Confusion about scheduled maintenance intervals

[skinnyboy]

47 years building, installing, servicing machinery used to make a Maverick and I know a thing or 2 about scheduled maintenance recommendations. But I never asked the welder at one of my customers how often he thought the manual points of the machine needed greased. His opinion is as valid as mine or anyone else's which is only as good as the person wants it to be. Manufacturers spend a lot of money and hire really smart people to determine the maintenance schedule. If changing oil twice as often as needed prevents failure do you also replace the transmission fluid twice as often, replace the brakes when half life is reached, flush the cooling system twice as often? Or is it just oil? Since you admit your TECHNICIAN does do oil change then he is NOT in the field nor even close to an expert. I change mine at 5k because I want to not because Goober down at Wally's garage says to. If you don;t get the reference then you are way too young,

Well, since you brought it up, 40 years as an industrial mechanic in auto and electronics production. Predictive and preventative maintenance specialization, three other trade licenses. Guess compared to you I'm a noob.

I believe, though, it's still worth listening to people in the field. And experienced mechanics often get to choose their jobs, oil changes not being the top of the list.

Cheers.

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[skinnyboy]

Yes BUT you took the advice of someone YOU said doesn't do oil changes. What is HIS qualifications? If every 5k or 3k is good do it every week, even better. You ATTEMPTED to school me and it backfired. Why not just take your money out of your pocket then set it on fire. That will do just as much as over maintaining your vehicle.

I said the techs. at the shop I deal with change their oil (personal vehicles) at 40% on the OLM. Ford dealer, certified techs., one long past the point of doing oil changes. I know I don't know everything, far from it. But if there's something I would like to know more about I ask someone with experience in that field. If I want to know about track driving I ask my friend who builds track cars and instructs driving, IMSA or Lemans cars, I ask my son. Road vehicles, a trusted tech. at my dealership. None of these people are "goobers".

You and I have certainly been around long enough to remember the old saying: "Oil and grease is cheap parts."

Cheers.

 

[The Real Maverick]

You and I have certainly been around long enough to remember the old saying: "Oil and grease is cheap parts."

Cheers.

Then you probably remember when incandescent bulbs were legal and pot smoking wasn't.

Times have changed.

Changing oil more often than necessary by a little bit isn't the end of the world. Using double your fair share of oil is. It is a resource that affects everyone.

Why don't you think about others?

 

[skinnyboy]

Then you probably remember when incandescent bulbs were legal and pot smoking wasn't.

Times have changed.

Changing oil more often than necessary by a little bit isn't the end of the world. Using double your fair share of oil is. It is a resource that affects everyone.

Why don't you think about others?

I absolutely do think about the environment, a lot. Second hybrid, letters to the PM demanding climate action etc. I agree that excessive oil changes are an issue. That's a large reason we are at these extended change intervals. Modern manufacturing and chemistry are absolutely astounding. But the world is a complex place, and false economy can backfire. I believe it's a large part of what we are witnessing with overly moderate charging algorithms accelerating battery failures, not just on Fords, but other manufacturers as well (newer hybrid Toyotas come to mind). Undercharging a 12v is slightly good for fuel economy, but that and more is lost by trips/tows to dealers and having batteries changed far too soon. An engine that becomes an oil burner is not helping the situation, perhaps to the point of being scrapped early. Were early versions of low tension oil control rings a net environmental positive? I believe that is debatable.

I recall a member on the forum (perhaps you do too) that posted that he was going to do an enormously long oil change interval, but monitor the oil during that time with analysis. Didn't hear any follow up on that test.

Cheers.

 

[skinnyboy]

Very true. But I've been around long enough to know that today's oil is not 1960s 10 w 40 non detergent either. Oils have evolved. I also learned in my twenties when I questioned the recommended hydraulic fluid change intervals that they paid a guy with a whole bunch of degrees and expertise to determine that.

Couldn't agree more .

Cheers.

 

[The Real Maverick]

I recall a member on the forum (perhaps you do too) that posted that he was going to do an enormously long oil change interval, but monitor the oil during that time with analysis. Didn't hear any follow up on that test.

Cheers.

In my newish Maverick my
First Two were free at the dealer.
I had them do first at ~7500 mi.
Second was AFTER towing for 5,500 miles and the oil reminder went to 0% at 14,5xx miles. Dealership did the second for me.

Next oil change I did myself at 26,5xx miles. Sent a sample to Blackstone labs at 10,000 miles. They said oil was in good shape so I left it in for 2,000 more.

Plan to do next oil change at 40,000.

My intervals:
7500 (small amount of towing)
7000 (with 5500 of it towing)
12,000 (small amount of towing)
13,500 planned to come soon (small amount of towing)

Not towing I routinely get 50 MPG.
So there is corroborating evidence I am being "gentle" when not towing. But when I tow, I tow big and heavy.

On my Escape Hybrid I routinely went 15,000 miles OCI. Once, 21,000 miles. Blackstone said the oil was "within limits" even after 21,000 miles. Mobil 1.
Always Mobil 1.
No particular reason.
I guess in the early days they were first or about the first to have a 0w20.

 

[skinnyboy]

In my newish Maverick my
First Two were free at the dealer.
I had them do first at ~7500 mi.
Second was AFTER towing for 5,500 miles and the oil reminder went to 0% at 14,5xx miles. Dealership did the second for me.

Next oil change I did myself at 26,5xx miles. Sent a sample to Blackstone labs at 10,000 miles. They said oil was in good shape so I left it in for 2,000 more.

Plan to do next oil change at 40,000.

My intervals:
7500 (small amount of towing)
7000 (with 5500 of it towing)
12,000 (small amount of towing)
13,500 planned to come soon (small amount of towing)

Not towing I routinely get 50 MPG.
So there is corroborating evidence I am being "gentle" when not towing. But when I tow, I tow big and heavy.

On my Escape Hybrid I routinely went 15,000 miles OCI. Once, 21,000 miles. Blackstone said the oil was "within limits" even after 21,000 miles. Mobil 1.
Always Mobil 1.
No particular reason.
I guess in the early days they were first or about the first to have a 0w20.

Nice results, thanks for sharing it. Engines are happiest being run and working, as your info. would indicate.

With our climate (harsher than Cali.) and my usage I would fall under severe duty. I believe a lot of drivers would, but feel they are being kind to their engines by taking short, gentle trips, and following the manufacturers' recommendations "to the letter". My guess if fuel contamination is a larger problem than additives being depleted, in a lot of cases.

Use Mobil 1 as well, good inexpensive oil. Given the duty my vehicle often sees, is easy to change, and recyclable, that an early oil swap is cheap insurance.

Cheers.

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