Oil change intervals?

[Juan]

I'm curious...What kind and how often do you change the oil in your tow vehicles? My truck tells me to change the oil about every 3000 miles (and I've been doing that) but I use Pennzoil 5w30 full synthetic extended mileage oil that claims to be good for 20,000 miles between changes. I'm starting to think I shouldn't be listening to my truck.

[gnrphil]

On my last truck I changed it right after I put a new engine in it 

[yankee]

I change mine every 5000 and am running 10W 30, non synthetic. I was told that prior to the HD version of motor oil 3000 miles was the norm, but with the additives and advancements in refining that 5000 for non synthetic and 15000 for full synthetic's??? My previous vehicle was a 2005 Dodge Ram with their hemi under the hood. Purchased it at an auction with 60,000+ miles and drove it for 9 years. When I sold it it had 302,000+ on it with regular oil changes at 5000 miles running non synthetic oil. That's in these hot Texas summers also.

[Juan]

Sept 17, 2021 6:32:15 GMT -6 yankee said:

I change mine every 5000 and am running 10W 30, non synthetic. I was told that prior to the HD version of motor oil 3000 miles was the norm, but with the additives and advancements in refining that 5000 for non synthetic and 15000 for full synthetic's??? My previous vehicle was a 2005 Dodge Ram with their hemi under the hood. Purchased it at an auction with 60,000+ miles and drove it for 9 years. When I sold it it had 302,000+ on it with regular oil changes at 5000 miles running non synthetic oil. That's in these hot Texas summers also.

That's good to hear! My truck is a hemi Dodge Ram that recently turned 100K miles and it's primary use is pulling the boat so for the added protection, I've always used full synthetic oil and changed the oil when the message popped up telling me it's time. I just don't understand why the truck tells me it's time to change oil at 3,000 miles when the oil I use says it's good for 20,000 miles. Is there something in the truck's computer that's set to tell you an oil change is due every 3.000 miles? How does the computer know what kind of oil is in the engine and when it should be changed? Since the oil container claims the oil is good for 20k miles between changes, I think it will be safe to start changing oil at 7-8k miles instead of 3k.

[yankee]

I agree with the 7 - 8k mile intervals. I grew up in western Pennsylvania where the cars rust out from all of the ice prevention during the winter. My grandfather would change his oil and then spray the used oil he removed up under his vehicle to help prohibit the effects of the salt. When he passed away in 1991, his daily driver was a 53 Dodge Coronet. Just something to ponder with the salt water/air in your neighborhood.