Oil Change Intervals

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

umpqua

GOLD Star
Joined
Jun 10, 2004
Threads
87
Messages
1,380
Location
Portland, OR
Please excuse if this has been asked. New to the board.

I've got two cruisers (fj40-62). Both of these are being driven way less than 3K in three months time. I've always followed the 3K or 3 month oil change routine.

How important is it to change the oil after 3 months if you are putting less than 1500 miles on the oil?

Also, the 1980 40 had the catalytic converter removed years ago. Not a problem in the south, but recently moved to the Pacific NW. It won't pass deq so I continue to have it liscensed in the previous state. Would like to have local plates if possible but would have to put a converter back on. What kind (if any) performance loss should I expect by doing so?

Thanks.
 
I should know the anwser as I have 9 cruisers I drive on and off, none get alot of miles.........but I don't........... so I just change the oil when it feels right....normaly I will have "oil change day" at my place and do 4-5 of them. I think you oil is fine for up to a year these days.

on the cat, I had my 82 fj40 cat replaced(I didn't have to as non test area) I had Walts do it, was $300 for a direct fit, not a butcher job of hackin up the stock stuff and welding what ever they had in, this was made to fit and only cost $50 more. Power........I don't think you will notice any decrese.

where are you in WA? I am down in Gig Harbor

umpqua said:
Please excuse if this has been asked. New to the board.

I've got two cruisers (fj40-62). Both of these are being driven way less than 3K in three months time. I've always followed the 3K or 3 month oil change routine.

How important is it to change the oil after 3 months if you are putting less than 1500 miles on the oil?

Also, the 1980 40 had the catalytic converter removed years ago. Not a problem in the south, but recently moved to the Pacific NW. It won't pass deq so I continue to have it liscensed in the previous state. Would like to have local plates if possible but would have to put a converter back on. What kind (if any) performance loss should I expect by doing so?

Thanks.
 
They say to change the oil every six months if a vehicle is NOT being used. You're battling the condensation issue.

For my rigs I use Amsoil heavy duty diesel oil. I use Amsoil bypass fitler kits too.

In that senario I run the rigs 10,000+ thousand miles between changes.

I send of oil analysis to make sure everything's ok too.


If you use a bypass filter and a quality synthetic oil you can go a very long time between changes.




TB
 
But if you didn't use synthetic since day one, you may start to get leaks. Ask me how I know.
Actually, more so on diffs, trans and xfer than motor, but they are there.
Not to turn you away from syn, just letting you know what to expect.
 
Back to question... I think the length of your average journey is a consideration. I know in my manual it has a schedule for severe operating conditions. They include things like dusty, heavy towing and then the last one.. lots of short journeys. I fall into that last category and change mine every 3 months / 1500 miles. For my schedule, the maunual also says change the filter only every other change - which I follow. Should also mention that mine's a diesel.

Jim
 
Last edited:
Really appreciate the input.....thanks for the response. From what I've read I think that I may go every 4-5 months. That should get me there on the 62.

I enjoy reading this site. Folks seem to be friendly.

I live in Portland.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom