Lazy man’s oil change…

[Fastcar]

I am 75 yrs old, and a retired engineer. One thing I learned in life is: anytime you take a shortcut to save time or money is going to come back later and bite you in the ass. The engineers at Ford, and oil/filters company say to change stuff for preventative maintenance are for reasons that non-engineers do not understand. Is saving time and a $10 filter worth possibly screwing up a $10K engine?
On my Gen 2 expy, the filter is much more accessible if you remove 2 screws and the plastic "heat cover" in front of the filter. As said above, I am 75 and I do my own oil changes.
Want to find an easier way? Go to a "oil quick change" or Dealer and buy the oil change guy a hamburger or 2, and let him tell you how they do it. Remember they have to do this fast....

There is that. But it is a profit driven deal as well. Since your old you should remember when the auto makers said "change the oil and filter at 5,000 miles". Then when the quick oil change deal showed up the oil change went to 3,000 miles. Thinking about it that was before syn oil.

 

[chuck s]

I don’t think any vehicle manufacturer of passenger vehicles recommends changing the oil and not the oil filter at the same time.

A little known brand known as Honda calls for an oil change at 7500 miles on my car and a new oil filter at 15,000 miles -- every other oil change.

It never hurts to follow the Owner's manual even though we know it was written by idiots and 3,000 mile oil changes are necessary. Expedition 3.5EB oil and filter change schedule is 10,000 miles or 12 months. Still wondering what the issue is with changing the filter at 10,000 even if the oil was unnecessarily changed before then. Changing pure synthetic is probably not necessary even at 10,000 miles according to my oil analysis and the oil is certainly fine after 12 months and less mileage. (But I change the oil and filter annually -- much less than 10,000 miles normally -- to get rid of the nagging dash "warning.")

Since we're no longer using vegetable oil for motor oil it doesn't go bad in a year or two. Mileage and abuse are something different.

-- Chuck

 

[1111ExpyEL1111]

just a idea... why not put an oil filter relocation kit on it? put it in a convenient place for changing.

I have a 16 Expedition with the 3.5. Is there an oil filter relo kit for it?

 

[bman440440]

quick google search-----> Derale Dual filter kit # 15749

 

[haviland]

My 2017 has a huge protective shield (something similar to cardboard?) that makes filter access a pita. I chose to bring it to a Jiffy Lube type place- a first for me.

JasonH said in a post above that he just let it drain and it wasn't too much of a mess. Jason, did you mean you removed the filter and plug and just let it drain?

 

[JasonH]

My 2017 has a huge protective shield (something similar to cardboard?) that makes filter access a pita. I chose to bring it to a Jiffy Lube type place- a first for me.

JasonH said in a post above that he just let it drain and it wasn't too much of a mess. Jason, did you mean you removed the filter and plug and just let it drain?

Yes, I loosened the filter and let it drain very slowly. I felt around and there's some sort of plastic guide beneath the filter that directs the oil. If you let it drain slowly it doesn't get all over the place. For the plug, the oil just launches out, so you have to position the drain pain properly.

 

[purevw]

A little known brand known as Honda calls for an oil change at 7500 miles on my car and a new oil filter at 15,000 miles -- every other oil change.

It never hurts to follow the Owner's manual even though we know it was written by idiots and 3,000 mile oil changes are necessary. Expedition 3.5EB oil and filter change schedule is 10,000 miles or 12 months. Still wondering what the issue is with changing the filter at 10,000 even if the oil was unnecessarily changed before then. Changing pure synthetic is probably not necessary even at 10,000 miles according to my oil analysis and the oil is certainly fine after 12 months and less mileage. (But I change the oil and filter annually -- much less than 10,000 miles normally -- to get rid of the nagging dash "warning.")

Since we're no longer using vegetable oil for motor oil it doesn't go bad in a year or two. Mileage and abuse are something different.

-- Chuck

Please keep in mind that the companies recommending long oil change intervals are the same companies that want you to replace your vehicle every few years. Their goal is to keep you running up to the end of warranty. The question for everyone to think about is: Do I want to buy a new car every time my existing car is almost paid off, and have a car payment every month for the rest of my life? Base your preventative maintenance on your answer. I knew an old rancher that bragged about never changing his oil in his mid 90s Suburban. When his engine cratered at 65,000 miles because of owner abuse, everyone at the coffee shop compared the cost of 10 oil changes (6500 miles per change) to the cost of his brand new crate engine installed by the GM dealer. He started drinking coffee somewhere else the next day. He was hot under the collar to an extreme. The old commercial is true. You can pay me now, or pay me later. Later is always far more expensive. No one saves money by skimping.

 

[mbtech2003]

Who ever uses a Fram filter should be shot on sight. The last two I looked at. Had rust on the inside. Brand new. No thanks. Henghts oil filter or Mann for me. Or factory. And change the filter every oil change. At 5k miles. Don’t be lazy.

 

[vicra]

Yeah, spend over 40k+ on a vehicle and then skimp on an oil filter that’s difficult to change. If you don’t want to do it yourself, then don’t. Take it in and have someone else do it, but DO IT !!!!!!!!

 

[robertcope]

I would follow the oil life monitor, personally. On my truck, that's every 7500 miles. 5000 miles is very conservative with modern oil.

 

[Trainmaster]

I am 75 yrs old, and a retired engineer. One thing I learned in life is: anytime you take a shortcut to save time or money is going to come back later and bite you in the ass.

Or as we used to say,
"Economics don't overide the laws of physics"

 

[KenK]

I change my oil & filter with synthetic every 5K to be on the safe side.

Am hoping that more frequent changes might prevent rattling cam phasers and turbo seal failures.
My thought is the oil probably doesn't break down that early but dirty oil is likely the culprit for those type of problems. So far so good but time will tell.

I also installed a catch-can which has about 3/4 inch of what appears to be oil thinned with gasoline in it at each oil change. Perhaps it is controversial if this is needed, but after seeing what comes out of it, I think it is good insurance against wear and drivability issues.

What else do you all do for regular/preventative maintenance?

 

[GlennSullivan]

I change my oil & filter with synthetic every 5K to be on the safe side.

Am hoping that more frequent changes might prevent rattling cam phasers and turbo seal failures.
My thought is the oil probably doesn't break down that early but dirty oil is likely the culprit for those type of problems. So far so good but time will tell.

I also installed a catch-can which has about 3/4 inch of what appears to be oil thinned with gasoline in it at each oil change. Perhaps it is controversial if this is needed, but after seeing what comes out of it, I think it is good insurance against wear and drivability issues.

What else do you all do for regular/preventative maintenance?

My 4000 mile (3500 to 4500) oil and filter changes also include the following:
Rotate the tires in X pattern, Check tire pressure and reset TPS for new positions.
Look at rotors and remaining brake pad material when wheels are off.
Check and top off all other fluid levels.
Clean, tighten and coat battery terminals and cable connections.
Look over belt and hoses to see if all ok.
Check and lube suspension bushings if needed.
Check and lube power running board mechanisms.
Check front and rear wipers, replace if needed.
General look around underneath for leaking shocks, loose bolts, exhaust system issues, etc.
Document what was done in vehicle maintenance book.

 

[Andy B]

I have an eco boost and believe I’m changing the oil ever 5k miles. I use good synthetic, and have an oil extractor. I’m thinking I could let the oil filter go 10k miles and swap the oil every 5k miles. Oil is easy to swap, the oil filter, not so much. Thoughts?

If you pump the oil out instead of using the drain plug you could be leaving more sludge in the bottom of the pan.

Why change more often and then do that?