How often do you change oil (C-7)

[Chief]

Cat manual indicates that normal oil change interval should be 11000 miles or every year-whichever occurs first. Freightliner cust service says every 6000 miles or 6 months-whichever occurs first.

While the FL schedule would obviously be the safest interval, I am inclined to follow the CAT recommendation, especially since I use CAT diesel engine oil and send in an oil sample at each oil change.

Would be interested in what others are doing.

[Harry S.]

I have mine serviced by Cat once a year....we average 8K miles a year.
want to keep on good terms with Cat.....I have had bad experiences with
Freightliner....cat is about $200.00 more but worth the piece of mind.

[AFChap]

My Cummins manual says 12 months or 15k miles. My dealership gave me a maintenance that had a ridiculously low miles/month change schedule -- I figured they were trying to milk as much $$ out me as possible. I follow the Cummins schedule. So far for me it has been every 12 months with 6k -9k miles.

[jdoc]

I also do mine once a year whether it needs it or not. We usually put around 10,000 miles a year on it. This year may be more since we are planning a trip to VA in September and October.
Jerry

[JoeT]

I change mine once a year or 11,000 miles per CAT requirements.

[soberjoe]

I use Ring Power here in Gainesville and a larger one right off I-75 north of Gainesville. They are very friendly and helpful. It's not cheap to do it right, but if you ever have a problem and all your work was done by Cat you should be okay.

[Teach]

I change mine annually. We average about 9,000 miles per year. I only use Cat filters.

[hardy1000]

I change mine annualy and only put 5-6k miles on it. My Cummins manual say's 15k miles or 1 year which I comply with. Delo Oil

[historyljc]

Mine is changed annually at the Freightliner Service Center in Gaffney, SC. They call for annually or 15,000 miles. I've averaged about 8,500 miles per year. This year my mileage, with my trip out west and other extended travel, will run in the over 12,000 mile range by the time its March due date rolls around.

[Pat Z]

I chabge mine once a year also some years it is only 6,000 miles but I figure an oil change is cheaper than an engine. I also have all the fluids checked and the chassis lubed at that time.

[CAT Lover]

I find CAT's oil change requirements are a little ot of Line. I would never take a 3126 motor to 15,000 miles in between oil changes. (I have the deep sump oil pan). These little kitty's love clean oil, the HEUI pump needs clean oil to run & start right.

I find the engine starts to run rough at around the 7500 mile mark. I try to change the oil between 7 & 10,000 miles depending on how hard the truck has been working. When i'm very busy I've changes the oil as much as 4 times a year.

[jgard489]

Went to Cat seminar a couple years back, The Rep said once a year for RVs, we just don't put the wear and tare on our rigs like the truckers.

[sailor_lou]

I change it every fall, but like some of the others, I only average about 6K miles/year. In any case, I'd stick with the CAT recommendations 11K/yearly.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

[Pat Z]

Originally Posted by jgard489

Went to Cat seminar a couple years back, The Rep said once a year for RVs, we just don't put the wear and tare on our rigs like the truckers.

I change mine once a year when I get the Chassis lubed and the coach inspected