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some people recommend changing the oil every so often, and the filter separately - should you change both for a high mileage diesel vehicle more often, eg every 5000kms?

Early model Diesels can have a recommended service period as low as 5,000kms or 6 months whichever comes first, depending on the environment the vehicle is been driven in.

In very harsh conditions for example, (lots of driving on unsealed roads and/or towing) the shorter service regime should be adhered to. For a high mileage diesel you certainly would not want to leave servicing any longer than 6 months or 10,000kms whichever came first.

The servicing on the late model common-rail diesels can be stretched out as far as 1 year or 15,000km.

Oil and filters should always be done together unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise.