28,000 miles between oil changes!

[VXman]

They don’t. They design, manufacture, and sell a vehicles which will go three years, or the period that they provide a warranty on it, and a bit beyond. The manufacturers don’t want vehicles to last years and mega mileage. They want to sell you another vehicle. It’s the same thing with non service gearbox and the like, where a new industries has been developed to keep these vehicles going. Otherwise thousands of vehicles would be being scrapped, or required costly components. The further apart their service the more appealing it is to the buyer. It’s not the best for the engine, or other parts. If it says 28000 that is its maximum, not its best. All you are doing is wasting a small amount of money (in relative terms) to prolong the life of the vehicle, by changing the oil earlier.

I have a 20 year old car, and a 13 year old car. They haven't died yet. They are on 74000 and 85000. The 85000 one's miles have mostly been very hare driven ones with many on track. Apart from my motorhome I have never had a car less than 3 years old when I bought it. I really don't think they are designed to fail after 3 years!!! You have bought into the mentality that you have to keep changing cars every 2/3 years. It's not necessary.

As for motorhomes. Most only do 5000 a year max - lots do much less. They are never likely to get to 100,000 miles with he first owner. Not for 30 years at least.

Suspension items, bushes, joints, exhaust, brakes, etc etc are more of a concern for reliability/longevity than a bit of oil in the engine.

 

[Minxy]

Anyone know how to get the oil in an A Class where there id no headroom to tip a bottle?

Hubby uses a small 500ml Lucazade bottle like the below (other drinks are available) as it has a wide neck to put oil in and he can pour it in to the filler without the need for a funnel.

Problem now is I can't get the filler cap off. Far too tight, needs a tool that I don't have with me.

We've got a jar opener for the camper which he keeps nicking it's a sod to clean afterwards. Good news is that I've just cleared my Mum's flat (exchange of contracts soon) and she had a nice pair of pump pliers which he can have so he'll leave my jar opener alone ... hopefully ... if not then the pliers might find a new use for adjusting his pump!!!

 

[Landy Andy]

You have bought into the mentality that you have to keep changing cars every 2/3 years. It's not necessary.

I haven’t. I’ve a 2006, a 2009, and a 2013. All of them get an oil change once a year minimum, and my motorhome does the highest mileage per year of them all. The 2013 regularly has bits failing as VW designed it to price, and not to last too long. They also charge massive money to price these old vehicles off the road, and generate movement in sales. My 06 is at 130000 and is the best engine of them all.

Why would I not give them the best chance of lasting for £80 of oil per year, and 30 minutes of my time.

Having been a race car builder, and mechanic I can’t understand why you would not do similar.

 

[Morning Major]

Hubby uses a small 500ml Lucazade bottle like the below (other drinks are available) as it has a wide neck to put oil in and he can pour it in to the filler without the need for a funnel.
View attachment 790743

We've got a jar opener for the camper which he keeps nicking it's a sod to clean afterwards. Good news is that I've just cleared my Mum's flat (exchange of contracts soon) and she had a nice pair of pump pliers which he can have so he'll leave my jar opener alone ... hopefully ... if not then the pliers might find a new use for adjusting his pump!!!

Ah yes, I use a 300ml one of those to put 2so in the tank before filling up.

 

[daveclare]

Whatever you do in life, there are always differing views. Including different opinions on how to do stuff.

I do what feels right, or looks right. Sometimes that's the wrong choice/decision. You live and learn.

My thread has certainly bright out some differing views.

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[Lenny HB]

As for motorhomes. Most only do 5000 a year max - lots do much less. They are never likely to get to 100,000 miles with he first owner. Not for 30 years at least.

Nearly everyone I know does 8000 - 10000 miles a year like we do. People who are still working probably do a lot less when we were working we only did 6000 a year but nowdays one trip is often over 3000 miles.

 

[the1andonly]

But, these days to learn something new I have to forget something of old. After completing a Paddle sports instructor course recently I couldn't remember my way home !!!, some poetic licence there, but you get the point, age may bring wisdom, but in my case, not new brain cells.
Mike.

Its a classic case of use it or lose it. Age isnt a barrier to learning, i learned how to program plcs for 1st time at 62 but now retired and need to keep the brain active
Or it dies. The wife does this by playing brain training on the Ds . Same as body loses flexibility, i need a keep flexible regime, forget keep fit.

