That often?

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2015/11/1 20:05:40

While looking through the Lubrication schedule in my 1956 Service Manual, I noted the frequent need for service. Every thousand for chassis lube, same for T-L, and every 2,000 miles for oil (with a filter swap twice that).

I started working for pay in a full-service gas station five years after my car was made, so we saw lots of our compliant customers frequently because of this and 12 mpg cars. But I did pause when I saw that the Service Manual suggested dropping and cleaning the oil pan yearly, with a swipe at the oil screen at that time.

Given how much we drive (15 to 20K miles annually), one can only do some easy math on how expensive it would be to drive that Packard today. I suppose that we did see some customers every month to lube and change oil, but I don't remember anyone being that dilligent about car care. One older lady did have a very nice 1955 Clipper Custom hardtop that I helped with routine servicing, but I believe that car was used mostly for once a week trips to church and the supermarket. But I can also remember the stir caused by Ford in the early sixties with their extended lube and oil change intervals. My boss was not amused, although he saw the trend and later became a successful Ford dealer in our town.

With the exception of T-L servicing and all those dropped oil pans, I wonder how owners of other car brands followed similar service schedules? For those of us with nice Packards, I suppose we owe a large debt to those who paid the piper by following directions.