Synthetic Engine Oils; Checking Oil Level; Changing The Oil; Changing The Oil Filter - Fleetwood Bounder 1987 Owner's Manual

Synthetic Engine Oils
Synthetic engine oils and conventional, mineral-oil-
base engine oils have some similarities. They are both
blends of base oils and additives. In fact, most of the
additives used in synthetic engine oils are identical to
those used in conventional engine oils; in at least one
so-called synthetic oil, mineral oil is used as the base.
The mineral oil used in conventional engine oils is
a mixture of hydrocarbons (hydrogen and carbon) ob-
tained from crude oil pumped from the ground and
refined by physical separation processes such as
distillation and solvent extraction. The base oil used
in most synthetic engine oils is obtained by chemical
reaction processes involving materials produced from
the same crude oil. For example, an acid and an
alcohol can be obtained from crude oil and reacted
to produce an ester - a commonly used synthetic base
oil - which is a fluid composed of hydrogen, carbon
and oxygen.
The performance quality of a finished engine oil,
either conventional or synthetic, depends on a careful
selection of the base oil and additives to produce the
desired characteristics.
Information currently available on synthetic oils does
not
justify any additional lengthening of the oil change
intervals. Any engine part failures caused by using an
oil beyond the recommended change intervals will not
be covered under the New Vehicle Warranty.
Checkinf/ Oil Level
"""," . To provide proper lubrication for the engine and to
help prevent engine damage, check the oil level
periodically to insure that there is an adequate amount
of oil. Also, the engine oil must be drained and re-
placed with fresh oil, and the oil filter replaced at the
intervals recommended in the appropriate
Maintenance Schedule.
*
Warm -The best time to check the engine oil level
"is when the oil is warm, such as during a fuel
stop. First, allow a minimum of 10 m"inutes for
the oil to drain back to the oil pan. Then pull the
dipstick out, wipe it clean, and push iJ back down
all the" way.
• _", - . .1"
*
NOTE: Failure to allow sufficient time 10r the oil
to drain back into the oil pan can give "an er-
roneous low oil r"eading", and the appearance of
excessive oil consumption.
-
..
-.
., .
Now pull the dipstick out and look "at the oil level
on the dipstick. Some dipsticks are marked with
"Add" and "Full" lines. Others are marked" Add
1 Ot." and "Operating Range". In all cases, keep
the oil level above the "Add"" line. Push the"
dipstick back down all the way after taking the
reading. Add oil if needed."
*
Cold - If you check the oil level when the oil is
cold, do not run the engine first. The cold oil will
not drain back to the pan fast enough to give a
true oil level.
A good method of checking oil is as follows: At
the end of a day's driving, pull the dipstick out
slightly from the tube so that the tube is not seal-
ed by the cap at the top of the dipstick, Leave
the dipstick in this position overnight. Before star-
ting the engine again the following day, seat the
dipstick and check the oil level. This method will
allow the oil to drain down easily and provide a
more accurate reading.
Changing the Oil
Oil can be drained from the engine through the drain
hole in the bottom of the oil pan. Fresh oil is added
through the fill tube at the top of the engine and near
the radiator. Generally, the recommended oil change
interval is
3,000
miles or 2 months, whichever comes
first. More frequent intervals are recommended if any
of the following severe operating conditions are
encountered:
*
Frequent long runs at high speeds and high am-
bient temperatures.
*
Operating in dusty areas.
*
Towing a trailer.
*
Idling for extended periods and/or low speed'
operation.
* Operating when outside temperatures remain
below freezing and when most trips are less than
4 miles.
NOTE: Refer to the Owner's and Driver's Manual
and Vehicle Maintenance Schedule for the oil
type, viscosity and alternate change intervals
recommended for the operating conditions
encountered.
Changing the Oil Filter
" The oil filter is a spin-on type which can be re-
moved with a band-type filter wrench. Install the"
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ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM
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Fuel Filters
An engine fu"el filter is located in the carburetor
fuel
inlet~
This fuel filter" element is pleated paper.
Elements are placed in the inlet hole Vliith the
gasket surface outward. A SPring holds the
el\l~
ment outward, sealing it by compressing a gasket
, surface against the inleUitting.
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