TV Oil Change - type and how often?

[jsb5717]

Just curious...I have used synthetic oil in my diesel TV's for many years. I tend to change the oil every 5k miles.


Many of you pull your trailers a lot more miles than I do so I'm wondering what the general wisdom is for type of oil and frequency that keeps the TV running well.

[mlh]

Do what the manufacturer says. You will be protecting your engine and not wasting money. Even GM says to not change oil more often than recommended it’s a waste.
It does sound like you are doing it about right. Synthetic oil is better. Use it.
Lynwood

[DadsHemi]

Your engine is not the only serve your truck needs, Transmission, PS fluid, Differentials, and transfer case for 4x4 trucks. My truck is mixed use and I change engine oil, oil filter and both fuel filters @ 10K. Manufacture says 15K for normal use for mine.

[1retired06]

Have used Rotella T6 last four diesel trucks.

[RMcNeal]

I exclusively use Rotella in my 2014 F350. In 90,000 miles, I've only seen the "Oil Change Needed" reminder once. I usually change it sooner so it doesn't get to that point. Typically around 5,000 miles. Truck is mostly used for towing now. First 5 years, it was only a daily driver until we got our 5'er.
Funny thing is, it has the Sync version 2, which used to be able to run a vehicle health report that showed oil percentage. Ford did away with this service a few years ago, so now I don't have that ability anymore. I just pull the dipstick and look at the oil now and usually pick a convenient time around 5,000 miles or so.

[Montana Man]

That Cummins will go about 14k miles on an oil change per factory specs. Much farther than other engines and was something I had to get used to. Saying that, I go by the percentage instead of by miles and change it when it gets down to about 25% left. For oil I use exactly what the factory says. To deviate from that just ensure that the oil meets Cummins' requirements.

[BB_TX]

I quit changing my own oil 20 years ago. All my trucks, diesel and gas, and all my other vehicles since then (Ford for many years) have all had the oil changed by the dealer using what I suppose is Motorcraft oil. Have never used synthetic. Change every 5,000 even though they could go longer. Going back nearly 60 years of driving and well over a million miles and I have never had an engine fail.
I get coupons from the dealer for $89.99 for diesel oil/filter change and $8.99 for DW's Expedition. For that price it is not worth changing myself.

[DutchmenSport]

I cheat. I used the % as my gauge from the DIC (Digital Information Center) on the dash board. And I let my GM dealership service department do it for me. Always have, always will. They have all the records for everything done on it, and they have a standing rule with me, even when I do an oil change, to inspect everything, and give me recommendations when other things need to be done too.

Now the last time, the DIC said 15% remaining, but I had another 3000 miles to go based on the miles. I called my service guy and he said it should be changed based on the % or the mileage, which ever comes first.

The % is determined by the number of times the engine starts. The more the starts, the faster the % rolls up. Even if mileage is low.

At any rate, I've had this truck for almost 8 years now, and still in great shape. So, I must be doing "something" right. I had new batteries (2 of them) put in about 3 months ago. Yea, too much electronics going on there. I let my service guy do that too. Everything had to be "reset" on the truck once the new batteries were installed. But they did forget to reset the clock on the radio.

[77cruiser]

Even if the truck sits the % goes up. My old truck I changed @ 10k not sure about this one now.

[432bartman]

I use Rotella T-6 synthetic and change every 7500 miles, which is about what the DIC % gets to. I also use Mobil 1 filters. Walmart has good prices for the oil and filter.

[Creeker]

Rotella and OE Motorcraft filters. I try around the 5K mark but if I'm over a Thousand its no big deal. I've never had the truck DIC say its due.

Same for my previous Duramax trucks only with OE AC Delco filters.

[JABURKHOLDER]

I use Motorcraft semi-synthetic and get it changed three times a year regardless of mileage. The truck is six years old with just under 65,000 miles. Three oil changes a year means I average around 3,600 miles intervals. Oh, did I mention I get my oil changes free from my purchasing dealer ?

[dieselguy]

Different stroke for different folks. Does it not bother you that most dealerships do not use the line mechanics to change oil, but generally the same dude that details cars that come in on trades? It may play differently in smaller towns, but where I'm from ... the guys that do the oil changes are no where near an ASE Certified Tech. Not saying an oil change requires the certification, but I would think more knowledge than where the on switch is to the pressure washer. No offense, but I've got the time to roll under my truck and R&R a filter and drain plug twice a year at @5K.

[BB_TX]

How many people who change their own oil are certified ASE techs? One in ten thousand? One in a hundred thousand? Fewer than that? I suspect those dealer “techs” who change oil are trained how to do it properly and do it hundreds of times a year.

I changed mine for many many years with no training at all.

[mhs4771]

To go along with the non-mechanic doing the oil change.
Recent post on the Duramax Forum, Wife dropped off nearly new Chevy Duramax at Dealer for an oil change then went shopping. Was called later that Truck was ready, she walks into dealer and Keys are tossed to her. Gets in truck and starts driving home, part way truck is making all sorts of noise and lights start flashing on the dash and truck stops. Husband shows up and pulls the dip stick, BONE DRY. Kid drained the oil, but never refilled. They are now fighting with the Dealer and GM, they want a new truck, GM just wants dealer to rebuild the engine.
Think I'll continue changing my own oil.

[432bartman]

One added plus if you can change your own oil, is getting underneath your truck and checking to see that all looks ok, i.e. leaks. I see what kind of idiots some of these quick lube places hire, and the routine scams they try to pull on less than mechanically inclined people (Trying to push for maintenance/filters not needed).

[Montana Man]

The wifes caddie had an oil leak right after an oil change at the dealer. The oil filter was only finger tight. I had oil changed on another truck while I watched. I saw them unknowingly put in two different grades of oil. The last oil change at the dealer on this truck left me wondering if they changed the filter. If you ever changed a ram oil filter, it is nearly impossible to do it without oil dripping on the frame and leaking for a couple days. The frame was bone dry and dealers do not care to do a perfectly good job. I'm going to start doing my own oil changes again.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

One added plus if you can change your own oil, is getting underneath your truck and checking to see that all looks ok, i.e. leaks. I see what kind of idiots some of these quick lube places hire, and the routine scams they try to pull on less than mechanically inclined people (Trying to push for maintenance/filters not needed).

Couldn't agree more!!!! Our son worked in a quick lube place when he was in high school. To this day he won't use them. They are not the least bit qualified and are rushed so bad that once he was told to only put half the engine cover screws back in and throw the rest in the trash.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

'18 Ford 6.7, I change our oil every 5,000 when working it hard. When we're unhooked for awhile I'll push it out some depending on how many miles I put on it towing.

I'm now right at 6,000 and getting ready to do it. Always Rotella T6 5W-40.

[beeje]

I have changed the oil/ and have done any other maintenance of every vehicle I have ever owned and will continue to do so until I am physically not able to do it any more.
I trust NO ONE to work on my stuff.
Just as an example, we bought 3 new Honda civics this year Mine/wifes/sons.
Every tire on all 3 cars new from the dealer had 50+ psi in the tires. They cant even get something as simple as tire air pressure right.
I have only owned Duramax trucks and have always used Napa/Valvoline reg oil.
I don't go but 3-4k miles in a years time, so I change it every spring.