Oil Choices And Time Change

[Chris]

so when i left cali, i left my car knowledge behind too. i used to be a master with s10's. but know all i know front to back is a c-130 hydraulic system. i need recomendations on oil and when to change ive used the 5w30 and a synthetic blend 5w30. but should i go thicker. i do some like off roading in sand where i usually run in 2nd almost on a nightly basis and i tow lil ricers to the dragstrip almost weekly for friends. and its about 90-95 degrees f andabout a 90% humidity

[Bish]

You're about to unleash a torrent of opinions....

 

I run synthetic for extra insurance and performance. Currently Amsoil but I think any major brand like Mobil 1, Penzoil Platinum are fine. I get my oil analysis done to determine change intervals. I get about 8K out of an oil change, Synthetics can handle higher temps and won't break down as fast as a dino. I run synthetic everywhere, trans, diffs, t-case, etc. I put high mileage on my vehicles and beat them pretty hard. I usually put 35K a year and keep them at least 150-200K miles.

[Zembonez]

MAN!

 

We can beat a thread about oil into the ground huh?

[txab]

Another oil change thread FTW!

[Chris]

i ust want too do things right. wanna see 150k at least from that truck

[nobrakes00]

Any one or combination of: towing, hauling, running her hard, extreme temperatures... use a good full synthetic.

 

For me, I live in SoCal where the temperatures are fairly consistent all year-round, and very rarely do we get into freezing conditions. I run my truck as a daily-driver and don't pull a trailer and will only use the bed for pickin' up a new bbq or dresser when called upon. Therefore, I run a name brand conventional oil (usually Pennzoil) every 4-5k with filter change. Since I change often, I've never had an issue using a bargain priced filter such as Fram or Purolator.

 

I enjoy changing my oil often, so for the conditions I run in, I believe I'd be throwing my money away on synthetics.

[MS3DALE]

Use any good oil,Regular "dino" or synthetic,and change it on a regular basis,and you'll be fine....your engine will last!!

[wlvrn1215]

I change mine every 30,000 miles. They say its good when oil comes out like chocolate pudding. I use super tech from wal mart. good luck

[pennzoil29]

Use any good oil,Regular "dino" or synthetic,and change it on a regular basis,and you'll be fine....your engine will last!!

 

 

I myself, use Valvoline 5w30 Max-Life synthetic blend. I just rolled over 178k, and she's still running great. I change it every 3k.

[wlvrn1215]

go Amsoil!

[c4cruiser]

I would suggest a full synthetic given the loads placed on the engine and the ambient air temps you see. A 5W-30 should be fine but you could also use a 10W-30 given the high temps. Synthetics will handle higher oil temps better and the addes cost is worth it. Change the oil every 5K or so and you should not have a problem. Also use a good quality filter like K&N, Mobil-1 or the NAPA Gold.

 

With off-road use, I would be changing air filters failry frequently too. Twice a year if there is a lot of loose sand or dust in the air.

 

Does the truck have a good tranny cooler? Off-road driving in a lower gear and frequent trailer towing pretty much mandates a good tranny cooler. The factory one is maybe OK for occasional towing but a good cooler with a stacked plate design will help keep tranny temps down and help with its life. You didn't say how many miles are on the truck or how long you have been doing off-road and towing, but you might consider a tranny flush and new filter with a larger cooler.

[Chris]

well i bought my truckin socal, bakersfield to be exact. 10 month summers never drops below 40. and days of 100+ but here in florida its about 90 with extreme humidity and it got to 14 in december

[Chris]

there is 74,459 on the ruck a the offroading has been over the past 3 months. towing since november. the only mods r the k&n cai and the flowmaster exhaust

[Patrick11]

I change mine yearly weather it needs it or not

 

 

Not really but I change mine with Mobil One 5w 30 fully synthetic, I change it everytime my thing reads out change oil or what ever it reads about 6500 to 7000 miles, and then its really not black

[085300]

Mobile 1. I dont keep track of the miles anymore, change it when the oil life monitor gets down to around 30%. I run cheap filters like champ or AC delco, is that ok?