be ahead of the game in about 1 year. Shell rotella T6 isn’t cheap. Take note of the sampling port at the inlet which allows for sampling while the oil is circulating.

 

6 spd. or whoever said not to throw away 10 thousand gallons.

I was just expounding that more oil DOES mean longer intervals. 500 gallons would stay cleaner.

Actually, a 4 banger with 5 1/2 qts. prob. is pretty easy on oil.

 

I agree with that and was not advocating to make a giant oil sump into a 2.7 liter engine lol. A sump is sized for the application. I was simply using that analogy that the cost of changing oil “because it’s been in an engine for a year” is not good financial logic. The oil change should be based on the contaminant levels in the oil, otherwise you are just throwing away money. With a 4 banger, maybe a few bucks each time; but as the machine gets larger that cost rises. Of course, I’m not a financial advisor so you all are free to spend your money on whatever, I choose to waste mine on car parts instead of car oil lol

 

I am pretty sure the cost of anylizing your oil (the only real way to test for contaminants) outweighs the cost of just changing it at a short set interval.

 

Agreed, I’ve never followed the 1 year recommendation (outside of warranty). Oil doesn’t break down sitting in your oil pan unused. I’m driving less than 3000 miles a year and plan to change every 3 years or more.

 

Why does your 2010 maintenance light come on at 5,000 miles intervals? Oil change I guess. At 30K miles I changed to the synthetic every 5k. If you only drive 5k a year, you don't drive enough to burn out the engine moisture. Would suggest changing twice a year , fall and spring. Short trips are very hard on engines and exhaust systems.

 

The 2.7 holds more oil than the 4L V6, wonder why? The 2.7 works a broader power band and rpm range than the V6 does.

 

I generally put over 12K on my truck per year, and in the last year I’ve put roughly 17K on it.

 

negative ghost rider.