Mobil 1 - 10,000 miles?

40Kchicks · Apr 9, 2004

I send my oil into our local Cat dealer to keep my skid steer in warranty. I was at the dealership a couple of months ago and asked if they would analyze the oil in my powerstroke diesel and how much it would be. They said they would be happy to do it for just $13.

TresCrows · Apr 17, 2004

The 3,000 mile oil changes are acomplete myth. There is no need to do that in any newer vehicle using any modern oil, especially synthetics like Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil. I have always run 7,500 miles between changes until I moved down this stupid dirt road and now I do 5,000 and I am considering going back to 7,500.
Unless you use the base Quaker Stale/Pennzoil products there is no reason to change every 3,000. It is a waste of your time and resources. Mercedez Benz would not tell you to do something if it was not right. After all, they have a reputation for longevity, why risk it? That is why they recommend Mobil 1. A 10,000 mile change seems reasonable unless your climate has a lot of dust/dirt/dirt roads/severe use.
By the way, Mobil 1 has a new 5W-40 Diesel/Gas oil for trucks and SUVs. Full synthetic and rated for all diesels currently in light trucks including Cummings etc. it is also suitable for diesel tractors. JFYI. J

RalphVa · Apr 21, 2004

ONLY 8 years? You could probably drive it for 8 years without chainging the oil and not worry about engine failure.

I'd be inclined to go 10k miles between changes but change out the filter at 5k miles. Easy to do on the Benz, too. You really hardly have to add any oil when changing it out either. Oil from the filter can goes into the crankcase.

Stick with Mobil 1. It's the best. Probably any other synthetic would do, but I haven't seen the research on them.

I've a 1983 240D with 185k miles. Change oil every 3k miles with Exxon Superflow 10w40. Sometimes, I skip the filter and let it go for 6k miles. Starts and runs like new. They tell me that if the timing chain stretches that its performance will decline first. I've heard that 200k miles is about it for the chain. Still waiting.

Ralph

Junkman · Apr 21, 2004

( .................. They tell me that if the timing chain stretches that its performance will decline first. I've heard that 200k miles is about it for the chain. Still waiting.

Ralph )

Ralph..... when the chain stretches, the performance might be effected, but you probably won't notice it because it doesn't happen all at once. What does happen all at once is the chain getting enough slack that it will jump a tooth and performance will have ended. If you are lucky, the only thing that you will need is a new chain and gears. If you are unlucky, then you will need a complete new top end or possibly even a complete engine. If you like your car, replace the chain and gears before the engine is destroyed. Don't try to squeeze the last bit out of it in the name of economy. It is false economy to wait till the damage is done. Replace it now, because it is time. It is called preventative maintenance vs. repair when it breaks. How do I know this...... I had a Mercedes that had a bad valve train and it destroyed the engine. The positive side of this, is that it was under warranty. They insisted that I prove the oil changes, but after that hurdle, they put in a new engine..... all this at 15,000 miles.

Jkw · Apr 23, 2004

I’ve decided to do the first oil& filter change @ 3,000 miles and than @ 5,000 miles just to be safe. Thanks Jkw

r0GuE · May 3, 2004

( Engine oil analysis, That's over the top, but Cool !
I visted the Blackstone site, they're sending me the kit but it now costs $20.
Jkw )

This is definitly cool. I'll be trying it out as well. Can they do this on synthetics as well?