Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

oil change interval

October 25, 2011, 10:38:22 am

I am about to put my coach away for a few months, and I am questioning the need for an oil change.  I changed the oil and filter in 5/2011.  I put on approx. 7,000 mi.  Should I change the oil and filter now, or wait until I get it out of storage?  It stays inside/heated. 

Gregory S
2003 Designer

Quote Selected

Re: oil change interval

Reply #1 – October 25, 2011, 10:41:03 am

I may be in the minority, but I change my oil once a year, and run about 8000 miles a year.

Quote Selected

Re: oil change interval

Reply #2 – October 25, 2011, 10:51:25 am

It is usually a good idea to change the oil before storage. There are acids that build up in the oil from the combustion of the engine that can etch metal surfaces when in constant contact. When you are using your engine the oil is moving on a regular basis so acid molecules are not in constant contact with the same metal part of the engine as can happen when the coach is in storage. My opinion is that this rule of thumb is not as important as in the past since today's engines tolerance, metals and the oil is much more refined than it was in the past but changing the oil with that many miles on it is probably prudent. IMHO

Quote Selected

Re: oil change interval

Reply #3 – October 25, 2011, 11:53:08 am

Kent

Thank you.  I will heed your advice.

Gregory S
2003 Designer

Quote Selected

Re: oil change interval

Reply #4 – October 25, 2011, 09:36:12 pm

I agree with Kent, also don't forget about the generator!

Quote Selected

Re: oil change interval

Reply #5 – October 31, 2011, 04:56:37 pm

I have a 450 ISM engine.  Talked to a Cummins Service Engineer at a 2010 FMCA Rally. Told him that I wanted to only change oil once a year  and drove between 7-10,000 miles per year. Told him I switched to synthetic Valvolin and change the filter at 7,500 mile when I am go over 7,500 miles between oil changes in one year.  I said I realized I was exceeding their recommended interval of 7,500 miles, so I was doing oil analysis for each oil change as protection for myself and any future lubrication disputes.
The Cummins Service Engineer said I could get by with "standard oil" and still go over the 7,500 mile oil change interval as long as I change the oil filter at the recommended 7,500 mile interval. He said when the 7,500 interval was established for the M-11 engine they did not have as much durability data as they do now. He said that based on warranty information since the M-11 engine went into production, they realized the oil change interval was a little over-kill for the real world conditions. He said that newer engines have higher tolerances and that in addition to more warranty data is why they increased the oil interval for newer engines to 15,000 miles.
But like most engineers, Cummins did not want to go back and redo all the specs. for the M-11. He was inferring that I could get 10-12,000 miles between oil changes, BUT I STILL NEEDED to change oil filter at 7,500 or less miles.

Quote Selected

Re: oil change interval

Reply #6 – October 31, 2011, 05:17:41 pm

 Tom Braum,
  I think according to Cummins, "The ISM cost of ownership is best-in-class as a result of its outstanding fuel economy, 15,000-mile(24,000 km) oil change interval and 120,000-mile (192,000 km) overhead adjustment requirement."  And that is regular dino diesel spec oil!  But maybe your manual says something different.  For your own peace of mind, call  Cummins Customer Service at  800-343-7357.

Quote Selected