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I am in the process of figuring out both a budget for the full timing life we have planned and maintenance on the tow vehicle. To do this, I need to get some info from the folks pulling with diesel pickups. I currently use synthetic oil in both the car and half ton p/u and change it every six months. There is less than 6k on each in this time. I do not know what the mfgrs require for oil change intervals in diesel engines.
My questions are: What kind of oil do you use conventional or synthetic? (also weight) How often do you change it in miles or months? How much oil does your truck 'use' in this period?
We pull with a F 450 that holds 15 quarts of Shell Rotella 15-40 conventional. The owners manual says to change every 5,000 miles in severe service (towing) or 10,000 miles regular service. The good news is I have never had to add between changes.
I used Rotella 15-40 in our F-350 7.3. Changed every 7000 miles. The truck had 195,000 miles on it when I sold it to a friend 3 years ago. Only time it used oil was when I put synthetic in once. Dropped a quart at 4000 miles and 7000 miles. Went back to conventionall oil. Never used oil again.
I feel it depends on the engine type and manufacturer. I did not start using synthetic until after the 36,000 mile warranty was up because Ford recommends Shell Rotella 15W40 so did not want to void the warranty. Also have heard that it is better to break in a new engine with regular oil to make sure all the seals seat properly. For the pat two years, have been using Amsoil 15W40 extended life synthetic formulated for diesel engines. Change interval is recommended every 15,000 with filter change at 7500. I still change both at between 7500-10000 just to be safe. Never have had to add oil between changes.
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"Bloom where you are planted"
Rick and Janice
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3, Mor/Ryde King Pin and I.S., 17.5" Wheels w/ H Rated Tires, Automatic Level Up,
2012 Ford F450 Lariet, 6.7 L, CC, 4WD, DRW w/ Air Bags, Reese Signature 25K Hitch
This for my previous 2006 Duramax which I traded at right at 100,000 miles 70% of which were towing:
GM “Dealer” SAE 15-40 / CJ-4 standard, non-synthetic oil, w\ filter, changed every 5,000 miles or so.GM representative told me that was too often.“Just go on the truck’s computer 'oil life remaining' display.”I’m just frankly too old, so I change it at 5,000 or so miles because it makes me feel better.I don’t think the engine cares one bit. Truck’s computer always said I had about 50% oil life remaining at that point and that was in harsh towing conditions with two trips over 14,000 towing miles just for reference.Never had to add oil to the truck.
As to age of oil: Again from GM rep, there is no reason to change oil more often than once a year if mileage doesn’t require it and I use that rule on my gas’ers that don’t get to 5,000 miles in some years.Diesel always has more than 5K but I would still use the one-year change rule.
I don’t know what type of vehicle you will be using, but I will add that I changed the Allision automatic transmission fluid and external filter at the “severe duty, half mileage” point.Always a pretty looking fluid.Never looked like it had been above its nominal temperature or had a “burnt” odor.
Truck was never in the shop for a repair.
In the opinion department, while I think it is just fine to use synthetic oil even if not required by the manufacture, I don’t think it has any real benefits from all I have studied in engines not specifically requiring it.I’d just rather change the dino oil more often than the synthetic, with the filter.Make me feel better that someone (even if it is me) has looked over the engine and I know the oil is clean.
I am following the same plan for my 2012 Duramax / Allison.
But as I was taught by my father; “If everything else fails, read the manual written by the people who designed and tested it.”Pretty good advice IMO.
Wow, JanAlan, 15 quarts! Three or four years ago I was talking to a friend about his Duramax when he mentioned that it took 10 quarts for a change. I thought that was a bunch. So, I guess all Ford diesels take 15 quarts? Do the GMs still take ten? Fifteen quarts would be about $75 for synthetic at WalMart....another what, $10-15 for a filter? Judging from the posts so far, trucks are doing fine with conventional oil. It really surprises me that if I only put 7-10k miles a year on it, the oil only needs to be changed once a year. That may take some getting used to....I'm old too, Bill ...and the tranny fluid is another thing to consider.
I'm planning to change the oil myself when a facility is available. Looks like it will cost about $40-45 for 10 quarts of conventional oil and a filter! Not much in the overall scheme of things. More important was the question of proper maintenance to make the TV last long with as few repairs as possible.
I guess I'm old school, I don't use synthetic oil. I don't see a need. I have had several vehicles that have gone over 200k and didn't burn or leak oil. Just regular oil changes. Frequency is an issue for debate.
According to the "book" my cummins 400 ISL needs an oil change every 18,500 miles or once a year. Just had it changed, I have nothing to capture 28 quarts of oil. Another 4 quarts for the Onan. 32 quarts of synthetic would get mighty expensive. I don't see us getting 18k a year on the rig so I will be changing on time.
...and the tranny fluid is another thing to consider.
