oil change

[smo0othride]

I was reading the manual for my 03 5.4L, and it says to change the oil every 5k miles. What happened to the traditional 3k mile oil change? Can somebody explain why Ford recommends 5k instead of 3k? I'm thinking about getting my oil changed before it hits 5k. It just rolled over to 3k a couple days ago.

 

[Shaggy]

As far as I can remember I think it has always been 5k. I think the 3k business started with all the Jiffy Lubes and quick oil chnage spots to generate more business. I occasionally change my oil between 3k and 5k. On my Boxster it was equiped with Mobile 1 and the first oild change was 17K. Yeap thats right 17,000 miles for the first oil change on a Porsche boxster. However, I go by the book and 5k is what is listed for my 03 Expedition and 01 Lincoln LS. I am sure thats fine if Ford says so

 

[smo0othride]

was that on synthetic oil? because I know that last a lot longer.

 

[Guest]

Conventional Oil today will easily last 5000 miles.
3000 miles was in the past.Today oils are improved over the old 3000 mile oils.
I use synthetic and change it twice a year.I only do about 8500 a year on my expedition but I do 12000 on my '02 Grand Prix GT and use synthetic and change it twice a year.

 

[rwinch]

One other way to look at it is.......it won't hurt to change it more often...other than time and money. I do agree with jt, between 3k and 5k is fine. I will go one step further and say that the oil filter should be changed as often as the oil. Some folks skip one or two changes (???). Fram also has a great quick change kit called the SureDrain (Model SD2 for my '98 Exby) that makes changing oil real easy. Try it.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by rwinch
One other way to look at it is.......it won't hurt to change it more often...other than time and money. I do agree with jt, between 3k and 5k is fine. I will go one step further and say that the oil filter should be changed as often as the oil. Some folks skip one or two changes (???). Fram also has a great quick change kit called the SureDrain (Model SD2 for my '98 Exby) that makes changing oil real easy. Try it.

I always change my filter with the oil.
You have the Fram plug I have the Fumoto plug.
Been using Fumoto drain plug for what gotta be 15 years on all my vehicles.
Great item.

 

[66horse]

Its probably more important to chang the filter than the oil. I use synthetic in my 66 bronco and now in the expedition too. Synthetics can easily go over 10,000 miles. Oil filters, I suggest changing at least every 5000 miles.

Also, do not use Fram oil filters, they are crap. Seriously.

 

[smo0othride]

Originally posted by 66horse
Also, do not use Fram oil filters, they are crap. Seriously.

I don't have an opinion on Fram, but I was just wondering what kind you use if you think Fram is crap?

 

[smo0othride]

synthetic

Also, is there anything you have to do to change to synthetic oil besides change the oil and filter? If synthetic is better, why wouldn't Ford make the expedition come with synthetic?

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by smo0othride
I don't have an opinion on Fram, but I was just wondering what kind you use if you think Fram is crap?

http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilters.html

 

[smo0othride]

Originally posted by joe b
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilters.html

Thanks for the info... it's good to have an explanation of why they're not good, rather then just somebody saying it.

 

[rwinch]

Guess I'll change now...soooo much to choose from...hummmm

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by smo0othride
Thanks for the info... it's good to have an explanation of why they're not good, rather then just somebody saying it.

My pleasure.

 

[66horse]

Originally posted by joe b
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilters.html

Thanks for posting that link. When I posted the other day, I didn't have time look it up.

Also, here is a good article on sythetic oils.

Synthetic Oils

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by 66horse
Thanks for posting that link. When I posted the other day, I didn't have time look it up.

Also, here is a good article on sythetic oils.

Synthetic Oils

Interesting info.
Thanks!

 

[DAMN_FORD]

The main reason to change your oil is to clean your engine. The oil contains fine wear particles that the filter doesn't pick up. Changing the oil gets rid of these particles, sludge and other harmful engine contaminates. The integrety of the oil outlasts its cleanliness. I change the oil when it starts to get black. This has been happening from 3-4k miles.

I use full synthetic because it reduces the time to get full oil pressure on start up. That's where most of the engine wear occurs. This is especially critical in colder climates.

Stock Ford Expedition oil (5W-20) is a synthetic blend.

Make sure your oil filter has the silicone valve that prevents drain back. Motorcraft oil filters have this. Walmart sells them and they are cheap.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[BikeRider]

I'm much younger than most (20's) and only remember the 5k or 6k being printed in the owner's manuals. I just read all 3 of my cars manuals and they are all in that range, with the only exception being in "dusty conditions or frequent towing at 3K". I think the 3k is a ploy by the oil companies to increase business.

 

[bnvus]

The 3K oil change primarily pertains to fleet or what they call "rough service". Rough service is defined as stop and start driving in city traffic.
Oils have a tendancy of taking on minute traces of water from condensation and this breaks the oil down into acids that can be harmful to the engine.
I have rebuilt many a motor and I will swear by synthetics. You can immediatly tell if someone ran a synthetic oil through the life of their motor vs. traditional oils. The internals look as if they are brand new and not all brown.
Ask any engine builder and they will tell you. Use synthetic oil early on and it will extend the life of your motor.
A word of warning though. Use synthetic oil EARLY. This will help "season your seals in the engine. If you wait to long then the tendancy for leaks are more possible. This is due to the seals drying and synthetics having better lubricity. TIFWIW.

 

[Guest]

Today's oils are far superior to the older oils and can easily deal with 5000 mile changes.
3000 miles is nothing on todays oil.
That being said I still like using synthetic oil and I change it twice a year.I only do 8500 miles a year but still would do the same change interval even at 12000 or more a year with synthetic oil.