Do you change your oil change intervals when towing?

[Zac808]

We are embarking on a 2000 mile RV trip this Saturday. My truck computer is saying "50% oil life". I am not sure if the truck adjusts the interval based on any other factors besides mileage. I would like to think the computer knows how often the truck is working hard to give you an accurate oil life statement.

[Mike and Cha]

I could be wrong but I think it only goes by miles driven or maybe adjusted for engine running time if you have a lot of idling time stuck in traffic. If you are using a quality oil I would go by whatever your manual recommends you do. There is usually a section that may change the intervals based on use such as towing, or driving in extreme heat, or off road conditions. Then I would just do whatever the manual says. If you are close before a big trip it never hurts to change the oil ahead of time and start the trip fresh.

[dwhit]

It clearly states in the manual that towing is severe duty.

I'm pulling about 18K thru Colorado on I-70. I changed the oil before my trip as I jus' purchased the tractor and I don't know how old the oil is. I think it had 3K on it. Not everyone baby's their engines. I do, and I don't make it work too hard either. At the end of my 6K loop I'll change it again. I change all the passenger vehicles @5K, and mtcyls 3K.

[Mr_D]

Our cars do but they're bot Honda's. RPM and temps are part of the equation.

[1bigmess]

Read the manual. Follow it. You'll be fine.

[MtnTrek]

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

Read the manual. Follow it. You'll be fine.

x2
You've got the right tool for the job. Use tow/haul mode & engine brake.
I'd follow the DIC as to your service intervals. Your on-board computer ECM tracks a lot of info. this is why it's listed as % and not miles. It's a variable formula. It follows when you've been running WOT (wide open throttle) all afternoon with a strong head wind. Coasting down a 8% grade in 4th gear for 30 mi. it knows.

I have one of those OBD2 scanners that runs real-time I can view on my smart phone. These late model trucks have a lot going on.

The only thing we do while towing is allow a short idle speed cool down after a prolonged WOT stretch or hard pulls to let the TC and exhaust cool slightly. Over time any Turbo can coke oil in the bearing area if shut off while still very hot.

From the D-max supplement:
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.

Happy trails.

[Zac808]

Originally Posted by MtnTrek

x2
You've got the right tool for the job. Use tow/haul mode & engine brake.
I'd follow the DIC as to your service intervals. Your on-board computer ECM tracks a lot of info. this is why it's listed as % and not miles. It's a variable formula. It follows when you've been running WOT (wide open throttle) all afternoon with a strong head wind. Coasting down a 8% grade in 4th gear for 30 mi. it knows.

I have one of those OBD2 scanners that runs real-time I can view on my smart phone. These late model trucks have a lot going on.

The only thing we do while towing is allow a short idle speed cool down after a prolonged WOT stretch or hard pulls to let the TC and exhaust cool slightly. Over time any Turbo can coke oil in the bearing area if shut off while still very hot.

From the D-max supplement:
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message when it is time
to change the engine oil and filter.

Happy trails.

Thank you. That os the info that I was looking for.

Yes...always tow mode. No exhaust brake on my model. Anf I ALWAYS make sure EGT is below 350 prior to shut down.

[Wireman1]

JMO, but I like to start out with a fresh oil change before I start on a long trip if possible. Especially summer heat and heavy towing conditions (mountains, etc.)

Easier to change at home than on the road.

If you were closer to 80-85% I wouldn't worry about it.

Depends on where you are going and driving conditions.

[charliez]

I change my oil and rotate my tires way way too often then what the book says. Regardless of use. Before any tow, I change my oil and rotate tires, regardless of when it was done last. Extremely good maintenance will always be way way way cheaper than a new truck.

My new to me 2012. I have changed the il twice before the change oil message popped up. This is the first one I've had with that feature.

[Zac808]

Thanks all for the replies. I ended up changing oil with Rotella synthetic because Oreillys had them on sale with a rebate.

We made it into Denver. Truck did good up to Eisenhower but a little scary coming down. Turbo brake will be the next mod for sure.

[SmokeyWren]

Yeah, my Owner's Guide says to go by the messages on the display. One of the messages is to change the oil. The oil change message comes up anywhere between about 3,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on how the truck is driven. My 2012 has the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor that uses several factors, including how hard the engine works, to determine when it's time to turn on the oil change light. Normal oil change interval before that light comes on is 7,500 to 10,000 miles, with no towing and never overloaded. Severe usage oil change interval is 5,000 to 7,500 miles, including most towing. Extreme usage oil change interval is as little as 3,000 miles, including towing at (or above) the GVWR of the tow vehicle, and extreme ambient temps such as very cold or very hot weather conditions.

Per you CAT scale ticket, you were 10,400 GVW on the two truck axles. I'll bet your GVWR is less than 10,000, so that 337RLS is a bit too much trailer for your TV.

[Bob1340]

On my 2015 RAM the truck knows when you are towing and adjusts the oil life feature accordingly. I didn't know this but when I took the truck in for it's first service the gal handed me a print out and it showed X number of miles towing.

The way engines are built today and the very high quality of engine oils that old school idea of changing oil at 3,000 miles is just crazy. I run 6-8 K on my trucks and I'll run 10K on my Durango.