Diesel Oil Change Frequency

[Mike1997]

My Airstream is on a 97 Freightliner chassis with a 24v 275hp Cummins engine. Showing 69k miles today. Had it serviced in Great Falls,MT at a diesel shop that ran semi's up I-15 into Alaska. Shop foreman was retired from Cummins Plant out of Indiana.

He was clear with me that 10k miles or 1 year, whichever came first was good for oil change cycle on my Airstream. He was more concerned with the air filter also being changed regularly. Found mine to be 1997 original along with a rat nest deep inside.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by Alan 117

You are a legend.
Best oil and interval. Why?
Definitely fantastic oil.
It's possible to do damage to your engine with change intervals that are too long or mileage that is too high but you can't hurt anything by doing oil changes too often.
Compared to a $20,000 engine change what''s an oil change. Just for reference semi drivers run synthetic and change every 10,000 miles on average from what I've read. If I were driving 10,000 miles a month I might go 10,000 but driving 15,000 a year, 5,000 mile intervals make sense to me especially since the government has the modern diesels eating their own exhaust.

LOL.......I am just an old humble farm boy. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood are legends.



Best regards and safe travels

[jimin pa]

I use a 2002 F350 7.3 as a t.v. I change my oil every 5,000 miles might be why I still have the 02 7.3

[dcasr]

Originally Posted by Scott59

I have a 2016 Duramax 6.6l diesel and I change the oil at 6-7,500 miles. It's also important to change your fuel filter every 22,000 miles or so.

_____________________

I use my 2016 GMC Duramax about 90% for towing our 1990 Excella 29' Airstream. Wonderful combo. I've been changing the fuel filter at the 22,500m scheduled intervals. The data info on the dash screen tells me I have 64% left on my fuel filter and that corresponds fairly closely to the milage since the last fuel filter change. Does the onboard computer work off of accrued milage or does it sense actual buildup inside the fuel filter?

I'm inclined to replace at which ever come due first, but still curious how the computer actually comes up with the 64%. Does anyone ACTUALLY KNOW?

+dcasr

[Bill M.]

I change my oil every 5000 miles. Easier for me than to worry with it or get analysis done. It comes at least twice a year so I do not worry about months. At about $120 a change it is not a huge expense as diesel engines go. I think the 6 month interval is partially that they are worried about moisture and sludge build up in a engine that is not driven much and might not get run hot enough to keep it clean.

[rbs]

We change oil and rotate the tires at 5000 mile intervals, and change the fuel filters every other oil change. We have always had the trucks serviced at Ford dealers, used Motorcraft semi synthetic 15-40W per Ford's recommendation. We also use Ford's Cetane Boost in every fill up. Ford offers a service called "The Works" which includes tire rotation, checking brakes, battery, tire wear, all fluids, air filter and of course oil change. We will buy a new truck next year and always have a buyer waiting for our "old" one. We just put new tires on both the A/S and the truck, Michelins. All of this information is worth what I charged

[switz]

My father always said the oil was much cheaper than main bearings.....

Change the oil every 5,000 miles (Mercedes said every 10,000 miles) on my 2007 ML320 CDI and my wife's 2009 E320 CDI pre-DEF fluid turbo V6 diesel engines. I have about 193,000 miles on mine and she has about 60,000 miles on hers.

I change the oil at 5,000 mile intervals in my 2012 Cummins power Ram 2500HD which is also pre-DEF. I have two FS-2500 auxiliary oil filter systems, one for the engine and one for the transmission. The diesel fuel comes out of the 54 gallon fuel tank into a Cummins branded water separator. The fuel line then goes to the stock water separator/filter on the block before going to a Cummins branded two micron fuel filter and then to the injectors.

[Countryboy59]

I put about 1500 miles a year on my Ram Cummins and change oil once a year. It is a summer-only truck, only for camping.

Ironically my motorcycle is on the road year round and gets 4 oil changes a year. In Michigan.

[harryk]

If your vehicle is under warranty, the manual says change every 6 months regardless of mileage.

[out of sight]

Oil will eventually oxidize when in contact with oxygen. When it does it loses its lubricity. The rate at which it oxidizes depends on temperature. If your truck is not being used it might take 2 years before it oxidizes. If you're towing and the engine is hot it will be less. The best way to check it is to get a sample analyzed for TBN (total base number). The lab will then tell you if it needs to be changed based on oxidation. They will also tell you if it needs to be changed because it's dirty (a bigger problem).

A 6 month oil change frequency is very conservative and is likely recommended by the factory to please their dealers rather than to ensure that your oil is healthy.

[harryk]

I agree with you "out of sight" But, if my motor has a problem and the dealer wants to get out from under, then they have grounds not to be responsible because I did not follow the manual...
I am a little paranoid about this because this is my first diesel and the $ involved in a needed repair.

[out of sight]

My guess is that Cummins would honor their warranty if you produced a sample report showing that the oil was good. In the industrial world it is common to change oil based on actual oil condition rather than fixed intervals.

[Bill M.]

"For those of you towing with a diesel do you change your oil every 6 months?"

Yes.

Of course I drive at least 5000 every 6 months too. But if I did not I would change anyway. Gets rid of sludge, condensation, whatever. Less chance of an oil filter coming apart. Gives the dealer a chance to check it over. I sorta like getting my oil changed. Makes me feel I am being proactive.

Maybe another reason for the 6 month specification in addition to the sensor is that the manufacturer does not really trust the oil change sensor system anyway. I know I would not.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

"For those of you towing with a diesel do you change your oil every 6 months?"

Yes.

Of course I drive at least 5000 every 6 months too. But if I did not I would change anyway. Gets rid of sludge, condensation, whatever. Less chance of an oil filter coming apart. Gives the dealer a chance to check it over. I sorta like getting my oil changed. Makes me feel I am being proactive.

Maybe another reason for the 6 month specification in addition to the sensor is that the manufacturer does not really trust the oil change sensor system anyway. I know I would not.

Thank God I am long out of warranty. I would not let most dealer “mechanics” touch my Cummins let alone put in their “mystery” oil. They don’t like getting their hands dirty on my Fluid Filmed undercarriage anyway. My personal mechanic let’s me watch service and would love to own my truck if I ever sell it.

[Allen Arin]

Its better to change the oil with mileage which I keep is 2000 mile it doesn't matter if I have traveled this much in a month or 3-4 month