You know, the last place I worked at sent oil in for analysis and we got back the results to determine oil change intervals for fleet service. It is invaluable info for...fleet service vehicles. It was used to help schedule maintenance intervals for our fleet. It's a good deal and is very accurate.
However, interjecting this type of 'service' into a thread like this is advice that will probably be ignored by the normal consumer but, none the less, it's good advice but, it's still subjective in the context of threads like these. Subjective as advice like any other advice given. Not the content or it's usefulness but, as advice.
As I said, I am quite familiar with the process but, find no need to use it because, IMO, it is more useful in a fleet service venue than it is in a normal, consumer venue. Do it if it gives you peace of mind.
You know, the last place I worked at sent oil in for analysis and we got back the results to determine oil change intervals for fleet service. It is invaluable info for...fleet service vehicles. It was used to help schedule maintenance intervals for our fleet. It's a good deal and is very accurate.
However, interjecting this type of 'service' into a thread like this is advice that will probably be ignored by the normal consumer but, none the less, it's good advice but, it's still subjective in the context of threads like these. Subjective as advice like any other advice given. Not the content or it's usefulness but, as advice.
As I said, I am quite familiar with the process but, find no need to use it because, IMO, it is more useful in a fleet service venue than it is in a normal, consumer venue. Do it if it gives you peace of mind.
100% agree with you in every aspect. I don't continue to do the analysis.. two was enough. All I wanted to know what when the oil life monitor tells me to change soon (down to 10% life), how the oil was doing and if the monitor was accurate. I changed it at that point and sent it in.
I was told to go another 1,000 miles on the next oil change as everything was great and the protection was well above the minimum requirements. I didn't go further because that confirmed the OLM does indeed work after 2 confirmations.
So now I just change it based on when it warns me.
As said, oil changes are cheap insurance but it's wasted money if you are just doing it to do it rather then doing it because you should.
Charles, as has been mentioned, this has been discussed many, many times. Using the forum's 'Search' function you will find many helpful threads including this 22 page thread with which yours has been merged.Is the proper procedure to just follow the Oil Life Monitor for the first oil change, or is the first oil change to be done sooner? I saw nothing about changing the oil after the first 1000 mile break in in the manual. Our truck is coming up on 2200 miles and the Oil Life Monitor indicated 81% remaining.
there are several huge long threads on this debate.
In summary there are two camps:
Camp#1 follow the olms recommendation as set out by the engineers who built the engine.
Camp#2 disregard the olms recommendation as set out by the engineers who built the engine and go with the 20 year old belief that those engineers really dont know anything. Just because they designed, engineered, and tested these engines they really don't know what they are talking about. It is far better to believe your grandfather who told you to disregard what anyone said and change the oil every 3000-5000 miles because that's what he did. After all grandpa knows more than some stupid algorithm made up by some geek, right?
Take your pick.
There are several huge long threads on this debate.
In summary there are two camps:
Camp#1 Follow the OLMS recommendation as set out by the engineers who built the engine.
Camp#2 Disregard the OLMS recommendation as set out by the engineers who built the engine and go with the 20 year old belief that those engineers really dont know anything. Just because they designed, engineered, and tested these engines they really don't know what they are talking about. It is far better to believe your Grandfather who told you to disregard what anyone said and change the oil every 3000-5000 miles because that's what he did. After all Grandpa knows more than some stupid algorithm made up by some geek, right?
Take your pick.
There are several huge long threads on this debate.
In summary there are two camps:
Camp#1 Follow the OLMS recommendation as set out by the engineers who built the engine.
Camp#2 Disregard the OLMS recommendation as set out by the engineers who built the engine and go with the 20 year old belief that those engineers really dont know anything. Just because they designed, engineered, and tested these engines they really don't know what they are talking about. It is far better to believe your Grandfather who told you to disregard what anyone said and change the oil every 3000-5000 miles because that's what he did. After all Grandpa knows more than some stupid algorithm made up by some geek, right?
Take your pick.
The only problem is that it's the marketing folks that set the OLMS recommendation not the engineers...
If that is true, I'm surprised they let it go one full year for low mileage driving. Some people are more comfortable with 6 month changes with a lot of short, stop and go trips that may total 3k miles a year.
While I think we do have an oil change industry that is motivated financially for shorter intervals, some people are also more comfortable with shorter intervals. They feel it is a small price for piece of mind.
Me. I'd change at the 9-10 month interval with 3k miles of a lot stop and go a year with semi-synthetic on a NA V6. Everybody has their comfort level.
The first should be no different then the subsequent changes. If it was, it would be mentioned in the manual. Some like to do it early to flush out deposits etc. I don't and have never had any issues. BTW there are a few threads on first oil changes. Your never going to get a consensus on oil changes period.I did a search but only found threads that discussed the oil change intervals. I'm specifically asking about the FIRST oil change and was wondering if it should be done sooner because of the break in process. I have an Oil Life Monitor system on my Cadillac and only change when it says that it is time. I also plan to do the same with the Explorer.
The only problem is that it's the marketing folks that set the OLMS recommendation not the engineers...