Interesting Consumer Reports Article...

[loves_off_roading]

Make sure you read if you are still one of the people who change your oil every 3k. It's a waste of money.

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1138/reality-check-on-car-care-myths/

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

We'll await your budke-esque MY ENJUN DONE BLOWED UP thread

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[JeepJeepster]

Theres some pretty good stuff on that page.. I really didnt disagree with any of it. Some people really need to read the section on tire pressure. Amazes me how many people think the psi on the sidewall is what the tire should have. Guess the tire makers understand theres idiots out there and accounts for that when they put that value on there.

They are pretty much right on with the oil change. If I drove all hw miles I would change mine every 5k. If you drive in the city a lot and/or start and stop the engine a lot in the cold then 3k is best IMHO. Thats when sludge builds up. In our Jeeps with the 4.0's we usually change the oil every 5k. The zj has been sitting more so I usually change the oil every 6months-1 year in it since it doesnt reach the mileage anymore. Once my jeep gets out of the 7yr/70k warranty Ill probably go to 5k changes if I get out of the city(which I plan on doing).

Just dont run the engine out of oil.. In all reality engine oil should be checked everytime you fuel up.

 

[kb0nly]

Considering the average oil change costs me less than $20 for oil and filter and it takes me on average about 2-3 months to accumulate that mileage i only change it 4-6 times a year, or $80-$120 a year, i will just keep my 3k maintenance schedule... lol

 

[J-Thompson]

New car ,VW Tiguan, calls for 10K on the oil
they also spec full syn
I like the 3K on dyno and 5K on syn rules so
I will be going for 5K on the VW

 

[ridenby]

I stand by oil/grease is cheap,parts are not. Checking owners manual I see sch.A for operating under ideal conditions.Then there is sch.B ,of 9 criteria named I happen to meet 7.

 

[speedracerbubba]

New car ,VW Tiguan, calls for 10K on the oil
they also spec full syn
I like the 3K on dyno and 5K on syn rules so
I will be going for 5K on the VW

our 04 dodge sprinter specs out at 10k using mobil1 with the computer confirming it or saying to change early if it deems it necessary. Without the fancy computer it specs 5k using mobil1. I am not sure what parameters it uses to determine when the oil needs to be changed (rpm, time running, fuel consumed, tiny oil analysis station in oil pan, etc..), but it is still running good after 190k

 

[osufans]

yeah, there's a few guys on another forum i'm on that debate this all the time...but they have taken the time to get a used oil analysis done...and for most of them...their oil still meets or exceeds spec even at 8-10K miles (pretty sure they were using Mobil 1 Synthetic.)

the thing is...the ONLY way to know for sure is to get a UOI done on YOUR motor with YOUR driving habits.

i feel pretty safe going 5K miles on dino oil for my daily driver, which sees about 20K miles a year. for our van, i run synthetic at 5K miles OCI's, but it has a lot of stop and go, short trips, etc.

i know it's only a 2K mile difference, but i still think 3K mile OCI's are a thing of the past, engraved in the minds of "old-timers" and marketed by the oil companies as a way to improve profits.

btw...check out bobistheoilguy.com for more info on this heavily debated subject...lol

 

[tjkj2002]

You know you never here the horror stories(or very rarely) about the joy's of extended oil changes,and you never ever here the end results that the tech's see's from them.

Not just saying this to keep myself busy(and paying my bills) since no one that get's paid flat rate ever makes a dime from doing a oil change alone,we actually loose money as does the shop.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

Now that you mention it Troy...

oil changes in general are simply a giant scheme by BIG OIL to make money, just like how they keep paying automakers to kill the electric car, right?(rotflmao)

Don't get your oil changed at ALL guys! Keep the techs in business

 

[tjkj2002]

Now that you mention it Troy...

oil changes in general are simply a giant scheme by BIG OIL to make money, just like how they keep paying automakers to kill the electric car, right?(rotflmao)

Don't get your oil changed at ALL guys! Keep the techs in business

Yep,$20 every 3k will save those $2000+ repair bills you will get.$2000 buy's alot of oil changes and piece of mind.

 

[LibertyTC]

Please let me never buy a used Jeep where the owner changed the synthetic oil every 8,000 miles.
Sludge, na.....ckickty , clak, bang, boing... BOOM! (oops I was down 2 quarts)
How hard is it to look at the dip stick check the level and determine if the oil is not clear any more....ya dirty. Check it in the morning after it sits all night, and if the bottom of the dipstick is brown/sludgy looking, you know that might be a hint !

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Check my oil once every two days at the least....

I do a change around 4k, so about every 2 months I guess...

 

[k99jk99j]

i heard you don't need to change your underwear every day either?

just because it is possible doesn't make it the right plan for your life!

 

[Ry' N Jen]

New car ,VW Tiguan, calls for 10K on the oil
they also spec full syn
I like the 3K on dyno and 5K on syn rules so
I will be going for 5K on the VW

Doesn't VW in the U.S. pay for all the scheduled maintenance on your new VW vehicle like they do here in Canada?

Either way, I try and change the oil every 5-6000 Km on my KJ...
But If I'm off by (up to) 1000Km I don't think it's a big deal.
Oh, and I use Fram oil filters as well!
Have been for 26 years!
Also use it in my Mini which shares the engine oil with the gearbox, and never had a problem!

 

[JJsKJ]

oh noes! not another oil thread!

 

[kb0nly]

Doesn't VW in the U.S. pay for all the scheduled maintenance on your new VW vehicle like they do here in Canada?

Either way, I try and change the oil every 5-6000 Km on my KJ...
But If I'm off by (up to) 1000Km I don't think it's a big deal.
Oh, and I use Fram oil filters as well!
Have been for 26 years!
Also use it in my Mini which shares the engine oil with the gearbox, and never had a problem!

Fram here too but anyway....

Curious about that last line, you have mentioned that before also. In the Mini the oil circulates through the engine and the gearbox, is that right?? Just trying to wrap my head around that as i don't know anything about them.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

Just like a motorcycle, kb

 

[Boiler]

That article mentions the "schedule B" shortened oil changes. Many of us fit that bill.

I change mine every 3k. Here are the costs & benefits:
$22 for 5 quarts mobil 1
$12 for mobil 1 filter
I enjoy doing anything productive to the jeep.
I enjoy the peace of mind knowing I've done all I can in that department.
I do a 5 tire rotation at that time, makes it easier to remember.

All of this is easy to do on my own, and kind of fun.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Fram here too but anyway....

Curious about that last line, you have mentioned that before also. In the Mini the oil circulates through the engine and the gearbox, is that right?? Just trying to wrap my head around that as i don't know anything about them.

Yes, the engine oil is the same as the gearbox oil.