Oil Change interval question

tg in VA · Sep 14, 2012

I have a 2002 International 8100 single axle road tractor with a C10 Cat that I mainly use for pulling my horse trailer. I probably only put 5,000 miles a year on it. Does oil break down over time as well as from use? Should I change it when it gets about a gallon low or...

Thanks

David G · Sep 14, 2012

How long does it take to use a gallon?

Bob Bancroft · Sep 14, 2012

My 1990 IH 8100 with Cummins L10 gets 5-7000 miles per year. The pump is set at "maximum emergency vehicle" HP of 350. Half the time it's heavy. Half the time it's empty. It holds 8-9 gals. oil. I change it(and filter) once a year. It gets a fair amount of idling while unloading. The hourmeter shows 200- 250 hours in a year also.
These fancy filters for some of these applications are getting pricy!

jon f mn · Sep 14, 2012

With that amny miles I would do it every spring. Winter will acumulate a little water so change it in spring and you should be good all year.

oldtanker · Sep 14, 2012

LOL SIL drives OTR. They change his syn oil every 15,000 miles.

Rick

willie in mn · Sep 15, 2012

To raise a few eyebrows on the subject. Have no opinions, just the facts.
Last place I worked before retiring had about 900 OTR rigs, running N14 Cummins power. When I started driving there, oil was dropped at 12k miles. This gradually grew to 15k, then 20k. Later it was chassis lube/inspect at 15k, drop oil at 30k. By the time I retired it was lube/inspect at 20k, drop the oil at 40k. Samples sent to lab at each drop, lab report forwarded to Cummins. Cummins gave the ok for warranty purposes. Used Rotella & Delo oils. Don't recall any engine failures while there.
Consumption wasn't excessive, personally for first 300k wouldn't have to add between drops,later had to add a gallon at around 30k. Usually make veteran drivers take a new one off the lot at around 450k, assign the older units to new recruits, replace at around 550-600k. By that time rookies would have a track record, get a new rig.
Willie

ASEguy · Sep 15, 2012

Yes, the additive package gets used up over time, the base stock does not.

John B. · Sep 15, 2012

It all depends on the program or schedule you set up for oil changes. New vehicles today the computer counts the engine hours, idle times, total rpms and wheel rpms, how many times it's been started what the temp was then calculates the percentage of oil life left. 35 yrs ago they told us in school that oil does not break down it just becomes contaminated from the burning of the fuel and what ever is sucked in thru the air filter(s). I change my personal car and truck oils every 3k miles.

chess · Sep 15, 2012

Company i drove for changed to Castrol synthetic an went to 30000 mile drains. Also did anylis an did 7500 mile grease of steering an drive line an course brake check.Rarely had to add any oil between oil drains.

johndeere720diesel · Sep 16, 2012

I would change it in the spring too and be done with it or before you first use the truck the company I work for as a mechanic is currently running Mobil delvac 1 5w30 full synthetic oil changes at 25000-35000 pending on the fuel millage the truck/driver gets

Oil Change interval question

tg in VA

Member

David G

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

jon f mn

Well-known Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

willie in mn

Well-known Member

ASEguy

Well-known Member

John B.

Well-known Member

chess

Member

johndeere720diesel

Member

Similar threads