Community Forums

supercub · 09-28-2005, 05:44 PM

I have an 03 Southwind 32vs with the 8.1 I bought it last June and supposedly the dealer did an oil change in Feb 05, when it had about 5,000 miles. I have about 6,000 miles now, and want to change the oil, just to be on the safe side, and set up my own schedule. Unless otherwise indicated on here, I'm planning on changing it every 3,000 miles, along with the filter (cheap insurance I think) Anyway, what oil is recommended......I've been told Mobil 1 syntehic is good. How bout filters? Are there things to lube on the chasis too?? I read someplace about the transmission filter too...what about that....I know I'm asking a lot of questions.....but I'm trying to learn. Thanks for any and all info.
Brian

supercub · 09-28-2005, 05:44 PM

I have an 03 Southwind 32vs with the 8.1 I bought it last June and supposedly the dealer did an oil change in Feb 05, when it had about 5,000 miles. I have about 6,000 miles now, and want to change the oil, just to be on the safe side, and set up my own schedule. Unless otherwise indicated on here, I'm planning on changing it every 3,000 miles, along with the filter (cheap insurance I think) Anyway, what oil is recommended......I've been told Mobil 1 syntehic is good. How bout filters? Are there things to lube on the chasis too?? I read someplace about the transmission filter too...what about that....I know I'm asking a lot of questions.....but I'm trying to learn. Thanks for any and all info.
Brian

rvjer · 09-28-2005, 07:35 PM

Hi Brian,
I don't put a lot of miles on mine so I change the oil & filter once a year. When I get to about 15,000 miles I will switch to Mobil 1, till then I use 5W30 oil. IF you have the Allison trans you should have changed the filter at 5,000, If you have the Chevy trans, I'm not sure if it requires a filter change that soon.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 09-29-2005, 02:45 AM

Yes there are lubrication points on the chassis. Download the 'Chassis Guide' from this forum, see Drivers posts in this Workhorse Chassis Motorhome Club Forum.

Edmund A Skibinski · 09-29-2005, 02:57 AM

Brian, I would hold off using synthetic oil until the speedometer reached 10,000 miles this way your sure that the valves have been seated properly, and Mobil 1 is a good oil to do that transition with. Ed.S

Woof · 09-29-2005, 01:05 PM

One of the benefits of synthetic oil is it requires less frequent changing. I have a 2002 Adventurer and use Mobil synthetic oil, but I change the filter every 3-4,000 miles and usually add enough oil to off set for the oil lost in the filter change. On a long trip like last year, VA to Alaska and back, I would change the filter in the morning after having spent the night some where. Not much oil drips and usually I catch it in a newspaper.

supercub · 09-29-2005, 04:22 PM

Sorry, need more help.......haven't been able to download the chasis Guide from Driver....HELPPPPPPPP. Thanks....is there a link??
Brian

Tom N · 09-29-2005, 05:05 PM

Workhorse requires 3000 miles oil changes even if using synthetics. You are doing a disservice to readers to recommend changing less often than 3000 miles. And the dusty areas traveling to Alaska would be considered severe service and require changes more often than 3000 miles.

"007" · 09-29-2005, 09:08 PM

Brian, the link to the download has been discontinued, your service manual for your chassis from WH should have pictures of locations to be lubed. Your drive shaft at universals will have a zurk fitting with a small plastic cap on it, just take cap off fitting but not completly because you will recap fitting after greasing it. You will find fittings at steering and wheel locations of front end. I use the Mobil-111 filter and Mobil synthetic oil 5-30w change between 3500 and 4500 miles both filter and oil. Started using syn around 8000 miles purrs like a kitten.
You can go to WH site and order a CD of the new service manual.
Your trans filter should have been changed at 5000 miles if you have a ALLISON, a CHEV dealer will have one, pick up a quart of trans oil also when you change filter you will not lose that much oil, just have a small container under old filter when you remove it.
Hope this helps, enjoy your new coach and many happy miles.

"007"

FDchief · 09-30-2005, 07:44 AM

Supercub, you can always count on good advice here, and of course I must contribute. I apologize for the long post up front.

I do use synthetic (Mobil 1 5W-30), and have been doing so since 5k miles (now have 16k). Many folks will tell you that you should wait until 10k miles before using synthethics.
This is not exactly correct. In fact most manufacturers of sports cars (like Corvette) deliver their cars from the factory with full synthetics. I would recommend waiting 5k miles if it gives someone a warm and fuzzy feeling.

If you are like most RVers, it will take you a year to put on 3k miles unless you have lots of time (and now money) on your hands. So, to not have to change your oil every three months you should use synthetic oil as unlike fossil derived dino oil, synthetic does not break down over time losing it's viscosity. I would recommend the extended time/mileage Mobil 1 so that once a year drain intervals are sufficient.

