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

DanW

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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.
Do what makes you feel at ease. I do 5k because it basically boils down to 2x a year and I feel very confident that the oil is in good shape. I did about 12 or so used oil analyses on the 3.6 in my JL and found the oil to be in good shape, even going to nearly zero on the monitor (about 8200 miles). But I“m really not as comfortable going that far. So I am VERY confident that the oil is in good shape at 5k and has good margin to go beyond it if I go beyond for some reason.

Anyway, run a good quality oil you like and do it at 5k and sleep well. The 3.6 is very easy on these modern sythetic oils designed for the torture of direct injection and turbocharging.
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ShadowsPapa

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I am sure this has been discussed, Oil Analysis is the best way to determine your oil life and change interval.
But did you see the youtube video Russ posted?

The modern oil life monitor will match reality very closely.
What the analysis is good for is showing premature engine wear or other issues, but for oil life, not necessary (unless it makes you feel good)
 

Jrgunn5150

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They should make an oil life meter for the transmission. Wouldn’t that be telling.
My last 8HP had 445,000 miles on the original fluid.

It would be telling for sure.

And people would still yeet 500 oil pans at them for their delicate feelings.
 

ShadowsPapa

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They should make an oil life meter for the transmission. Wouldn’t that be telling.
Yeah - it would likely tell most people they've wasted a bunch of time and money - but, whatever.
 

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ShadowsPapa

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Wasted time and money doing nothing? Nothing is what most of do on that ā€˜lifetime’ oil. A life meter would actually dispel that.
I bet an oil life meter for the transmission would show things are fine. You realize that many of these transmissions go over 100,000 miles and never get touched, right?
We used to run 100,000 miles and over on transmission fluids 50 years ago.
Transmission fluid and filter changes weren't exactly a big part of business years ago.
Seriously, I'm betting that the typical driver can easily take these over 100,000 with no ill effect at all. Note - I said typical driver - NOT forum member.

( don't base it on your own bad luck, either.............. )
 
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Hootbro

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My last 8HP had 445,000 miles on the original fluid.

It would be telling for sure.

And people would still yeet 500 oil pans at them for their delicate feelings.
I like my delicate feelings.
 

ShadowsPapa

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I like my delicate feelings.
YOU?
UH, man, that really smashes the picture I had of you in my mind.

I guess my mind's eye needs glasses.
 

Rusty PW

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Rusty PW

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Stan H

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I bet an oil life meter for the transmission would show things are fine. You realize that many of these transmissions go over 100,000 miles and never get touched, right?
We used to run 100,000 miles and over on transmission fluids 50 years ago.
Transmission fluid and filter changes weren't exactly a big part of business years ago.
Seriously, I'm betting that the typical driver can easily take these over 100,000 with no ill effect at all. Note - I said typical driver - NOT forum member.

( don't base it on your own bad luck, either.............. )
I nearly have 121K on mine and I'm a forum member šŸ˜‚ original engine and transmission.
 

Maximus Gladius

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( don't base it on your own bad luck, either.............. )
My bad luck is a thing of the past! It took a serious turn and it didn’t go from bad to worse, it’s gone from bad to better than bad! Now I just have to keep this classic going.
 

ShadowsPapa

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I nearly have 121K on mine and I'm a forum member šŸ˜‚ original engine and transmission.
But are you typical? LOL
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