Can I use synthetic blend?
I hear you. I started driving in the 70's and there is no way that I would have considered 10K oil changes in my first cars. Technology has come a long way since then. I was skeptical when I read about the first "sealed" transmissions whose fluid is intended to last the lifetime of the car but they seem to work quite well and are generally not the component that sends the vehicle to the salvage yard.I am not a fan of the 10k oil change.
Right you are. If you really want to get a group of guys in a yelling match, start talking about engine oil.Oil Change Food Fight....
And, for the 2012 T&C, that is indeed the manufacturer's recommendation. The very same manufacturer recommends 10K and 12 months for the 2017/18 Pacifica. Should we believe the manufacturer? If so, in which instance?Pacifica oil change indicator not coming on at 9,000 miles is at odds with Chrysler's T&C 2012 Service manual:
"The oil change indicator message will illuminate approximately 7, 000 miles (11 200 km) after the most recent
oil change was performed. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within 500 miles (800 km).
However, an earlier oil change at 3, 000 miles (5 000 km) may be required if the vehicle is operated under
"Severe Duty Conditions" later in this information."
Here's what the Service Manual considers Severe Duty Conditions:
"Change the engine oil and engine oil filter at every 3, 000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months if using your
vehicle under any of the following severe duty conditions:
Stop and go driving.
Driving in dusty conditions.
Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
Trailer towing.
Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
Off-road or desert operation."
Half of my driving falls under 1 and 3.... (city driving). So, I guess I fall under somewhat severe,.... maybe 4 months or 4K miles is pretty close to the Service Manual.
More caveats on oil changes from the 2012 Service Manual:
The oil change indicator message will not monitor the time since the last
oil change. Change your vehicle's oil if it has been six months since your
last oil change, even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 7, 500 miles
(12 000 km) or six months, whichever comes first.
OK so six months is drop dead regardless of mileage..... interesting..... I learned something.
Greg
There are a couple of things in the manual that make you scratch you head. The manual says that operating under Severe Operating Conditions can cause the oil change indicator to come on in as few as 3500 miles, but then a couple of pages later it says that if operating in those conditions you should change at 4000 miles. Hmmm. I think the trend towards longer intervals recognizes the advances both in material and lubrication technology as well as the desire by consumers to have a vehicle that requires less maintenance. Fewer changes also has a positive environmental impact. One has to imagine that the manufacturer is going to err on the conservative side, however, because they certainly don't want to be paying for unnecessary warranty repairs, especially given the trend towards longer warranty periods.There's a PDF of the Pacifica Owner's Manual online:
https://www.chrysler.com/download/pdf/manuals/2017-Pacifica-OM-1st.pdf
They kept the Severe Duty in there but increased the mileage from 3000 to 3500 from the 2012 Chrysler Service Manual.
But as noted in this thread previously, they increased the "drop dead" limits to 1 year and 10,000 miles (up from 6 months and 7,500 miles in 2012).
Funny, it's the same company and same engine but the numbers changed.... just following the trend of other companies to go longer between oil changes, my guess.
At what percentage on the Oil Life Indicator are folks changing their oil?[/QUOTE
I would recommend changing your oil whichever comes first:
1) Indicator says 0%
2) 365 days have passed since your last oil change
3) Your ICE engine has seen 10k miles.
I doubt #3 would happen before #1. For many, I'm guessing #2 would occur well before the other two. Even premium 15k extended life oil requires you change it after 1 year, even if it only has 3k miles on it. So FCA's reco to change after a year per the manual is a good principle. Only exception is your first oil change. Might be good to change a bit prematurely due to break-in.
"I think it is programmed such that #1 will occur at #3. "
I don't think it is that simple. Previous Chrysler products I have had with the oil change monitor would call for changes much, much earlier in the cold winter months with short trips. As early as 6000 miles.
Summer, with long trips would call for an OC at 10 or even 11000 miles.