In another thread people talked about changing their oil every 3,750 miles...every 5,000 miles....etc. I was just looking through my Maintenance Log and it says that for my engine (the HO Cummins) my first oil change isn't due until I hit 7,500 miles (based on "Schedule B"...the more extreme one). So...if the manual says 7,500 miles, why do people change it before then when they apparently don't have to? ???

 

Mostly for personal "piece of mind" since they often use brands not listed as approved, I think. It has always been my observation that if you follow the more agressive maintenance schedule for ANY given vehicle, and use the recommended/approved specification parts/fluids, then you will not have any problems realting to that way down the road. If the book says 7500 miles in Schedule B, and you use the Mopar or Fleetguard filters (Mopar are identical to Fleetguard), and the approved CI-4 spec oil, you should not have anything to worry about. I had mine changed at 3750 because that was the FIRST (breakin) 3750, but will follow the schedule in the owner's manual until out of warranty. HTH.

 

conditioning...for peace of mind...psychological benefit. <br>Here go my explination....years ago the manufactures machining process and cleanliness was nothing compared to what it is today. also the quality of oil even the crude based oil far exceeds the oils even from just a few years ago. well years ago it was good maintenace to change oil the oil from the factory because of all the contaminants from the machining process and every 3000 mile due to the inferior oil and it lack of ability to maintain its vicosity rating after all those heating and cooling cycles. today with the superior machining, designs and oil quality if is much easier to get more mile from your engine and oil. todays gas engines make use of fuel injection which precisely meters fuel dumped into the cylinder. One of the jobs of oil is to clean the cylinder walls, well if they are cleaner due to the engine technology the oil will stay cleaner longer there for a longer oil change interval. the older we are the more conditioned we are to change our oil at that 3000 mile interval. some of us even dump the oil from the factory at 1000 miles or so.<br><br>Dan

 

Sounds like good advice. I may go ahead and do my first at 3750 too....even though it says in Schedule B that that's only for the wimpy California engines.... ;D

 

It's always a good idea to do the first change earlier than normal.<br>That way you get the &quot;break in&quot; oil and everything that was left in the engine when it was manufactured, little shavings of metal, dust, dirt, mouse dropping, mice themselves, small birds or children, etc.<br><br>I thought the 7,500 was the schedule &quot;A&quot; which no truck on the planet can fall under, unless you never drive it. (only from browsing the 3rd gen forums, as I don't have one).<br><br>I believe mine has 3,000 listed for the normal schedule, actually driving the truck.<br><br>I looked at mine at 3,000 and it was still nice and sparkly, so I waited till 5,000 at which point it was darkening nicely, but still smelled fresh.<br><br><br><br>phox

 

[quote author=phox_mulder link=board=20;threadid=14780;start=0#138591 date=1053030525]I thought the 7,500 was the schedule &quot;A&quot; which no truck on the planet can fall under, unless you never drive it. (only from browsing the 3rd gen forums, as I don't have one).[/quote]<br><br>Schedule A doesn't show doing anything until you hit 7,500 miles. Schedule B shows a number of things at 3,750....but the note at the bottom says that the oil change it shows at 3,750 is only for the the California engines. Schedule B doesn't show the first &quot;scheduled&quot; oil change for the rest of them until you hit 7,500.

 

That brings up another question (I'm just full of them, huh)....what is the purpose for this &quot;oil analysis&quot; I keep hearing about? How often is this done? Who does the analysis? How much does this cost? I didn't see anything in the manual about this. Is it something that is required or do some people just decide to do it?

 

[quote author=Cummins Hoss link=board=20;threadid=14780;start=0#138619 date=1053034541]<br>what is the purpose for this &quot;oil analysis&quot; I keep hearing about? How often is this done? Who does the analysis? How much does this cost? I didn't see anything in the manual about this. Is it something that is required or do some people just decide to do it?<br>[/quote]<br><br>It is used mainly to show if anything is contaminating the oil.<br>Depending on what is showing as high, it will let you know if you are leaking coolant into the oil, diesel fuel into the oil, engine parts into the oil.<br><br>Fer instance,<br><br>If you have high silicon, your air filter isn't doing it's job, and is letting dirt and sand in.<br>High iron would be chunks of engine floating in the oil.<br><br>It is used mostly for those running extended drain intervals with synthetic oil, the analysis will also show how bad the oil is breaking down, or it's viscosity.<br><br><br>phox<br>

 

I see you did change your name!! ;D I must have ESP :<br><br>I agree with what everybody has been saying. It might be overkill to change oil early but it will NOT hurt anything. I always change my oil early and have done so already on this truck. On my gassers I never went by mileage before changing oil. As soon as the oil started to get a little black, out it came. Never ever had mechanical problems on my engines and I ran them hard and long.<br>I also agree with having an oil analysis done on a regular schedule. Keep all the records for comparison purposes later. They could also help to sell your truck later. Will leave it to others to find out where to have it done.<br>

 

Someone wrote:<br><br>&gt; It's always a good idea to do the first change earlier than normal.<br>&gt; That way you get the &quot;break in&quot; oil and everything that <br>&gt; was left in the engine when it was manufactured, little <br>&gt; shavings of metal, dust, dirt, mouse dropping, mice <br>&gt; themselves, small birds or children, etc.<br><br>I actually checked with Cummins Tech support line on this. They run the engines in at the factory, then drain the oil prior to shipment. IE: Mfg debris should have already been flushed out. They also do not use specific &quot;break in&quot; oil. There is no reason for an &quot;early&quot; oil change, in fact, it may work against you.<br><br>The tech's recommendations was to follow the Maintainence manual. When I indicated 7500 seemed awfully long, he then said I should go at least 5000 miles before first change. Earlier than that and you will be delaying break-in. (Same issue as using synthetics during break-in. Don't do it)<br><br>Have fun!<br><br>Alan

 

Maybe it's too early in the morning , but I am confused by what the individual on the Cummins tech support line told Alan. If Cummins does not ship the engine with any special break-in oil then why would an oil change delay break-in of the engine? If the oil going in is the same coming out, what would it matter? Dirty oil is then better for break-in? Don't get it ???.

 

I'm confused too....but that is normal for me. ;D<br><br>So...to change the oil early or NOT to change the oil early? THAT is the question. ???

 

[quote author=Cummins Hoss link=board=20;threadid=14780;start=0#138851 date=1053099235]<br>I'm confused too....but that is normal for me. ;D<br><br>So...to change the oil early or NOT to change the oil early? THAT is the question. ???<br>[/quote] <br>just do it.