[t11ravis]

Just got an '11 F350 and am still figuring out my maintenance schedule.
I always followed the Severe Duty schedule on my old 6.0 because it was a 6.0 and I did pull a trailer a bit more than I do currently.


My current situation: truck is daily driver (office is 10 miles away), in Florida, pulling a 14K 5th wheel approx. 500 miles round trip maybe 6-8 weekends a year. I also have a small 6x10 enclosed trailer that I pull around town maybe 2-3 days/month with a couple dirt bikes in it. Also, I never go off road.


Does that sound severe duty to you?

 

[JESSE 1]

I would use the severe duty schedule. The loads you pull aren't heavy but only driving ten miles to work really doesn't let the oil get hot enough. I do 4000 mile changes on my truck and use Rotella T6 synthetic 5w40. Since I do my own oil changes I'm only out the cost of the materials.

 

[wpetko]

The severe service schedule never hurt anyone. The only reason to use the "normal" service schedule would be if you can't afford the severe schedule &, in my opinion, if you can't afford more frequent oil changes then you can't afford the truck anyway.

 

[djousma]

I have similar driving habits to yours, except my commute to work is further. However, I would just follow the OLM and change it when it says - about 7500 or so. I've been doing that for 100K miles in this truck. I do use synthetic, started with Rotella T6, switched to Mobil-1(because walmart was soldout of T6 at the time, bought the mobile-1, and never switched back).

It is my opinion that the 6.7 is not as sensitive to oil like the 6.0 was with the oil fired injectors.

 

[navistar45]

With the expense of replacing the engine of any of the new trucks today, and the varying conditions one may come across during the period of an oil change, i vote severe service myself.. Really not that much more of an expense if you add it up over the average life of a vehicle.. It can also be a selling point for the next buyer..

 

[ArcticDriver]

Do any of you guys get an oil analysis from a company like Blackstone?

Its really the best way to tell.

 

[2015_PSD]

Do any of you guys get an oil analysis from a company like Blackstone? Its really the best way to tell.

Yes; I used to use Blackstone, but I switched to Polaris for a few reasons:

1. Blackstone has increased cost to $38 per test (including TBN) and Polaris is $19 per test (including TBN).
2. Polaris is ISO certified and (as near as I can tell) Blackstone is not.
3. Blackstone's "recommendations" read more like an anecdote than a scientific analysis of test results.
4. Blackstone seems to be plagued with problems on the test results where they are often asked to re-run the test to ensure the results are accurate.

 

[converted]

Yes; I used to use Blackstone, but I switched to Polaris for a few reasons:

1. Blackstone has increased cost to $38 per test (including TBN) and Polaris is $19 per test (including TBN).
2. Polaris is ISO certified and (as near as I can tell) Blackstone is not.
3. Blackstone's "recommendations" read more like an anecdote than a scientific analysis of test results.
4. Blackstone seems to be plagued with problems on the test results where they are often asked to re-run the test to ensure the results are accurate.

Looking at the Polaris Lab web site, I do not see an option to perform tests one at a time. Did you just purchase a pack of 10?

Thanks,
Cale

 

[2015_PSD]

Looking at the Polaris Lab web site, I do not see an option to perform tests one at a time. Did you just purchase a pack of 10?

I buy them through Amsoil. I will PM you the link (not sure if posting in the clear is inline with the board rules).

 

[FordWilly]

The severe service oil for the Ford Powerstroke is 5/40 full synthetic. I have run it always in all 5 of my Powerstrokes.

If Ford changes your oil they will put in Motorcraft 5/40 and when I do it myself I use Rotella 5/40 synthetic which you can buy at Walmart much cheaper. If you live in a cold winter climate as I do its much better for sub zero starting. And if you pull up one of the steepest climbs in the country pulling a 16k 5ver in summers 100 degree plus heat as I do it has a much higher thermal brake down temperature than dino oil. The overall protection it gives is simply a smart all around choice to protect your huge investment.

Also on a working truck I would always change dino oil at 3000 miles and with synthetic I extend with no concern to 5000 mile changes which reduces the actual cost to run the synthetic. Just use it. IMHO