From what I notice, the dealer will set how often will the computer will tell you to change you oil. My first message was 5,500 and after taking it to the dealer for the oil change, the next time was at 2,500 miles after with the same driving style. I reset it at home and when I took the truck for the next change I had the dealer reset the computer to alert me at every 6k like the manual recommends.

 

I don't think these trucks have the ability to choose a reminder interval like that. Unless the dealer does it in the scan tool, but I highly doubt that a dealer would hook up a scan tool during an oil change. I think it's just the computer being inconsistent (i.e. 'smart' - hah)

Rob

 

To be honest with you, I think its all up to you. I will be doing mine every 3 thousand for atleast this first year of owning my truck.

Jiffy lube use to always advertise "every 3 thousand miles, just bring it into jiffy lube", not where I got my 3k idea from. I think most synthetics nowadays are made to go pretty long, way more than 4k. But I would really never wait more than 8k, thats just too much wear and tear on your engine.

The oil is what 1) helps all the parts lubricate and run smooth 2) help keep everything cool 3) help remove dirt, metal wear, etc etc, 4) the list continues

but would you really want to risk any of that buy being to cheap to spend a few bucks on an oil change when you just spend $XX,XXX on your truck? I know I'm not

 

Every 3k is way overkill this day and age. if you really want to know do a oil analysis several times over the course of several oil changes.That gives you a base line. Anything else is purely guessing and speculation. If the factory EVIC is good for UP to 8k why would any one 2nd guess it? Plenty of Honda,G.M.,Fords,Bmws etc. posting on www.bobistheoilguy.com that they are following their OLM system and trust it. Some roll 8k to 10k regularly between changes with oil analysis backing it up.

 

I've had my oil tested twice, both times at 5000 miles when I changed it out. Once was Royal Purple 5w-20 and once was Valvoline full synthetic 5w-30. I have a non-MDS Hemi which calls for 5w-30 unlike the MDS models which call for 5w-20. The RP was a sale and it was the only viscosity grade that was on sale???

Both times, the oils tested out fine with a recommendation to run it for another 2000 miles and have it tested again. Of course, since this was at change time, I didn't.

I continue to run full synthetic with a premium filter (usually Wix, but I have a K&N in now due to a sale) for 5000 miles which is about 6-8 months for me. I have no intention of stretching it out any longer than 5k, but it's reassuring for me to know that when I change it, that it still has at least 2k miles worth of protection properties in it when I change it out...

 

Well, following that logic then you better be changing oil every 1,000 miles. No, wait...500 miles. No, wait...after every trip to the grocery store.

 

Point being is that 3 and 3 is so very old school. Its getting to where 5 and 5 is also. Back in the old 3 and 3 days the reason people had sludge and engine issues is that went 10k plus or never. These OLM systems are a godsend for the general public as long as they change it when it hits 0 or says change now.

 

Some people have actually done long-term tests where they monitor the oil health regularly. In most tests I have read it seems that as long as the synthetic oil can be kept clean (i.e. filter changes at certain intervals) it can continue to protect WAY longer than most people would go, without sludge build-up.

Here's one example:
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html

Rob

 

I have posted this before. Its from Mopar magazine. Explains the system pretty well. While todays oils are much better, it all comes down to how you drive. Like for me, I take many short trips (less than 4 miles) during a course of a month. I also drive about 7K per year. Short trips where the vehicle never gets fully warm is harder on parts than just freeway driving.

http://www.moparmagazine.com/2009/ma...ing_light.html


"The brains behind the oil change indicator system is the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). It processes a variety of inputs (hardwired and bussed inputs) to decide the oil change interval. The PCM then broadcasts this interval decision, via the vehicle bus communications system, to the driver through a message on the odometer or EVIC display in the instrument cluster (Figure 2).

There are six inputs used by the PCM. The factors which indicate severe use (and a shorter oil change interval) for each of these inputs are listed below:

• Ambient temperature – extended periods of low temperature operation
• Average vehicle speed – stop and go driving
• Engine run time – prolonged idling
• Trip length and coolant temperatures – short trips
• Engine speed and load – trailer tow usage
• Flex-fuel percentage – ethanol percentage of more than 60%

Based on this information, at a fixed number of miles since the last reset of the system, the PCM calculates the combined effects of these variables to determine if a severe usage pattern exists. If severe usage is determined, the oil change message is activated at 2,500 miles; otherwise, the message is not displayed until additional mileage has accumulated.

 

thats just plain ignorant and you know it. but feel free to leave productive comments on every thread, I sure as hell appreciate it.
you want to play that here you go:

you move into a house that was previously owned. all the toilet seats are there, they appear to be good, so with your logic your going to keep em! me: Im going to change them because who knows who has been on em over the years, what alls been on em, and who had what disease. So im gonna spend a few bucks and change them even though they are sparkling clean


3k is a good chunk of change. I dont know about you guys but my truck is my daily driver around the DC area in bumper to bumper traffic. So yea I'll waste $30 bucks and an hour every 6/7/8 months to take care of my $35,000 truck. I understand some of you just drive your trucks to work down the highway or some easy going back roads, which I could understand every 5-10. My old truck I did about every 5 or 6, but I'm definitely gonna change more often due to this truck cost me 3 times as much as my 04

but like I said its all personal preference, do whatever you want to do. you spent a $h!t load on your truck, do what you want with it

you can get technical all day, show me oil companies data and whatever, trust me I know, I've read it, I was a mechanic, but really..

30 bucks for a better lubricated engine twice a year, translating to better mpgs, better running engine, and piece of mine ORRRRRR save a whole $30 and have dinner at applebees! man my old lady would go crazy