 

[daveclare]

We probably average 14-16k miles a year. But we're only relative newbies.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Lets not turn this into a mileage competition, “Mine is bigger than yours”

 

[Folkranger]

I haven’t. I’ve a 2006, a 2009, and a 2013. All of them get an oil change once a year minimum, and my motorhome does the highest mileage per year of them all. The 2013 regularly has bits failing as VW designed it to price, and not to last too long. They also charge massive money to price these old vehicles off the road, and generate movement in sales. My 06 is at 130000 and is the best engine of them all.

Why would I not give them the best chance of lasting for £80 of oil per year, and 30 minutes of my time.

Having been a race car builder, and mechanic I can’t understand why you would not do similar.

You ignore the fact these vehicles are built for fleet market as working vans and the majority of those owners are very conscious of running costs and would not buy a van that needed such pampering. Probably why Fiat have built them to go 2 years between servicing because that influences the decision of most trade buyers. But by all means carry on doing the unnecessary, I don't think you'll convert many on here to follow.

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[Folkranger]

Well, solved my low oil and tight cap the easy and expensive way. Took it to a big Fiat dealer in Luxembourg. 50 euros for a litre of oil. In future I'll cary a tool.

The beurocracy was off the scale at this dealer. I was shown a map and told to go to the commercial wing 2 streets away. I gave the guy there the type of oil required, but he wanted every detail. Engine number, chassis number, ownership card???, mileage in kms, my full details etc. Took an hour getting these details into his computer and him checking the engine himself. He blamed us for not having an ownership card??? and asked what would we do if stopped by police. I offered him the log book but he wasn't interested, wanted a card.

In total I saw seven beurocrats in order to get this litre of oil which involved a mechanic and a beurocrat rigging up a funnel and tube with gaffer tape and feeding this from a dubious looking bucket of oil.

Then I had to go to the original dealership escorted in the works van to pay and make my way back to the motorhome.

 

[Landy Andy]

You ignore the fact these vehicles are built for fleet market as working vans and the majority of those owners are very conscious of running costs and would not buy a van that needed such pampering. Probably why Fiat have built them to go 2 years between servicing because that influences the decision of most trade buyers. But by all means carry on doing the unnecessary, I don't think you'll convert many on here to follow.

I think I did cover the fact of fleet as they are covered by warranty and the owner that has them for a limited period statement. I’m not trying to convert anyone, and think there are two types on here. Those with new vans that do the minimum and swap to new vans. Or is with older and look after them and do what is best for them, and I don’t think they are the minority.

 

[Folkranger]

I think I did cover the fact of fleet as they are covered by warranty and the owner that has them for a limited period statement. I’m not trying to convert anyone, and think there are two types on here. Those with new vans that do the minimum and swap to new vans. Or is with older and look after them and do what is best for them.

Whatever

 

[daveclare]

Lets not turn this into a mileage competition, “Mine is bigger than yours”

Is that a dig at me?

 

[nicholsong]

If of any interest I change my oil on my 2.8Jtd (2002) every 2 years.

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[tonyidle]

My Merc van engine takes 11.5 litres. I change it when the instrument display tells me to do so.

 

[gus-lopez]

robably why Fiat have built them to go 2 years between servicing because that influences the decision of most trade buyers.

so why in the USA is it 6 months or 10k miles = minor service, 12 months or 20k miles = major service ?
https://motorhomejunk.co/get-the-most-out-of-your-fiat-ducato-with-regular-service-intervals/

as i posted before & Ford is 8k ?

Well, solved my low oil and tight cap the easy and expensive way. Took it to a big Fiat dealer in Luxembourg. 50 euros for a litre of oil. In future I'll cary a tool.

The beurocracy was off the scale at this dealer. I was shown a map and told to go to the commercial wing 2 streets away. I gave the guy there the type of oil required, but he wanted every detail. Engine number, chassis number, ownership card???, mileage in kms, my full details etc. Took an hour getting these details into his computer and him checking the engine himself. He blamed us for not having an ownership card??? and asked what would we do if stopped by police. I offered him the log book but he wasn't interested, wanted a card.

In total I saw seven beurocrats in order to get this litre of oil which involved a mechanic and a beurocrat rigging up a funnel and tube with gaffer tape and feeding this from a dubious looking bucket of oil.

Then I had to go to the original dealership escorted in the works van to pay and make my way back to the motorhome.

at my Ford main dealer they won't even deal with you without the ficha tecnica. & try buying something for your vehicle that wasn't originally fitted. That really is a trial.

 

[Minxy]

so why in the USA is it 6 months or 10k miles = minor service, 12 months or 20k miles = major service ?
https://motorhomejunk.co/get-the-most-out-of-your-fiat-ducato-with-regular-service-intervals/

as i posted before & Ford is 8k ?

Probably because it's crap oil etc!