Just curious as to how long everyone runs their oil.

Using Shell Rotella Syn 5w-40 year round. I wait until the remaining life indicator reads 35%

Was changing at 5k with dino oil but now with the synthetic it'll go 10k before a complete change.

5000 mi intervals, using delo. when changed she comes out dark, but i
am sure its still in good shape. i have about 4500 on present oil,
decided to check it and to my suprise it was down two notches on the
stick! first time i noticed. not too worried though.... wil

Was changing at 4-5K. Since installing the bypass filter started changing it when the oil life monitor lights up. (about 7.5K) Analysis says to run it longer but 7.5K is all I go. Running Mobil Delvac 1300. Cat oil analysis is showing numbers well below normal wear.

Im using shell syn for the 1st time. I will try to make it to 7.5k.

The amsoil started burning like mad at 5k.



To me burning means break down of the oil.

Hey PC. Do you notice any weird smell running Shell?


Back before the place existed, I had read at the page that Shell Rotella tended to smell funky.

Shell Rotella-T changed as close to every 5,000 miles as conditions permit, 78,000+ miles to date and have never added any between changes .... no "weird smells" either http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif


JimEdited by: JEBar

Exxon (Esso/UFA) 15w40 in the warmer months April to November


Chevron Delo 5w40 in the winter months December to March


10,000 kms or 6,250 miles on either - haven't had to add any at this interval to this point.Edited by: EMSi

Shell Rotella Dino 15w/40--been changing every 5000 miles after the intial 2000 miles but stretching this batch of oil to 20,000 to make it easy to remember from here on out. Going to switch to syn at 20,000 and test regularly from there.

Running Mobil Delvac 1 and changing at 10K. However, I'm changing the oil filter every 3.3K

Delo every 5-6000 miles....

Hey PC. Do you notice any weird smell running Shell?


Back before the place existed, I had read at the page that Shell Rotella tended to smell funky.








Since my last oil change with the Shell, it smells like a 90 weight. Checked axels nothing leaking. I noticed when I did the change, it smelled funky. I have heard of this before so am not too concerned.Edited by: rtquig

Rotella syn, changed 7500 -8500. Still looks pretty clean but thats as far as I'll go.

Rotella 15W40 8,000 KLMs or 5,000 miles



Putting Rotella 5W40 syn in next change. Plan to make 16,000KLMs or 10,000 miles on it.

Mobil Delvac 1300 Super every 5000 miles-----http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif---(Walmart!!!)

Sorry for the double post------Long night!Edited by: CRUSHER

I'm running Shell Rotell T and change it every 4-5k. Oil Analysis always comes back excellent!

I am using Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40 during Warm weather, Rotella 5W-40 during winter. changing @ 6-7 K. Just went 9,100 with the Valvoline and sent for an analysis. The oil was really black at 9100 miles. only had to add an 1/2 qt of oil @ 7000 miles.


I'll never keep the oil filter in for 9000 miles again. I cut it open and it was really dirty. Not sure how good the flow rate was at this point. I figure from now on I'll change the filter @ 4500 miles if I continue the 9K changes.


When I was changing oil @ 6-7K the filter was dirty but not too bad.


BTW about 5K of the 9K was towing a 10K lb. 5th wheel. Most of my driving is highway. The change oil indicator never came on.Edited by: JohnnyO

Every 10K Shell Rotella Synthetic, started at 20k, before that dino every 3k for the first 12k every 4k until 20. I do notice a funky smell now and then. And yes, my oil is down two notches also from full.

Amsoil change it between 7000-10,000 miles never need a top off. I've been thinking about trying schaeffers but don't really know alot about it.

At 7k I put in Amsoil 5w-30, along withAmsoil dual remote filter setup, one large full flow and one huge bypass.


At 16.2k I pulled a sample, had it analyzed, lab instructions/reccomendation was to change both filters and top off. Now at 18.5k, no problems, no oil consumption, oil pressure OK.

So 50% are old school. Roughly 50% get "IT" Much more than the norm.Edited by: salesrep

Can not wait for abear.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley13.gif

I use Delo 15-40W and change it about every 9,000 miles... along with the fuel filter. In the Summer When I am towing 7,000lbs trailer with my Cab over camper almost every weekend I change it about every 5,000 miles.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif Edited by: ChrisF

Chris how do you determine when to change?

