Is a 10,000 mile oil change interval ideal for the 2.3L?

[Jfly96]

Regardless of whether or not you use full synthetic or the blend, check your oil, swipe dip stick with your fingers and change it when it turns dark brown. My Subarus would go 5000 before I started thinking about a change but my 2019 2.3 Ranger only lasts about 3k before I start to think about it so maybe a change around 4-5k

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[Jfly96]

This topic is tired and beat to death. The manufacturer recommends 10K intervals (or their OLM that effectively gives 10K intervals). They are the only ones on the hook for warranting/covering damage.

Your dealership that puts the sticker at 5K? The oil change place that says "come back in 3!" - what possible motive could they have for getting you to change it more frequently? Hm I wonder.

The result is DIY weekend warriors blowing money and calories to feel good about wrenching on their car 2-3x more frequently than needed. If any of you read this and are offended, i've got a project car languishing in my garage that needs work - I'd be happy to redirect your attention.


Separately, just had my oil changed at the dealer yesterday - included with truck, and hardly worth it at "free" due to service, excessive waiting (45min after completion before i was allowed to leave according ot my dashcam timestamp). They put a sticker in the corner telling me to come back in 5k miles. Ooookay. sure.

Lifetime transmission fluid too lol…
I just swipe the dip stick with my fingers and change when it’s starting to get dark

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

The book is pretty helpful on the intervals based on your driving habits and truck use (i.e. heavy idle time, towing, etc).

Not only does it outline this - it explains how our Oil Life Monitor is Intelligent and is actively monitoring for these circumstances. It will adjust your interval based on your use - so it is actually not hard coded for 10,000 miles. Under normal use it is variable from 7,500-10,000.

 

[21rangerCactus]

Search my username and you'll find two posts with my last two oil analysises at 10k. I plan to continue on with 10k oil changes.

 

[seanellaz]

To do such a thing would require you to tear your motor down and inspect it all with a fine tooth comb.. then compare it to a torn down motor of a Ranger driven identically in identical conditions for the same span of time...

Looking forward to your findings!

I appreciate your understanding of scientific methodology. To extend the idea, 10,000 motors randomly selected from all of those powering the range. 5,000 motors with oil changed as indicated by the OLM, 5,000 motors with the oil changed at some fixed interval, say 5,000 miles. I was thinking if it loses compression and blows smoke that would be a more obvious sign. If it takes an engine tear down and micrometer readings then I think the OLM is close enough to useful.

 

[ProtonDecay]

Congratulations on spawning a thread that has probably gotten nearly every active member to post their opinion. That is rare these days on this forum.

We tow a heavy trailer (6K lbs) under extreme conditions (steep grades, off road), and I have a strong desire to minimize downtime, so have hewed pretty closely to 5K from the dealer. Just went in for the 30K service and while perhaps overly conservative did all of the recommended service items. We're planning an extended Alaska trip in 2023 and I have a high preference to avoid camping extra days on the outskirts of Toktoyaktuk while waiting for parts to get shipped in.

Best of luck whatever you choose. Oil and filters are fairly cheap and there is likely some guy nearby with a pre Def Diesel who would love to have your waste oil.

 

[Radioman]

Congratulations on spawning a thread that has probably gotten nearly every active member to post their opinion. That is rare these days on this forum.

No, not yet. The thread hasn't reached 10 pages.. Then I will respond.

 

[D Fresh]

Not only does it outline this - it explains how our Oil Life Monitor is Intelligent and is actively monitoring for these circumstances. It will adjust your interval based on your use - so it is actually not hard coded for 10,000 miles. Under normal use it is variable from 7,500-10,000.

Then why dies it clock 10% every 1000 miles or 5 weeks regardless of the driving conditions?

OLM is just a fancy clock.

It's not as though the manual has proven to be at all factually correct.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Then why dies it clock 10% every 1000 miles or 5 weeks regardless of the driving conditions?

OLM is just a fancy clock.

It's not as though the manual has proven to be at all factually correct.

Not sure about your truck and what you're seeing; but I can say already for my vehicle this is not true. When I look at my OLM on Ford Pass it is already saying I will not make it to 10000.

My Odometer currently reads 1760 miles.

 

[D Fresh]

Not sure about your truck and what you're seeing; but I can say already for my vehicle this is not true. When I look at my OLM on Ford Pass it is already saying I will not make it to 10000.

My Odometer currently reads 1760 miles.

Perhaps my math is off.

But you have 1700 miles on your truck. OLM says 85% of life left. Meaning it's telling you right now that it needs an oil change at "roughly" 10k miles.

Seems like you've proved my point for me.

As far as the May estimate that's either the time factor or the truck extrapolating out the miles you drive per day.

Also, while your experience backs up my point completely. You're basing your point off of 1700 miles and zero oil changes.

I'm basing mine off of 35000 miles of driving truly varied conditions and 7 oil changes.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Not trying to prove you wrong. But I suppose if I'm making a point it's that it says my estimated distance is 8500 miles, not 10,000.

 

[D Fresh]

Not trying to prove you wrong. But I suppose if I'm making a point it's that it says my estimated distance is 8500 miles, not 10,000.

Estimated distance from now 8500 miles. Plus the 1700 you currently have makes 10,200 right?

Or did math change again?

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

No I think you may be mis-reading the meter though. It is saying that my estimated oil change will be at 8500 miles. Not in 8500 miles. The estimated distance is on the oil total milage, not estimated distance remaining - like how the fuel gauge works.

 

[D Fresh]

No I think you may be mis-reading the meter though. It is saying that my estimated oil change will be at 8500 miles. Not in 8500 miles. The estimated distance is on the oil total milage, not estimated distance remaining - like how the fuel gauge works.

You most certainly are misreading your app.

Here's mine. Oil change 750 miles ago at 35k miles.

How am I to change the oil at 9000 miles if the truck has 35000 miles on it?



When did people start speaking with authority about things they know nothing about?

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Don't be angry at me - you're here to help me understand. Appreciate you having the discussion with me.

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