Greetings fellow Jeepers.

I have a ‘newbie’ question regarding oil change frequency. Probably a bit dumb, but here goes anyway….

My XJ is driven in a “hot” and “dusty” environment and is only used for “short” trips (all language as per the user manual).

The maintenance book says that under these conditions the oil needs to be changed every 5,000 km. However, it says nothing about months.

The guy at the Jeep service centre, however, is telling me that the oil needs to be changed every 5,000 km OR 3 months, depending on whichever comes first.

Now, I calculate that on average only would have completed about 2,100 km by the 3 month period. I’m assuming that with this relatively nominal mileage, the oil is probably still good.

Should I still change the oil after 3 months even though I’ve done next to no mileage on it?

Oil changes are dirt cheap here, so it’s not the money. It’s the time. I know for a fact that the dealer will keep the vehicle for at least 3 days even for an oil change (that’s Qatar for you….), so I want to avoid letting him get his mitts on it to early and too often, if I can.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ash

 

i would do it every 6 months or 5000km

 

every three months or three thousand miles which ever comes first thats the standard

 

For those of us "metrically challenged", 5000 kilometers is 3106 miles.

For your particular situation of hot and dusty, and noting your location, (Qatar) I definitely wouldn't want to exceeed 5000 km or 3106 miles.

For me, the wildcard here is how dusty the air is. And what the average ambient temperatures are. Your environment is not like ours in the continental US, and that needs to really be factored in your decision.

If it is really dusty and extremely hot, changing every 3 months would not be wrong. Otherwise with your mileage, 6 months would get you to 4200 km and you could change it then. Or somewhere inbetween.

But considering that oil itself is cheap, I would opt towards being more conservative on this, strictly because of your location.

And having to leave it at the service center for 3 days for an oil change means one thing. That you learn how to change oil yourself! It is about the #1 easiest thing for an owner to do. We can walk you through it or give you a link to an article that gives you the step-by-step. Can't miss!

 

Well, it's a desert, and fine sand gets absolutely everywhere, so I'd say it's pretty dusty. Temperature ranges between 20 degrees C in the winter and 50 degrees C in the summer, with severe humidity (maybe 80%) in the hottest months.

I guess I'll play it safe and go for the 3 months.

Thanks for the offer of tips on doing an oil change, but in all honesty it's probably not something I'm likely to do while I'm over here. Shameful to say, I know, but I guess I've been a pampered expat for just too long now to even think about donning the overalls and getting mucky under an engine!

Cheers again guys.

 

Oil will begin to oxidase once its put in your motor, thats the reason for the three month rule. Like you say "it's dirt cheap to change your oil" save your self some griff and change it every three months regardles of the miles.

 

Humbug. Unless you're running with all your crankcase vents open and not using an aircleaner, dust won't amount to much.

If you're insistant about 3000 miles or 3 months, at least use the cheapest standard oil you can buy. Otherwise you're throwing your money away even if oil changes are cheap.

 

^X2 what he says ,but thats my 2 cents

 

Is there any way you could change your own oil? It would certainly save you time, plus there is that feeling of knowing it is done right.

 

every 3k miles or twice a yr. decent quality oil and no fram oil filters

 

X2

 

I read a post on some forum where a guy who didn't drive many miles left oil in his truck for over a year. He sent it in for analysis and it was fine. I don't think the 3 month thing is relevant. Maybe at one time when oil was less advanced.

If you're worried about the age, you could use synthetic oil.

BTW, make sure you use a high quality air filter from a known brand. AC Delco makes filters that are known to be good. DO NOT use an oiled filter like a K&N. They let more dirt through. http://forums.nicoclub.com/debunking...r-t180100.html

 

Hot dusty/sandy areas I'd suggest every 4000km or 3 months. MAX. Your biggest change will be the filter, use a WIX filter. I dont care to explain why but you can read why if you like.

www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

Here is a thread discussing oil change mileage and month intervals. One guy says his friend drives 15,000 miles a month on his semi truck, and the oil has 100,000 miles on it. So that's about 6 months on the same oil. It's synthetic oil though.
http://forums.pickuptrucks.com/ubbth...page=1&fpart=1

 

FUll synthetic and a good filter.. Should extend your interval by at least 1.5 times. Best thing to do actually is to have your oil analyzed and you will know when you need to change it.