5k mile oil changes in spite of oil life indicator still showing plenty left

[FrankFrqnkFrank]

It is out of a Wrangler (JL) that came into the shop with a camshaft slow response code and a bonus ticking on both cylinder banks. It was an aftermarket warranty claim, and I can't remember if the warranty company covered it or not. I do remember replacing the engine, which was the only acceptable repair in this case. I took the picture just for laughs, I didn't know if it would be fixed or towed out. Here is another picture. This is actually from a different 3.6, but makes the case for regular maintenance.

I think that’s the infamous “Pentastar tick” caused by needle bearing failures in the rocker arms. Everyone with a 2020 or older Pentastar should be cutting open their oil filters after their oil changes to see evidence of metallic failure before the failure evidence becomes audible

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[Charles 236]

I think that’s the infamous “Pentastar tick” caused by needle bearing failures in the rocker arms. Everyone with a 2020 or older Pentastar should be cutting open their oil filters after their oil changes to see evidence metallic failure before the failure evidence becomes audible

Definitely was a ticking engine, in this case it was several ticks. I won't make any statements about oil viscosity or types online, but I will say that regular oil and filter changes would have been cheaper than engine replacement.

 

[Uparms]

Mobil1 filter and Penzoil Plat. Full Synth. Every 5K, then reset meter.

 

[GrubbyBaja]

To the OP; since the oil life indicator algorithm is based on driving characteristics, you could always drive the shit out of it for 5,000 miles...maybe that will get the oil life indicator more in line with your oil change routine.

As another data point, my 2020 JTR has been relegated to a weekend mountain bike hauler and lumber yard housing project support vehicle. It gets full synthetic changes at 7,500 (or yearly) along with a 5-tire rotation.

 

[Breaktrack]

I just can't bring myself to run the oil much over 5k. I just changed it again, with 5,200+/- on it while the oil life indicator was at 41%. Anybody else stuck in this mindset? The whole "it's cheap insurance" thing is something I've subscribed to with all of my vehicles. But in this era of rampant inflation, I"m considering extending service intervals on everything but I seem to have a mental block on this, especially with this particular Jeep.

Nope, I am the same. I’m on my eighth Jeep vehicle in a row and I’ve always maintained the oil change at every 5,000, and tire rotation every other oil change, and it has served me well. My last one was a wrangler I traded in at 155,000 miles and my current Gladiator is at 121,000 currently. The only engine problem I’ve ever had out of any of them was a water pump going out on a Cherokee in the late 90’s at about 65,000 miles.

Cheap insurance is right!!

 

[MeiMei]

There are still people that think the 3k interval is still the correct intervals. The manual clearly says 10k with normal use. If you want a definite answer to give you piece of mind, send samples in at 5, 7.5 and 10k intervals. I go between 5-10 because I do all my cars at once and this is generally where they are at every 6 months, but 5k is probably overkill if not wasteful (assuming you use the correct synthetic oil and factory filter).

 

[Tactical Trash Panda]

I'm in that 5k miles oil change club. My Hayabusa I change 2,500 miles. Doing oil changes early doesn't hurt anything and I just feel better about it. Especially being in the Florida heat all the time.

 

[MUFF]

I am also a dinosaur. I have changed my oil and rotated the tires at 5,000 miles on every one of my vehicles since I started driving. I do it myself, so it only costs me the price of the oil and filter (I also change the filter every oil change). In my mind, it is cheap insurance and the 5,000 mark is easy to remember.

 

[VA-Rayne]

5000-mile oil changes for me as well, like other have stated cheap insurance and peace of mind.

 

[Gizmo]

I still do 3500 miles being that comes out to once a year

 

[Jeeper44mag]

I'm in that 5k miles oil change club. My Hayabusa I change 2,500 miles. Doing oil changes early doesn't hurt anything and I just feel better about it. Especially being in the Florida heat all the time.

THIS. Florida heat is HARD on EVERYTHING.

Luis

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I just can't bring myself to run the oil much over 5k. I just changed it again, with 5,200+/- on it while the oil life indicator was at 41%. Anybody else stuck in this mindset? The whole "it's cheap insurance" thing is something I've subscribed to with all of my vehicles. But in this era of rampant inflation, I"m considering extending service intervals on everything but I seem to have a mental block on this, especially with this particular Jeep.

No, I'm not.

Data drives my choices, not feelings.

I run the thing to zero, as I did my Grand Cherokee that's still going up and down the road with 285k on it, and my Ram, which I drive daily with 445k on it.

Absolutely no evidence that changing oil for funsies, or buying expensive brands, actually buys longevity.

 

[Firebird]

Just did my first oil change and tire rotation at 4200 miles, and will stay at 5000 mile change and rotation intervals.

 

[g2020]

My answer is E) All of the above.

Requirements from the owner's manual:
1. Change oil and filter
2. As indicated by Oil Change Indicator System (do not ignore; it can illuminate sooner than MAX mileage); can trigger as early as 3,500 miles; if triggered, change oil & filter ASAP, within next 500 miles
3. MAX of 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first (under normal conditions; no vehicle modifications, no severe duty, no off-road or dusty conditions, no heavy loads, no trailer towing, no hot weather, and no rapid acceleration)
Severe Duty:
4. MAX of 4,000 miles: Dusty / off-road / predominantly at idle or only very low engine RPM

The lifetime warranty on my vehicle, Warranty Forever by NWAN ("free" from my selling dealer), has a 1,000-mile or one-month grace period (in addition to the intervals stated in the owner's manual). One of the warranty terms is that I must have the oil & filter changed by my selling dealer or a preauthorized repair facility of my choice. I bring my own oil & filter (Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 and matching M1 EP filter).

I use my vehicle as a daily driver and have never taken it off-road or done any trailer towing.

The Oil Change Indicator System has been triggered once. This was probably caused by several long trips, with posted speed limits of 75 mph, during the hot summer in Texas. I had the oil changed ASAP.

Two oil & filter changes were completed at between 9,600 and 9,900 miles. The oil was just a bit streaky when I looked at it before each service, but I didn't have it tested.

If I didn't have a lifetime warranty, I would change the oil & filter every 7,500 miles or 1 year.

 

[avere3]

I plan on changing the oil every 5000 miles on my 2024 Gladiator. With the 2016 Colorado that I traded for the Gladiator, I changed it when the indicator got to 20%. That was usually around 6000 miles, but I used full synthetic instead of a synthetic blend that the gauge was calibrated for. It had 148,000 miles on it and ran great.

The shop that changes my wife's oil in her Transit Connect ALWAYS puts 3000 miles on the sticker, no matter the vehicle or oil type, but they told me we could do it every 6000 when using synthetic. So why not put 6000 on the sticker??

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