I use the Oil life % if its at 50% it has 5000 miles on it and so on 10% left would be 9,000 miles. I keep track of what I am using the truck for in the winter I just use the truck to drive to work. and in the spring though summer is when I change it every 5,000 miles. I drive my truck a lot, 89 miles to work one way. but I only work 4 days a weekhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif I am at 36,000 and had the truck a little over a year


Edited by: ChrisF

What is oil life %

What is oil life %





on the 03's and up they have an oil life monitor that displays on %'s

How is the oil life moniter calculated?

I've used a "mixed bag" of lubricants. Mostly Rotella-T 15W40, Some Delvac 1300 Super 15W40 and Some Rotella-T 5W40 semi-syn in cold weather. Have had an Amsoil dual remote on the truck nearly since day one, so have been using a 7,500/15,000 mile duty cycle. Change the oil and full-flow filter every 7,500 miles. On every other change (15,000 miles) change the oil, both the full-flow and bypass cartridges. I also change the fuel filter on the 15,000. Have been analyzing the drained oil steadily since 30,000 miles and have gotten excellent results on every sample. At 93,400 today - will go to Rotella 5W40 for the Winter at 97,500 and then maybe Mobile Delvac One or Schaeffer 7000 year-round after that.

I go by the oil life as well. Run it to about 35%. This generally is about 6000 - 7500 miles for me. The dealer recommended not runing it much lower than that. I use Rotella T from Tractor Supply. I change the oil filter almost every oil change, but usually about every 10k. I change the allision filter every other oil change. (14k). I finally add the fimco drain plug valve, this will probably encourage me to change the fluid on time, than before.


Don't forget when your changing your own fluids, to lube up the front zerks.

How is the oil life moniter calculated?


I looked it up in my Service Manual and it only states (for my 2001):


"The engine oil life monitor will indicate when to change the engine oil - usually between 3,000 mi and 10,000 mi since the last oil change. Under severe conditions, the CHANGE OIL SOON light may be displayed before 3,000 mi. The vehicle must not be driven more than 10,000 mi or 12 months without an oil change."


While this does not give details on the calculation, it supports some information that I've gotten second-hand that it uses an algorithm based on rpm, vehicle speed and coolant temperature. My 2001, only having the light, seems to trip pretty consistently in the 7,800 to 8,000 mile range, depending on how many highway miles I've run during the period.

What is oil life %


Here's some info on GM's Oil Life System.


http://service.gm.com/gmtechlink/images/issues/may03/TechLin (http://service.gm.com/gmtechlink/images/issues/may03/TechLink_MAY_2003.pdf) k_MAY_2003.pdf

Can not wait for abear.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley13.gif


I'm over on the 1st page.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif You may also be interested to know that I'm considering Mobile 1 or Schaeffer's in the wife's car. She always seems to tell me it's due for a change when it's well over due.

abearhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gif Either would be good choices for taking a drain out further. Mobil 1 is %100 pao and has an excellent detergency pkg. A true syn vs. some of the pretenders. imo the best otc syn.

Just changed the oil this weekend. Went 9,500 miles since the last change. Oil life monitor still indicated 8% left. I had been running Mobil Delvac 1/ Mobil 1 Truck&SUV oil from 8,500 miles on the truck. This time, I thought I would try Shell Rotella T 5w-40. Truck now has 27,044 miles on it. I also have been using the Baldwin oil filters.


The last time I changed the oil, I installed a Fumoto valve with the nipple. Would have been the cleanest oil change I have ever done if I would have had the drain pan all the way under the filter http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley7.gif.

I am waiting on the light...but I am guessing that it will be about 10K. I'let you know. I am running Amsoil and the bypass filters.

10,000 miles and the Oil Life Monitor says 40% remaininghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif

Are you sure your Oil Life Monitor was not reset some where along the line? Almost all the 9,500 miles on my last change were highway miles and it showed 8% left at that time.

Are you sure your Oil Life Monitor was not reset some where along the line? Almost all the 9,500 miles on my last change were highway miles and it showed 8% left at that time.





My bad Darin. I changed the oil and reset it at 3,000. Thanks for waking me uphttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley12.gif

What is oil life %





on the 03's and up they have an oil life monitor that displays on %'s



Can anyone explain how the monitor works on an 02? I THINK it is
just a reminder at 8,000KLMs (5,000 miles) No percentage.
Just stricktly milage (I think)

What is oil life %





on the 03's and up they have an oil life monitor that displays on %'s




Can anyone explain how the monitor works on an 02? I THINK it is just a reminder at 8,000KLMs (5,000 miles) No percentage. Just stricktly milage (I think)






They use the same algorithm but only an idiot light instead of the fancy percentage number countdown.

Thanx Minn Kota.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gif



Be interesting to see if I make my 16,000 KLMs.