Oil Change or Not...What would you do?

[Tulecreeper]

I cant believe some of you guys really go by that oil life indicator. To each his own. I do full synthetic rated for 12k and change it at 8500. I think any sooner is wasting oil and money.

I agree, and it would be great if we could program that indicator to only alert us at a particular mileage that we choose...say, 8000 miles. The problem is, the "Change Oil Soon" light comes on at, let's say, 5000 miles. If I don't want to change the oil at that time, I have to reset the system then remember for the next 3000 miles to change it at 8000...then reset the system again. It becomes burdensome after a bit.

 

[Tulecreeper]

The oil isn't the weak point, it's the filter. Good oil can go 24 000km no problem.... But good luck finding a filter that can last

That, too.

 

[REDNECK28871]

Are you serious!? You got the oil n filter! with all the
cam n lifter problems CHANGE THE OIL!

 

[Coosawjack]

I vote CHANGE OIL & FILTER......least expensive maintenance items other than tire rotation!!

 

[calkid]

The better question here is why wouldn't you.

 

[David James]

In my opinion, I would change it, but I was always overkill on maintenance. I change the oil in my 2019 Classic 5.7L long before it ever gets to 40-45% life remaining. My truck is 3 years old this month with 36,000 kms (22,400 miles) and I have changed the engine oil and filter 8 times already. Yes it is overkill, but here in New Brunswick Canada, in the winter temperatures of -30 to -35 Celsius (-22 to -31 F) are common, and either you let your truck run one or two or three cycles of the remote start before the temp gauge moves (this truck is extremely cold blooded and has been since I bought it new-dealer says there is nothing wrong????), or I have lots of short drives where condensation in the engine would be a problem. A lot of posts on here say you can't idle a 5.7L or you will have cam/lifter problems......... so which is worse????? I try not to idle any more than necessary, and I change my oil way before I have to.

You’re a smart man. I suspect you are sought after when folks hear you’re about ready to trade. Taking care of business. Oil and filters are cheaper than rebuilds.

 

[yrraljguthrie]

There are a lot of people (older) who base their oil change intervals on the oil that was used prior to 2000 or even 1970. Oil is many times better now than it was then and engines are made with much closer tolerances now. The oil is going to last longer. Just follow the manufacturer's recommendations. I've never seen a manufacturer's service recommendation that was conservative when they could make more money by doing things more often. I'll change my oil according to the book, but truthfully I expect the oil would last twice as long as they say. Service recommendations are based more to make money than requirements. And the same people posting here who swear you should change the oil more often are the same people who say to ignore other service recommendations. Read carefully and don't follow blindly.

 

[JeffK]

I always ignore those percenteges and go striclly on mileage. I stick to 5k, plus or minus 500.