Should I change my oil at 4000 miles, or can I wait?

Question

I got caught with the winter storm and haven't been able to change my oil for a while and let it get up to 4000 miles.

I drive a 1992 Ford Ranger, 2.3 liters and use Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic.

Answer 1

I recently found my car manual and it said that I should change my oil every 5,000 miles. I've always done it every 3,000 before because that's what all the oil-change companies recommend. But now I follow what the manual says, since they manufactured the car after all and know what's best. I found a website before where you can enter your car info and it will tell you how often to change your oil. However, I've lost the link to it but maybe you'll have luck searching for it on google or another search engine. Good luck.

Answer 2

First, you may want to check that the truck you have needs synthetic. Sometimes vehicles of that age were not made for a thinner grade oil. However I would say that you should get the oil changed as soon as you can. Fords early 90's models seemed to make the oil pretty dirty in short periods.

Answer 3

A rule of thumb is, after 2,500 normal miles, you are circulating tiny debris inside your engine. This tiny debris is slowly 'scouring' the internals of your engine, and may cause early failure. Of course, 'early failure' can mean pretty much anything you want it too. My own experience has been that if I change my oil, tranny fluid (10,000 miles), check the differential, and tune up my engine every 2,000-2,500 miles I can(and regularly do) get in excess of 300,000 miles out of a vehicle before I sell it( in good working condition). I have been operating vehicles(mostly chevy's) for over thirty-five years, and VERY RARELY have operating problems. I attribute this to a REGULAR maintenance schedule. Hope this answers your question. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I would reccomend doing it every 3,000 miles or 3 months! Especially in an older vehicle!

Answer 5

according to manufacture warranty , 3000 is 3000. if you don`t care about internal breakdown then let it go. (personally,I would change it)