The manual for my new '03 Explorer says to change the oil every 5000 miles. I may not put much more than 10,000 miles on it in a single year. My daily commute is 8 miles round trip; about 30 miles "around town" on the weekends, and about six (6) 550 mile round trip travels a year. Very little of this is stop-and-go traffic.
Should I still change it every 5000 miles regardless of duration of time?
Thanks,
Greg H.
Today, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 22:54:28 GMT, Two Buddha read a post from "Greg H." , and determined his interest in BURP. Where's my beer? Oh and:
I believe the recommendation is every 5K or 3 months. I think that they say this since the viscosity of the oil breaks down with age regardless of usage.
I wonder if it's the same for synethtic?
With your daily commute at 8 miles, the oil will never get up to temp to boil off the water from combustion. I'd say change oil at least every 3 months maybe more often. The water and sulpher in the gas will create sulphuric acid and that's not good on the bearings and other parts.
Just my 2 pennies..
I have similar driving condition as the OP, so I change my oil every three months.
This rates in the realm of "severe service"..... if the 3 months is up first, I'd be doing the service then.
For "the source"..... I'm not going to open that old "synth vs conventional" can of worms. People will believe those things that they choose to believe...... and they wont bat an eye when they write the cheque...
-- Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net
You hit the nail on the head. This type of driving is the worst.
I would recommend the use of synthetic oil for such harsh conditions but I'd better not.
Tom
Thanks for the information, everyone.
I will take the advice and stick to a 3 month schedule.
Greg
Just for grins, have some of the used oil tested at a lab, and see what contaminants are present.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required