Interesting Consumer Reports Article...

[Marlon_JB2]

I change mine every 6k, according to the owners manual.

There's supposed to be some sort of oil life program in my Jeep to tell me when the oil absolutely needs to be changed. But I've never seen it. I guess I've changed it too quick. That might be a good thing.

But considering that I would be extremely nervous about changing every 6k, I change ever 6k with synthetic. Makes me feel better about it.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

Diesel oil change intervals are longer than gas engines, because of the inherent lubricity of the fuel.

 

[jnaut]

I love these threads where it becomes a 100meter dash in a race to miss the point.

Anyhoo, regardless of your oil change interval, either personal or manufacturer recommended, there's nothing about the article that says you're supposed to run on low oil, or never check the level.

I could probably go longer between oil changes as I live in a nearly dust-free state. However, after about 3k miles, my engine needs some oil in it, so if I go longer than 3k, it would probably behoove me to... you know... add some.

So in summation, let's not confuse the fact that some people go longer between oil changes (depending on myriad factors) and never changing or checking the level of your oil...or driving around with your oil light on because you're within your interval.

 

[tjkj2002]

Do a UOA at 3000miles and that will tell you if it is good or not,and do one evry 100miles after that to make sure.Remember also that those filters(no matter what the brand) can not hold that much junk and flow good.If you what till the oil is bad you waited to long,plain and simple and damage already done.

Oh and if you have to add oil,besides when you do a oil change,you have other issues that need to be addressed also.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

The gearbox is part of the engine, it's in the sump. Like a motorcycle..(TBJ already said that)....no, not a Harley, those have a separate gearbox.

fwiw...overhere most cars get an oil change at around 12.500 miles.

(My KJ gets fresh oil every 6250miles)

I do not get the point changing oil every 3k miles. Waste of money and natural resources. To top that of, if VW says 10k why do you go to 5k?

Get your head out of 1955.

So true!

 

[Inc]

oh noes! not another oil thread!

Yeah, oil threads are just as useful as spark plug threads.

 

[jnaut]

Do a UOA at 3000miles and that will tell you if it is good or not,and do one evry 100miles after that to make sure.Remember also that those filters(no matter what the brand) can not hold that much junk and flow good.If you what till the oil is bad you waited to long,plain and simple and damage already done.

Oh and if you have to add oil,besides when you do a oil change,you have other issues that need to be addressed also.

Not leakin a drop, not burning an oz, but my Jeep has been maybe 1/2 a qt or so low around the oil change time.

Having said that, I remember another oil thread on another forum in a galaxy far, far away. And opinion is divided on the matter. Executive summary:

GM feels that losses of 1 qt every 1000 miles was "within acceptable limits".

Nissan feels that any loss of oil is unacceptable.

*here comes da hate*

 

[tjkj2002]

GM feels that losses of 1 qt every 1000 miles was "within acceptable limits".

Yeah because they know that Dexacool eats gaskets and they either leak oil and/or coolant,well known GM fact.

Oil don't just up a disappear into thin air,your leaking it or burning it jnaut.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

GM feels that losses of 1 qt every 1000 miles was "within acceptable limits".

Nissan feels that any loss of oil is unacceptable.

And they both spec 1/8" of play in their balljoints and tie rod ends before they're "ready" to be replaced.

 

[incommando]

In older days, with engines that had looser tolerances, a quart per 1,000 miles was "acceptable" by just about every make. But engines are built to much more exacting standards today.

Don't forget the importance of an air filter on oil quality.

 

[Jeepman56]

So I am supposed to CHANGE the oil? Who knew.

 

[ATXKJ]

So I am supposed to CHANGE the oil? Who knew.

My sister's best friend in high school - was given a Camaro by her parents
she was really good about checking the oil level

she traded it in at 125,000 miles and they were telling her about oil changes
on her new car...........

it was the first time she ever heard you have to change oil.

 

[J-Thompson]

To top that of, if VW says 10k why do you go to 5k?

Get your head out of 1955.

that answer is very simple
where I live it is very rare for the out side air temp to drop below 30*F
but not uncommon to see temps above 95*
this is a 2.0 Turbo charged engine that uses the engine oil in the turbo
the turbo gets HOT thus breaking down the oil quickly
this is all fact

my .02 10K is simply to long to let it go under these conditions
do I know more than the mfg.? no
do I care what they say? no
it is my money ,and a lot of it, so for my comfort I am changing it every 5K

 

[Atrus]

I run Mobil 1 in the KJ and the wife's G6. I change the oil and rotate the tires every 5k. We both drive 50/50 highway/city and average about 18k a year.

Makes it easier to remember when oil changes are needed - 40k, 45k...

 

[nzoliver]

Not leakin a drop, not burning an oz, but my Jeep has been maybe 1/2 a qt or so low around the oil change time.

Having said that, I remember another oil thread on another forum in a galaxy far, far away. And opinion is divided on the matter. Executive summary:

GM feels that losses of 1 qt every 1000 miles was "within acceptable limits".

Nissan feels that any loss of oil is unacceptable.

*here comes da hate*

Nope. No hate here.

Ya should see what the Italian Mftrs spec for oil usage......
Alfa used to be 1litre for 5000km - not so now but still high. But, the engines are fabulous and generate plenty big HP from small capacities.

*** engines are boring compared.....

Now wait for the hate...

 

[ridenby]

Nope. No hate here.

Ya should see what the Italian Mftrs spec for oil usage......
Alfa used to be 1litre for 5000km - not so now but still high. But, the engines are fabulous and generate plenty big HP from small capacities.

*** engines are boring compared.....

Now wait for the hate...

Got a Alfa Romaro,can't spell,in trade once,with out a doubt the runningest 4cyl.I ever drove.

 

[jnaut]

Yeah because they know that Dexacool eats gaskets and they either leak oil and/or coolant,well known GM fact.

Oil don't just up a disappear into thin air,your leaking it or burning it jnaut.

Cool. So I've been leaking it (not) or burning it (?) since it left the factory floor.

 

[tjkj2002]

Cool. So I've been leaking it (not) or burning it (?) since it left the factory floor.

Pretty much,69,000miles on my KJ and does not use any oil,same oil level from oil change to drain(every 3k) and I check my oil every sunday.

 

[67Customs]

I'm just glad they added the Dawn dish soap myth at the bottom there. Change your oil whenever you want if you even care, but please don't use Dawn to wash your vehicle. Now, if you spill oil while changing it, then you can grab some Dawn!

 

[JeepJeepster]

Nope. No hate here.

Ya should see what the Italian Mftrs spec for oil usage......
Alfa used to be 1litre for 5000km - not so now but still high. But, the engines are fabulous and generate plenty big HP from small capacities.

*** engines are boring compared.....

Now wait for the hate...

We had a toyota corolla that would burn a good quart every 1,000 miles. It did that since we had it with 40k miles till we gave it away at 150k miles. Sad little car that one was.