Service Intervals for Motors in Udon

[Franco]

Reading through the various posts on motors owned by Forum members, Why are the service intervals so short? I noticed this with my Triton, looks like 5 - 6000kms is the norm.

Here in the Uk from my experience Service Intervals are getting longer, 10,000 miles for my motor and I believe some motors are up to 15,000 miles (24,000kms) for the basic Oil and Filter changes. Is this down to the Heat, Dust or just another Scam by the Dealers?

[Galee]

My Triton is 10k

[jingjai]

My guess would be dust.
Same as when I lived in Hawaii. I would have my basic oil & filter changes more frequently than the manufacturer recommended. Better to be safe than sorry.
For my Nissan, which was new when I bought it, the schedule is: 1000, 5000, 15000, 20000 and so forth every 5000. Mine is under warranty for another year, so I guess I need to play by their rules.
However, I will add that I've only put 20000 kms. on my car in two years. So, I go many months between servicing.

[Guns482]

Heat and dust, i was advised by Mitsu even though it says 10k every 5k is better for the engine, minmal cost no problems worth it in my book.

[keg]

My vigo is 10K.

keg

[Lek Car Rentals]

We service every 5000 km's on our Tritons and all other vehicles, if not serviced properly, certain things might not be covered under warranty, (in the small print)

It also helps not having to get out of bed in the middle of the night recovering vehicles....

[Guns482]

It is not only the warranty but keeoing the engine and moving parts well serviced is a must in hot countries. In cooler countries like Europe servicing can be stretched out as heat is not the problem, I remember in Aden in '67 we changed oil every 1000 miles on most vehicles just to keep them running sweet.

[laphanphon]

We service every 5000 km's on our Tritons and all other vehicles, if not serviced properly, certain things might not be covered under warranty

this is the only reason i service within, usually couple thousand late, last one 23, should of been 20, no big deal.

i remember as younger man, how the oil companies advertised how good there oil was and didn't need to change so often. now, it's high performance engines and oil breakdown, so change much more often so we make much more money. OIL DOESN'T BREAKDOWN. unless driving in the desert, or extreme weather conditions, which thailand is not, the oil change intervals are a joke. used to be 15k miles for oil, 30 for oil and filter, more 10k kms for both. yea, right. but if under warranty, it's their rule book. in over 35 years, no car of mine has ever needed a ring job, due to dirty oil eroding the engine. i can procrastinate better than most when it came to car maintanence, especially way back when. if it ain't black, it aint dirty.

IMHO, it is one money making scam.

[jetdoc]

One of the biggest problems is the acids that form in the oil due to the condensation that occurs with repeated shut down startup cycles. Victor Cement had a fleet of diesel that were rarely shut down and consequently they would change filters from time to time but not the oil. In 1958 at the LA truck show I saw a Cummins diesel with 1,000,000 miles on it and oil changes were at overhaul I think 3 or 4 times. Here we do get condensation so I change oil and filter when the service schedule calls for it.

[Aardvark]

All of the above are correct. Short trips , stopping and starting are the main cause of engine wear. I do 110 klm a day round trip to work, 30klm freeway on 100klmh and my mechanic tells me she's still as good as new. 218,000 klm on the clock now and runs as sweet as a button

[Peterplay]

I know people in Holland, who use normal cars, almost never change their oil, only fill up. Never an oil related problem.

Here in Thailand I think it's a scam, at Ford they want to service with expensive mineral oil, but I tell them to use oil as specified by the manufacturer, ie Ford. When they do, they tell me to change after 5K... I say yes and drive 10 K or more.

Mitsu, 5K changes - absurd, only because otherwise I don't get a 5 years guarantee.

[Franco]

Thanks for the feedback gents,

still clear as Mud, My head says scam but need to keep my warranty running so 5k it has to be, lucky services are cheap here, even 40 years ago when engines were very basic along with the Oil, service intervals were 5000 miles (8000 kilos) so I think something is wrong here, and what about the environment all that extra waste Oil being recycled or poured down the drain. I balme it on PAD

[saint]

my triton is oil changes at 10, 000 kilometers, and i really think it is the heat issue, i know my truck has a viscous fan plus 2 electric fans for cooling purpuses. also under the bonnet when parked in the sun ive seen temperatures of 120 degrees plus, on the computer.

[fatbas***d]

Oil requires more frequent changes at colder temperatures due to condensation contamination in the oil. Engines run at a fairly constant temperature whatever the ambient,the thermostat takes care of that.

My vehicle in Aust has recommend changes at 15k kilos, changing oil at 5k is a waste of good oil.

[BobHelm]

Think it depends what you are getting for your money on the service.
If all you are getting is new oil & filter then probably a waste of money. If you are getting a professional check all aspects of the vehicle to a professional standard then it is a cheap way to maintain a vehicle in tip top condition. Up to you, you pay your money (or not) & take your chance (or not)...

[BobHelm]

Think it depends what you are getting for your money on the service.
If all you are getting is new oil & filter then probably a waste of money. If you are getting a professional check all aspects of the vehicle to a professional standard then it is a cheap way to maintain a vehicle in tip top condition. Up to you, you pay your money (or not) & take your chance (or not)...