OK, I have a 00 XJ with about 98k on it. It's got a 3.5 " lift w/31" tires, but the engine is stock.

I changed the oil in October prior to driving cross country (MI-WA) in our move. I then changed it in mid November after only 3k because I figured I really worked the oil with the move and towing a trailer.

Fast forward to now, since I changed the oil in November, I have only put 3k on it. Should I change it now, or wait my usual 5k? I'm running Ford Motorcraft semi-synthetic 10w30 w/ a K&N oil filter.

I'm very good with my maintenance, but I figure, if I don't need to change it, why spend good money. I bought it it w/ 64k on it and have replaced a ton o stuff on it to make sure it runs top. When I got it I flushed the trans, then dropped the pan and changed the trans filter, then refilled with AMSOIL.

Thanks in advance.

 

What kind of driving? If you've been doing longer trips that get the oil hot enough to drive out any fuel or moisture, 5-7K perhaps more should be just fine. Short trips around town or dirty, dusty environments I'd do 3K.

 

I change mine when it gets dirty. usually 7-8k miles. on road only dd duty. I put 500+/- mi a week on it. I use 5w30 Dino oil. surprisingly it is still in the cross hatching o the dipstick @ 8k miles. 138k on it now.

 

I adhere to 5k oil change intervals for mostly highway driving and 3k for severe condition and/or mostly city driving. That is using conventional oil.

 

It get's driven a few times a week, just locally. Once in a blue moon we may take a long drive. It's not dusty as we live on the coast in WA. I just didn't remember if it was bad to let that oil/filter to stay in the vehicle for over 6 months. I know it used to be no more than 3 months.

 

I change mine every 3-4k miles,It mostly has short trips around town with the occasional long trip.

Rotella and a extra compacity 51128 wix filter for my renix

 

Best recommendation and guide to help make that decision is in owners manual

 

if I recall correctly my owners manual suggested 7500 miles with on road duty. can't remember at the moment but I do recall thinking it seemed like a lot of miles for 97 model with a caveman engine in it

 

5000 miles with full synthetic oil here. If you're in the mood to do it and you're at 3k, eh why not do it. It may not need it but it sure won't hurt it.

 

I agree with him. You're going to get many different views, this is debated all the time. I change mine usually at 3k just because I can afford it and I figure I can spend $30 pretty often on something that costs a couple thousand. Although I could probably go 6k without any worry.

If you're trying to save money you could probably go safely to 8k or possibly more, but I wouldn't ever test it.

I drive 99% in town at low rpm's with no synthetic.

Sorry I didn't fully read your post, if you drove mainly highway miles then you'll be just fine until 5k or a little more.

 

That was the fairy tale schedule for fairies....use the severe duty schedule

 

every 3K no matter what! for me at least and it takes me almost a year to get that so i figure what the hell ill not eat lunch a few days lol but i am very OCD when it comes to my cars. and good oil is cheap insurance....

 

a lot of opinions out there on when to change the oil. It surprises me that nobody has mentioned their engine using any oil. If your changing the oil every 7000 miles and you haven't had to add any between changes, that's great. I often will change my oil before regular intervals because I may be a quart low. I see no reason to add a quart of clean oil to oil that is already dirty.

 

Owners manual uses two guidelines: 3k and 5k miles. 5k if you do 90% highway, 3k for everyone else. This assumes a normal, healthy engine. If you want to extend intervals you should get a Used Oil Analysis performed. Just because you use synthetic and a good filter does not necessarily mean you can run long OCIs.

 

Cavemen could not make an engine this good.