The 3,000 Mile Oil Change Myth

[FrontRangeRVer]

The 3,000 mile oil change myth

[FrontRangeRVer]

The 3,000 mile oil change myth

[ron55]

Is the 3000 mile oil change required for workhorse warrenty I thought the owners manual gave you the option of 7000 miles

[iRV4FUN]

My 2003 Vortec 8.1L with 8,500 miles just got Moble 1 Synthetic. An old timer whom owned an RV distributorship told me it was a cheap insurance policy. He said because my unit overwinters without exercise he likes the Moble 1 Syn. because it protects the internals better. So, prior to my $5.00 per quart investment I called Workhorse and they had no problem with this and suggested I continue to change up at their recommended intervals.

[oemtech]

I have said this for years... especially since synthetic oil became wide spread usage. I have a Black Stone labs report to prove it. With 5k 10w-30 Synthetic Penzoil Platinum, 2 qt AC Delco filter I had 3.9 TBN out of 8. In other words there was almost 50% of the additive package left in the oil.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Is the 3000 mile oil change required for workhorse warranty. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

As for 3k change interval in the manual... I believe that is a recommendation not a requirement. Because of it was I would be asking Workhorse for an oil and filter of their choice under the Mangnuson-Moss Act as I understand MMA..

[moldmkr]

I have been using Amsoil synthetic oil for the last 8 years. On my first F-250 I had 80,000 miles on the same oil. I was running a standard filter and a by-pass oil filter and changing filters every 15,000 miles and sending a sample of the oil in for analysis and it was still going strong. On my Current F-350 I have 36,000 miles and doing the same thing.

I am going to check into using the Amsoil on my MH as well after I need to change the break in oil.

[UFO Pilot]

I changed the oil at 3000 and 6000 miles. The change oil warning came on at 6800 miles AFTER the motor over heated when the water pump froze up.

If every 3000 miles is a requirement, why does my RV has the change oil monitoring system installed?

[oemtech]

I just checked the Workhorse Chassis Guide and it uses "recommend" not "require". It as refers you back to the "Owners Manual". So, I pulled my Workhorse Owners manual out and it says IF you do short trips (5 to 10 miles), extensive idling or dusty conditions you "need" to change your oil/filter every 3,000 otherwise it 7,500.

Now, that being said... GM has the Oil Life monitor system on most if not all current manufactured engines. This system may (depending on how and where you drive) notify you to change at 4,000 or maybe even 8,500.

[TXiceman]

In the past, engines were a lot dirtier and the oil was loaded with more contaminates. Also, the oil did not have the viscosity improvers that are in even the current Dino oils. The oil changes were necessry to keep the engine cleaner and from getting deposits built up.

Newer engines and oils can go a lot longer than the 3000 miles that the dealer (stealers) and oil change chins promote. They like the oil changes as it is a money maker.

So save your $$ and run with the equipment manufactures written schedules for normal or severe service.

The synthetics like Mobil 1 are a new ball game to most. As long as the oil is free of contaminants, and test OK, let it run. The shear index is greatly improved and the oils will hold the required viscosity properties much longer. The issue is contaminants and reduction of certain additives in the oil to combat oxidation, and moisture.

My personal feeling is to use a Dino oil if all you are doing is short trips because the moisture and acids are more of a concern than a long distant engine which has ample time to warm up properly. Long distant driving would probably do better with the proper synthetic oil.

Ken

[Jo/Lee]

2 qt AC Delco filter I had 3.9 TBN out of 8. In other words there was almost 50% of the additive package left in the oil.

Can you tell me the AC number for the 2qt oil filter? No one around here has a clue.
TIA

Lee

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
I have said this for years... especially since synthetic oil became wide spread usage. I have a Black Stone labs report to prove it. With 5k 10w-30 Synthetic Penzoil Platinum, 2 qt AC Delco filter I had 3.9 TBN out of 8. In other words there was almost 50% of the additive package left in the oil. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Dale, If you can not duplicate the TBN value indicated using a NAPA 1060 then this would validate the TBN result using the larger oil filter. I would venture that you cannot disprove that a smaller filter like the 1060 will not yield similar results to the 2QT AC.

The point of this post is "redundant or excessive" volumes of oil. Why can't we just use the amount of oil that is needed to get the job done. 1.5 additional quarts times many hundred vehicles is bulk oil that may not be necessary to process. Using a 1060 still pumps up the volume by .5 of a quart so in of itself still artificially inflates the crankcase capacity but not to the volume of a 2QT.

Using a 1060 one can still retain their oil when tested by Blackstone just as well I would venture. The PF454's volume would indeed be the "greenest" filter that one can use. A filter like a M1-111 in the same capacity as the 454 would be an excellent choice for those concerned about environmental impact.

[Clay L]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RON55:
Is the 3000 mile oil change required for workhorse warrenty I thought the owners manual gave you the option of 7000 miles </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My manual says if you pull a trailer that constitutes severe service and oil should be changed at 3000 miles. I figure pulling a toad is probably as severe as puling a trailer, so I change it at 3000.

[DonavonP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jo/Lee:
Can you tell me the AC number for the 2qt oil filter? No one around here has a clue.
TIA

Lee </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lee, go here (oemtech web site) and scroll down to the oil filter picture.

[Tom N]

The article cited by FrontRangeRVer applies to automobiles. I change my automobiles at 6000 miles.

Moving up to 30,000#s with a ~500 cu in gas engine is another matter. From my documentation that is severe service and requires 3000 mi filter and oil changes.

I follow GM's and Winnebago's documentation and change at ~3000 miles for the 8.1 used in a severe service application. A $35 oil and filter change is the cheapest service I do on my Suncruiser.

-Tom