Oil Change Interval ?

[Jerry W Campbell]

Hi Folks,
   I have a 6-71N with a 5 Speed. I drive nothing but Hiway miles. How often should I change the Oil.
Just tryng to stretch it out as long as I can.
Thanks
Jerry

[H3Jim]

I do mine every year or 10,000 miles whichever comes first.  series 60.  what does your book say?

[gumpy]

8000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

That's my opinion. That's about how many miles we put on a year, so it typically works out to once a year. I'm adding a gallon about every 1500-2000 miles.

[Busted Knuckle]

On a 2 stroke I agree wih Craig, 8,000 miles or 1 once a yr which ever comes first! BK 

H3 you should be able to extend that to 15,000 on yer 60 series but then again doing it the way you are assures you'll always have good oil! BK 

[Jerry W Campbell]

Thanks Guys,
   I usually have all the fluids and the filters changed in the fall before the trip south, 6000  miles. After thinking about it I think the problem in my case is not the miles driven but the 6 or 8 months it sits.
PLUS, I take it to Southern Oregon Diesel and while they change the fluids they inspect EVERYTHING under the bus so when I leave I know the condition of everything. That makes me much happier when driving down the road a stranger in a strange land.
While thinking about how much money the trip was going to cost I forgot a couple of important points. Thanks for stirring up the sleeping brain cells.
Jerry

[TomC]

Depending on where you live.  I live in L.A, so no really big temp differences and I keep the bus indoors.  My last change, 6 months before I changed it I had the oil analyzed and it came back OK-and that's after 2 1/2 years and 5,000 miles.  The bottom line-if you really want to know if you should change the oil, have it analyzed.  That's the only really accurate way of knowing for sure.  So ultimately, I had gone 3 years before I changed the engine oil (not saying it was correct or you should do it, just that it turned out OK). 

Jerry- what you are doing taking it to SoOr Diesel for a yearly checkup before the long trip is the smartest thing anyone could do. Especially if you don't know what to look for and are not a mechanic yourself.  Good Luck, TomC

[gumpy]

Jerry,

You're right on track. I didn't mention it earlier, but I don't change my own oil. I do most of my own mechanical work, but the oil is not one I tackle. There are a couple reasons for this. The first is I don't have the capacity or desire to deal with 8 gallons of used oil at one time. I don't have a shop or pit, so I'd have to do it on the driveway on blocks. Trying to herd 8 gallons of used motoroil while on my back or belly is not my idea of fun. The main reason, though, is exactly as you said. Once a year, I get to have professionals put my bus up on the racks, and go over the undercarriage with a keen eye. They check the work I've done to make sure I haven't missed anything or screwed up anything. Costs a bit more than doing an oil analysis for several years, but to me, it's money well spent.

craig

[Brian Diehl]

I'll second Craig's approach as I do the same thing.  Well worth the dollars to have C&J Bus's crew look over the bus while doing repair work.  Having them do the maintenance also goes a long way towards earning a little "free" advice when needed as the repair shop usually doesn't mind giving out a little knowledge now and then when they know you are a good repeat customer.

[Busted Knuckle]

Well being the tight wad I am! I change our own oil every 1-3 months (8,000mi) in our coaches! It would cost too much to drive up and let JD and his crew of professionals do it for me! Besides last time we had a bus serviced out on the road (during Hurricane Katrina Relief) it cost me  fortune and they didn't even have the right oil (which I'd asked for & been told ya no problem!). Took 6 hrs and $300.00 and 6 gallons of oil I had on board! That won't happen again! BK 

[H3Jim]

I too have the dealer do it, 40 qts of oil is just too much to deal with.  I don't have a 10 gal bucket anywhere.  They also lube and check everything.  Each time during the inspection, they have found an additional repair that would have left me on the side of the road.  The dealer has all the parts right there, so they just fix it, and I still get to keep my bussin experience fun.  They lube the kingpins too, which requires it to be on a lift to get the grease in where it needs to go.  Can't do that on the ground.

Lube service from Prevost is not much different in cost than on my car. Under $300.  Money very well spent in my opinon.  Do all the filters too.

And as Brian says, I get to pick their brains on Everything else about the coach, from maintenance, to upgrades, anything coach related.  Well worth the relationship.

[Brian Diehl]

It would cost too much to drive up and let JD and his crew of professionals do it for me!

Man BK, why let a little thing like a 14 hour drive keep you from J.D. and his crew at C&J bus.!!!! 

[Busted Knuckle]

JD an I are "phone buddies" some day I'll get a chance to go up an meet them, but for now I call norder parts and get expert advice over the phone!  BK 

[tekebird]

Greyhound oil change intervals ( may not be current)

When the engine is down 2 gallons.

[Beatenbo]

I have always gone 10K between changes. Thinking about taking to 12K Had oil analyzed in several buses and always came back sutiable for additional running. My current bus uses less than any I've ever owned, a gal about every 2,000-2,500 miles. Most of the leakin DD ( or the ones I've owned ) usually get a gal about every 1,000 miles or so like a constant oil change a gal at a time. Oil today is much better grade.. I have been involved with 2 new coaches plus 10 of my own. I run about 30-40K a year. That's about 3 times a year. Just my take. What ever makes you comfortable.

[belfert]

Should I expect any measurable oil consumption in a Series 60?  It seems normal to use oil in a 2 stroke.  My oil level seemed to still be good after my 1600 mile trip home.  I had the oil changed before my trip.

I will probably just have C&J change the oil like Brian and Craig.  I can go 15,000 miles according to Detroit, but I will do once a year which will probably be half that.

Brian Elfert