Thread: service intervals

What are you actually acheiving with a short oil change interval? I've got a million things I'd rather do than change oil twice as often as it should be. Which is probably still twice as often as it needs to be.

I just checked the service intervals that came with my 300tdi RRC. 10,000km oil and filter intervals for the diesels, 20,000km oil change intervals for the V8.

No mention of shorter service intervals or on/offroad or tarmac/dirt.

Originally Posted by billingtond

Seems like everyone has plenty of money to waste, my truck has 400k on it full service history from new. Oil and filter every 10k. Use a good oil with high Zinc. Another factor do not forget the rest of the running gear, diff, box, props, and hubs.

You don't need a high zinc oil in a Tdi, a low SAPS oil works just as well.
Why ?
The lifters use a roller follower, and any decent HD (dedicated diesel oil) will provide more than enough protection.

IMO you want at the minimum a an API CI-4+ or ACEA E4 oil, anything else is petrol engine oil fortified for light diesel use.

Originally Posted by Tank

Never change your oil and NOT the OIL FILTER, a TOTAL waste of time and oil, where people get this ridiculous idea from is beyond me.
5K changes if you are off road all the time and working hard, normal driving follow oil manufacturers recommendation, usually 10K, use Quality oil, BUT don't waste oil by not changing your oil filter every time you change the oil, Regards Frank.

The Japanese engine manufacturers often recommend it Frank, and FWIW a Ryco Z9 is more a rock catcher than a filter.

Hell, almost all full flow filters aren't really filters in the strictest sense.
As explained to me once by a very aware fleet operator, a full flow filter is more applicable to collecting debris from a catastrophic failure, or perhaps a lack of cleanliness during an oil change.

Originally Posted by Dougal

What are you actually acheiving with a short oil change interval? I've got a million things I'd rather do than change oil twice as often

It gives you the nice, warm fuzzies !

One thing I did note with the Tdi was how hard it is on the oil.
I suspect it's a combination of smallish oil capacity and possibly inadequate oil cooling.
17,000km and the oil was pretty much at its limit with a premium, full syn HDEO back when the CI-4 spec was the latest and greatest, whereas the Nissan TD42T had barely stressed the same oil at 20,000km under more arduous use, and it's only indirect injected, so should be 'dirtier'.

Originally Posted by rick130

It gives you the nice, warm fuzzies !

One thing I did note with the Tdi was how hard it is on the oil.
I suspect it's a combination of smallish oil capacity and possibly inadequate oil cooling.
17,000km and the oil was pretty much at its limit with a premium, full syn HDEO back when the CI-4 spec was the latest and greatest, whereas the Nissan TD42T had barely stressed the same oil at 20,000km under more arduous use, and it's only indirect injected, so should be 'dirtier'.

Well that saved at least three changes from the OCD OCI crowd. Possibly 6.

Cant really see see a problem, you want to change you oil at 1000, 10000 or whatever thats the choice of each owner, but I do have a problem with being accused of having a Disorder by narrow minded people who really have no idea of an individuals circumstances.

Back to the OP's question, mate resd all you can read, listen to all the options folks give you, then you decide what you want to do and im sure you will come up with the service schedule that best suits you, your wallet and your vehicle.

No one seems to have mentioned the Air Filter in the service. I replace mine with every oil change, along with the oil filter, they are both cheap maintenance compared to the consequence of ignoring them. The fuel filter gets replaced every other oil change. The unis get grease every oil change. Trans fluid and filter get a longer interval but not ignored. Just turned over 430K and do an average 800km a week, its my main vehicle for my work so has to be kept in the best condition. 10K km would be the most I would go between service, but prefer 5K depending on how hard its worked, but as long as its in that range I am happy. PS, I use Penrite oils - 20-60 mineral for engine, FS for the transmission.

Originally Posted by Spel1

No one seems to have mentioned the Air Filter in the service. I replace mine with every oil change.

Could I suggest you read the K&N filter testing thread ?

Air filters increase efficiency the more loaded they become, you are actually exposing your engine to greater contaminant levels (slightly) by changing the air filter too frequently.

The best way to change an air filter is by measuring pressure drop, some truck/off road and ag air clearer housings have a pressure drop indicator to show when it is time to change.