Cautionary Tale on Oil Change Required Message
10-19-2007, 06:23 PM
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Cautionary Tale on Oil Change Required Message
Just thought that I would relate my latest experience on my truck.
At 5500 miles, the Oil Change Required message showed up on my CEL. I had the oil changed at 3000 miles (freebie from the dealer), so I figured that maybe they had forgot to reset it. My plan had been to wait until 7500 miles as recommended in the manual.
When I gave it more thought, I was a little more concerned. Around 5000 miles, I had taken the truck to the dealer for the MIL light. They told me that the MIL light came on because I put LSD fuel in the truck. Of course I told them they were full of it. I have not seen anything but ULSD since I bought the truck. Anyway, they reset the MIL and cleared the codes.
I decided to change the oil just in case and not just reset the Oil Change Required message. Am I glad I did!!!! That oil was pitch black! And VERY thick! Not at all something I would keep in the engine any longer than necessary.
For all of you that just reset the message, give it another thought. Is the savings of not changing the oil worth running black tar in the engine? This was enough to make me consider a secondary oil filtration unit.
At 5500 miles, the Oil Change Required message showed up on my CEL. I had the oil changed at 3000 miles (freebie from the dealer), so I figured that maybe they had forgot to reset it. My plan had been to wait until 7500 miles as recommended in the manual.
When I gave it more thought, I was a little more concerned. Around 5000 miles, I had taken the truck to the dealer for the MIL light. They told me that the MIL light came on because I put LSD fuel in the truck. Of course I told them they were full of it. I have not seen anything but ULSD since I bought the truck. Anyway, they reset the MIL and cleared the codes.
I decided to change the oil just in case and not just reset the Oil Change Required message. Am I glad I did!!!! That oil was pitch black! And VERY thick! Not at all something I would keep in the engine any longer than necessary.
For all of you that just reset the message, give it another thought. Is the savings of not changing the oil worth running black tar in the engine? This was enough to make me consider a secondary oil filtration unit.
10-19-2007, 06:34 PM
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Your oil being pitch black is going to be found about 20miles after every oil change. It is normal. Just be sure to use the correct cj rated oil. The days of pulling the stick after 4k miles and the oil looks like you just changed it are over.
10-19-2007, 07:22 PM
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Alot of peolpe think I am dumb for it but I change mine every 3000 miles along with the fuel filter but I rod the heck out of my truck. I have 7000 miles on the truck and I have had 2 oil changes allready.
10-19-2007, 08:43 PM
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I'm with you on that one KMK, I do the same as well. Good practice......
10-19-2007, 08:48 PM
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My oil looks fairly clear even at 2k miles and more. I know the "Pre CR" motors would turn the oil black right away. I guess I'm lucky?
Either way, I change the oil every 10k and the FF every 20k.
75k miles, and no issues.
Either way, I change the oil every 10k and the FF every 20k.
75k miles, and no issues.
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10-19-2007, 09:02 PM
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I forgot to mention I only average 700-800 miles amonth so I dont have to change it very often that way. You guys that use your trucks to haul things for a living would have to change your oil every week going 3000 miles
10-19-2007, 10:10 PM
#9
"California Style"
I'm pretty much in the same boat with KMK because I don't put hardly any miles on my vehicles, but tend to work them when I do. So, I change all my oil (even synthetics) at the old standard 3K interval. Don't change it often because it takes me a long time to rack up 3K... I figure it is cheap insurance and peace of mind.
10-19-2007, 11:49 PM
#11
"California Style"
Exactly, I checked mine after 25 mile drive home from the dealer when new, and it was pretty black. Big difference from my Tacoma at 71K with synthetics. The Toyota still looks brand new everytime at change time. Does anyone have issues with their 6.7 using any oil ever? Just curious.
10-20-2007, 05:17 AM
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On the subject, my opinion (backed by oil analysis) is that you are throwing money away and unnecessarily polluting the environment by changing your oil at 3000 miles. Follow the manufactures recommended interval (at least). Just my two cents. YMMV
10-20-2007, 03:57 PM
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on the 6.7 the oil is already black before you put the oil....
