How often should we change the oil?

Question

Ok, my husband drives a '81 Ford F100 truck less than 5 miles to his work and back every day. How often should we change the oil? We usually do it once or twice a year. Is this bad for the truck? It has been in my family since it was bought new and it was my fathers pride so we want to take good care of it. Thanks for any help!!

Answer 1

If you are using a good quality oil you can get by with what your doing now. You should probably change it 3 times a year but it is getting old . You should do two changes in cold weather, once in summer would do. Remember new trucks and cars are every 6 months or 5000 miles using the same oil you probably use.

Answer 2

If you also change the oil filter then every 5000 or so is quite adequate. The more often you change it, the cleaner it is and the more engine protection you have... so it's up to you, really. Using a higher-quality oil, and changing the filters regularly will make frequent changes less necessary. But I wouldn't go much over 5000.

If you are doing short trips, use a thinner oil (lower viscosity, like SAE15W-30- the lower the 'W' number, the thinner the oil). This will pump around the motor faster and warm up more quickly.

Answer 3

You are supposed to change it every 3,000 miles or three months, but like you I don't drive my truck very far it is the same to work and back I only change it every six months and I haven't had a problem I just rebuilt the engine in it ( not by choice I lent it out) and it does just fine I think if you drive alot it might need changed sooner

Answer 4

change the oil 2 or 3 times a year

Answer 5

Every 3 months or 3000 miles.

Answer 6

The Manufacturer recommends every 3 months or 3 thousand miles. But that is sooner then it COULD be because of the fact the manufacturer bases that time period on who is making money from you maintenance.

Answer 7

Change the oil every 3,000 miles, and have it greased. Make sure when the oil is changed, also change the filter. Doing this will keep that engine running smoothly.

Answer 8

i don't believe every six months is going to hurt it. what is probably harder than anything on the drive train is starting the vehicle up and only going 5 miles then shutting it down. this truck needs to be ran. it probably isn't even warmed up all the way before it is shut off.

Answer 9

it is recommended every 3 months or 3000 miles by manufacturer service is the life of an engine

Answer 10

every 3 thousand miles or every three months but in reality its more like evry 5 thousand miles or every 5 months and yes what you do is bad because the oil is dirty.