As far as filters go, I use a Napa Gold #7099 which is made by Wix, one of the best filter manufacturers out there. There are some folks on the forum here that use the larger filter for increased volume/cooling. I don't feel that it's all that necessary, but again if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, do it.

I am relatively sure that you have the Allison 1000 series transmission in your rig, and as such you should (should have) changed the spin on filter at 5k miles. This is very easy to do. First off, go directly to Allison and buy the filters for about $8 each, not the $22 that chevrolet will charge you for them. Next take off the spin on filter making sure to retrieve the magnet from the top of it. Place the magnet back over the threaded filter tube where it will attach itself to the bottom of the transmission. Now fill up the new filter with Dexron III, and spin it on. Warm up the transmission and check for level, you should be good to go. Really very simple. There is an internal filter in the transmission but it only needs to be changed if the transmission is rebuilt. At 24 months I like most on the forum have done, I changed to Transynd (synthetic). Again for that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Lube points on the chassis are on both ends of the tie rod, lower control arms and drag link. Don't forget to lube ALL of the zerks on the propeller shaft (driveline)as there are several.

Doing maintenance on this rig is really very simple. I would rather change oil on my motorhome more than I would my car, lots more room to work.

By the way, you should change your generator oil once a year also. You guessed it, I use Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5W-40 synthetic

Woof · 09-30-2005, 06:07 PM

As far as what I said about changing oil less often than 3,000 miles still goes. I answered the question from my experience and with 30,000+ miles and no trouble. You answer the question from your experience. If I had not found this method to work I would have changed.

Tom N · 10-01-2005, 05:22 AM

I didn't express my experiences or opinions.

I expressed Workhorse's warranty requirement of 3000 mile oil changes.

Possibly you should contact Waorkhorse with your findings and they will extend their oil change schedule.

DriVer · 10-01-2005, 01:43 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
I didn't express my experiences or opinions. I expressed Workhorse's warranty requirement of 3000 mile oil changes. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Now let's put this turkey on the table and have some dinner!

First of all let's haul in some References, Owner's Manual Forward Control Chassis, Part Number W0004539, Section 4, Page 139, "When To Change Your Engine Oil".

First off IF you accomplish trips of less than 5 to 10 miles in below freezing weather, OR your trips require extensive idling (like getting constantly stuck in Washington DC loop traffic) OR most trips are through dusty areas OR if your vehicle is used for delivery service, police,

use taxi or other commercial application, you must change your engine oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first.

Now let's talk about what "we" typically do. We get in the motorhome and run in typically clean environments. (occasionally running a little dust) We typically start the MH up and run 300 miles at highway speeds allowing the engine oil to completely warm up and we often will allow the engine to briefly cool down at the end of the day by idling it for about 2 to 3 minutes, and then shut it down.

Operating under these conditions we can use what Workhorse has told us is the "Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule". The requirement is to: Change the oil and filter every 7500 miles or 12 months whichever comes first. (Further), Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under (typical) highway conditions causes the engine oil to break down slower.

This maintenance schedule is to be accomplished with API rated oil or simply dinosaur based (mineral/conventional) motor oil using a 5W-30 in colder climates and a 10W-30 weight oil in temperatures above 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not over fill you could damage the engine.

Now if you choose to run synthetic during this period, I do, you can rest assured that your engine will be well protected by the best motor oil, actually fluid it's not really oil. You may not find an API sticker on a bottle of synthetic oil because there isn't enough mineral base in the oil to qualify and because it's not petroleum motor oil. Looking over my container of Series 2000 Amsoil it doesn't carry an API starburst.

So that's it!

Tom N · 10-01-2005, 04:42 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Operating under these conditions we can use what Workhorse has told us is the "Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule". The requirement is to: Change the oil and filter every 7500 miles or 12 months whichever comes first. (Further), Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under (typical) highway conditions causes the engine oil to break down slower. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The "Owner's Manual, Forward Control Chassis Manual" does not deal specifically with a motor home. The 1999-2006 Workhorse Gas Motor Home Chassis Guide deals specifically with a Workhorse chassis used in a motohome environment. On page 94 Workhorse specifies Engine Oil 3000 miles. And, the factory rep I spoke to at Hershey 3 weeks ago also stated use the 3000 mile service interval.

I'm sticking to the 3000 mile interval and I reiterate that telling forum members to use synthtic and to just change the filter and add oil is harmful to the 8.1 in a 10 ton plus motorhome.

Would you care to comment on a members statement to use synthetic and just change the filter and add oil?? Especially on the Alaskan highway??

And, it is my opinion, that using synthetic oil does not change the manufactures recommended service intervals. Many like to think it does, to justify the addition cost of synthetic oils.