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alfalsetto · 07-08-2005, 08:45 PM

I use Mobel-1 in My Airstrem (Isuzu). I have had good luck with it. I'm not going to change.

Chaplain Kent · 07-15-2005, 06:03 PM

Well here goes. I have put more than 3000 miles on my new engine and they said to change the oil at 3000. To say I am scared to take it anywhere is an understatement. My days of crawling under with a wrench and pan in hand are long gone so I realize I have no choice. The people who put in the engine are three hours away plus they want to keep it two days at the least. IE- we do not do motorhomes but will try and squeeze it in. I think I will begin an interview process and demand that I check anything put on the engine against the specs.
The next reccomended oil change is at 10,000 and they stated to use a regular deisel truck oil not a synthetic. I have done some reading on this 10,000 interval and found that most trucks run at least that. Fuerthermore, I found that we Americans change oil more readily than other people in other countries. My son just bought a new VW deisel Passat and they recemend a 6500 mile interval. Have we been too cautious and wasteful changing perfectly good oil? Are the newer oils better and last longer than when we thought it had to be 3000 miles or burn up?

uwe · 07-15-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplain Kent

Well here goes. I have put more than 3000 miles on my new engine and they said to change the oil at 3000. To say I am scared to take it anywhere is an understatement. My days of crawling under with a wrench and pan in hand are long gone so I realize I have no choice. The people who put in the engine are three hours away plus they want to keep it two days at the least. IE- we do not do motorhomes but will try and squeeze it in. I think I will begin an interview process and demand that I check anything put on the engine against the specs.
The next reccomended oil change is at 10,000 and they stated to use a regular deisel truck oil not a synthetic. I have done some reading on this 10,000 interval and found that most trucks run at least that. Fuerthermore, I found that we Americans change oil more readily than other people in other countries. My son just bought a new VW deisel Passat and they recemend a 6500 mile interval. Have we been too cautious and wasteful changing perfectly good oil? Are the newer oils better and last longer than when we thought it had to be 3000 miles or burn up?

Lubricants have indeed improved by quite a bit. New additives in Motor oils make them retain contaminants better, and lube for a longer period of time. 3000mile oil changes are nice, but often quite wasteful. Much depends on teh way the vehicle gets used. A vehicle that gets driven frequently and for long distances will have different oil change interval requirements than a grocery getter, that sits around a lot, has many cold starts, and never really gets warmed up all the way. BMW used to have ( maybe still do) a clever maintenance interval computer, which would ask for 3500 mile oil changes in severe service, but would allow oil to stay put for up to 7500-8000 miles in long distance vehicles. Condensation inside the engine is absorbed by the oil, and happens mostly during warmups. Combustion byproducts also make their way intothe oil, together with microscoic metal particels from normal wear and tear. A new engine must heve more frequent oil changes, as manufacturing residue and initial wear pose a big challenge to engine oil and filter.
I would suggest that in your motorhome, if you don't run it much, then by all means change the oil before 5000miles, or twice a year. If the engine is brand new, then do a few 2000-3000 mile oil changes, until it is seated in.
Also, another determining factor is the amount of oil your engine holds. Large capacity oiling systems are made for higher mileages between oil changes in heavy duty use.
This has been my experience, anyways. Yours may vary.

alfalsetto · 07-15-2005, 08:15 PM

I have aways gone to 10,000 mile on My Airstream and 5,000 on My Pick-up. All so the Wifes car.

Silvertwinkie · 07-15-2005, 09:47 PM

You know I use Mobil 1 regularly on the Impy (Impala SS). I have started to convert to Amsoil. I've done a bit of research and found that Amsoil does a better job. Several forums have also sworn by Amsoil.

