I am running Toyal Purple 5w30 in my '03 4.0. I last changed my oil on 1/14/07 at 34,554 miles. I am now at 37,985 miles. I haven't towed anything, but all of my driving is between 25 and 55.

 

that is barely 3000 miles. Isn't that stuff good at least up to 5000?


I have not changed my oil since last April ?

 

damn... barely 3000 miles in just under 8 months. and i thought i didn't drive much! (around 6,000 a year)

 

Owner's manual on my truck says every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. So I'd say yes, do it before winter.

I'm running Mobil 1 in my truck and plan on changing it every 6 months, as I don't put on too many miles either.


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You already give the oil company's enough money buying gas. Change it at 5000 miles.
Do some searches on oil analysis especially Mobil 1. The oil is still fine after 5000.

 

arnald...do it. but wait a while. man.....barely 3k.

 

I put 11K on Amsoil with no problems at all.

EDIT: I see you live in Madison. I go to MATC everyday, we'll have to meet up sometime.

 

I'd leave it alone until you hit 5000 also. Not to start a war, but I've seen several reports (UOA's) that indicate Royal Purple has a tendency to shear rather quickly (30wt thinning to a 20wt). I've heard that it is great racing oil, but I don't think that fits your application. I'd try Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum.

 

For yall that wait 10,000 miles do yall at least change your oil filter every 3,000

 

with that few miles i would change it in January after its been 1 year

 

haha

when I first read that I thought you said you hadn't changed it in 34,000 miles...and I was like...yea that engine is doomed

but seriously, you should be ok like everyone else is saying

 

I ahve been runnign RP with a purelator pure one filter since 24k miles (12/05) and I was changing it every 5k miles. I will probably just wait until it starts to get cold.

Cole what are you studying at matc? Anything have to do with the auto industry by chance?

And are you by chamce looking for a fx4 L2? It isn't mine, but I found it on craigslist.

 

I change my oil every 3000 no matter what.

 

If you follow the six month rule, it should have been changed 7/14, so you're about 6 weeks overdue.

 

From the Royal Purple website.........

How often should I change my oil ??

Royal Purple recommends following the manufacturer’s maintenance intervals while the vehicle is under factory warranty. In clean engines that are no longer under warranty, oil change intervals may be extended up to every 12,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first. Oil filter changes should be done as recommended by the filter's manufacturer and oil should be topped-off as needed.

In dirty engines, Royal Purple recommends standard 3,000 to 5,000 mile oil and filter change intervals until the engine oiling system is clean and free of deposits left by lower quality oils and / or poor maintenance or mechanical problems. This will allow time to gradually remove existing deposits without overloading the oiling system. Mechanical problems such as fuel dilution, coolant leaks into the crankcase, poor air filtration and / or failure to maintain proper oil level are all detrimental factors to the service life of any engine oil. Any one of these factors can significantly shorten the useful service life of any oil.

 

From the Mobil 1 website..


Why do you have to change your motor oil on a regular basis?


Motor oil breaks down over time. When it breaks down, it loses its effectiveness and can no longer properly protect your engine.
In addition to lubricating an engine's moving parts, motor oil is designed to carry combustion by-products away from the pistons and cylinders. It is designed to deal with the small amounts of water that form as the engine heats and cools, and to collect the dirt and dust that enter the engine through the air-intake system. It also handles acids that are formed by the reaction between water and other contaminants. Sometimes there are even fuel leaks (fuel dilution) or coolant leaks that get into the oil system.

As a car is driven, the level of contamination in the motor oil constantly increases. The oil filter removes particles as the oil passes through the filter, but over time an oil's additives are used up and the oil itself can start to degrade (oxidize or thicken). At that point, the oil can no longer do its job and must be changed.

The rate at which contamination and additive depletion occurs depends on many variables. One of these is driving conditions, which vary greatly and have a direct effect on the useful life of the oil. Other factors include the precision of ignition, fuel injection or carburetion adjustments, air cleaner service and the general mechanical condition of the engine.

Oil should be changed before the contamination level reaches the point where engine damage can result. Because it is difficult for the individual motorist to determine when the contamination level is too high, automobile manufacturers provide recommended oil change intervals. These change recommendations vary by model year and manufacturer. Recommended intervals and mileage limits also vary with the type of service under which a car operates. More frequent oil changes are recommended for severe service.


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I run Mobil 1 full synthetic and change mine every 5000 or so. I only put 8K or so on my truck a year so I worry more about the time it's in there than the mileage. We do pull our boat around alot in the summer so I try to keep up on the fluid maintenece.

 

The whole reason behind changing oil on a time basis is because of motors that are not run much. Water builds up and chemical processes *can* attack the engines bearing surfaces.

The way to prevent this (and changing your oil) is to just drive the truck every couple of weeks. Drive it for at least 10 miles if possible. If you can't drive it.. let it idle for about 15-20 minutes.

Rich

 

I drive about 6 miles to work one way the trip takes me about 12 minutes. Its just I don't drive anywhere else.

 

same story as in oregon....never drive anywhere. gosh....your lame.

Hey....I want htat craigslist ranger.

 

With that short of a trip the engine is barely getting warm enough to remove any condensation in the crankcase .Over time that condensation is going to build up and start attacking bearings. You won't always notice the water in the oil (milky color) but it's in there none the less.
Change it.

 

on the subject of not changing oil
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...ght=oil+change

 

Let's say a few years from now, you decide to buy a nice used truck. You go to the lot, and there's two trucks available, both identical, same price, but one has had it's oil changed every 3,000 miles or 6 months, the other one every 5,000 miles or once a year. Which one would you buy ?? I'd buy the one that was better maintained, wouldn't you ??

You can always save your oil change receipts to demonstrate to the next owner of your vehicle, how well you took care of it. That should help you sell your truck, when the time comes.


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My cousin goes there too.

As for the question? I have no clue.

 

Honestly, I'd rather buy a truck that ran synthetic oil (changed every 5000 miles), than one that ran conventional oil (changed every 3000 miles). In my opinion, the synthetic oil engine would be cleaner internally (no sludge), would have most likely operated at a slightly lower temperature, and would have had superior protection against friction (less wear). Given the price/quality difference between the 2 oils, the previous owner would have probably been more maintenance oriented/informed. Just my opinion