As for your plight Chaplain Kent, you are welcome to make a pit stop here in Chicago anytime and I will personally help you change your oil (you buy the oil and filter) and we'll make it a Saturday thing...I already told Norby, I'd help him too with his diesel van. My drive has become a Jiffy Lube I do so many oil changes.

scf31 · 07-16-2005, 06:48 AM

165,000 miles on a 1999 Chevy 2500 ,350 Vortec , a lot of towing,Work trailer and Airstream,No leaks,no ticks No problems,Mobil One was used from 100 miles forward,

16595 · 07-16-2005, 08:59 AM

I have switched all vehicles to Mobil 1, based to a fair extent on the following study: http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html

I feel that the synthetic will provide a cooler running engine which is pretty important in a tow vehicle. The above study seemed to favor the Mobil 1 over the Amsoil, in part because Amsoil seemed to develop a higher viscosity with age.

I expect I will switch the Suburban to syn trans fluid soon. Any comments? What brand do other use? I haven't seen Mobil 1 trans fluid.

My change intervals have been in the 8-10,000 range. If the mfgr says 7,500 I expect that is conservative in their view. The study says it almost never needs changing IF some makeup oil is added due to filter change. My '91 Cad uses a little oil and the suburban very little. I do a filter change at 5,000 and then change oil at 10,000.

Dwight
Nebraska

uwe · 07-16-2005, 01:20 PM

A very interesting study. I have been running Amsoil in my Suburban for the last 60000miles, changing it about every 10000 miles. It looks as though either of the two tested oils would be a fine choice.

vajeep · 07-17-2005, 07:16 AM

I converted to Mobil 1 on the third oil change on the 2005 2500 Burb. I use Chevy's oil change "gage" to guide my changes.
Abe

ipso_facto · 07-17-2005, 11:05 AM

The best oil is a freshly changed one...

I use Chevron Delo 400 15w40 or whatever heavy-duty diesel truck oil I can find, also 15w40.

I use the best filter I can find, NAPA gold, extended size. More oil. Or Purolator Pure one.

This is in 7.5L towing vehicle. It's not new to say the least, so I don't think it warrants synthetic. On the other hand, if my TV was under 5 years old - and I drove it more than 5K miles /year, I think I would use synthetic.

davidz71 · 07-17-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16595

I have switched all vehicles to Mobil 1, based to a fair extent on the following study: http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html

I feel that the synthetic will provide a cooler running engine which is pretty important in a tow vehicle. The above study seemed to favor the Mobil 1 over the Amsoil, in part because Amsoil seemed to develop a higher viscosity with age.

I expect I will switch the Suburban to syn trans fluid soon. Any comments? What brand do other use? I haven't seen Mobil 1 trans fluid.

My change intervals have been in the 8-10,000 range. If the mfgr says 7,500 I expect that is conservative in their view. The study says it almost never needs changing IF some makeup oil is added due to filter change. My '91 Cad uses a little oil and the suburban very little. I do a filter change at 5,000 and then change oil at 10,000.

Dwight
Nebraska

So just add 0W-30 to offset the thickened viscosity as the oil get older. You can't dismiss the fact that the Amsoil showed less wear in the engine in this study. That is what I would be interested in. I use the dual bypass system, change full flow filter at 5,000 miles, add a qt. of 5W-30, then change both filters and oil at the 10,000 mile mark. Always seemed to work for me.

alfalsetto · 07-18-2005, 08:23 PM

Your bypass filter the onr that use TP in it? I have seen it used. thay said it works. I don't know, I have heve used it.

Pick · 07-18-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

So just add 0W-30 to offset the thickened viscosity as the oil get older.

0W30 is just as thick as 5W30, 10W30 and straight SAE 30W oil at 100 deg C. The number before the "W" denotes viscosity below something like -20 F. Oil is never "thin enough" at startup on a cold engine.

16595 · 07-19-2005, 01:43 PM

The best oil is a freshly changed one...

The study noted above seems to question this, as they found the greatest increase of suspended metals in the first couple thousand miles after an oil change. Check the study for a more accurate report than I remember here.

Dwight

uwe · 07-19-2005, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16595

The best oil is a freshly changed one...

The study noted above seems to question this, as they found the greatest increase of suspended metals in the first couple thousand miles after an oil change. Check the study for a more accurate report than I remember here.

Dwight

I'd say that the detergents in these oils are probably most active during the first few thousand miles.