Oil Change

[FoundOnRoadDead]

I just bought a 2002 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition with the 5.4 Triton V8 and 97,000 miles on it. The time has come for an oil change, my first since purchase. The truck is used mainly as a locally driven grocery getter (driven a few miles once a week to the super markets) with highway trips of about 120 miles on the weekend. I live in the southern New England region of the United States. What are the recommendations as far as:

Conventional or synthetic oil?
Brand?
Oil filter?
Change intervals?

I have been using Amsoil in my 2002 Honda Civic, but am considering changing brands for convenience purposes (I purchase the Amsoil through a friend's dad who lives in NY state, it much easier to just go to a local retailer for something else instead).

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

 

[tonydiv]

I've been using Valvoline Maxlife full synthetic since I got my truck and couldn't be happier with the choice.

The maxlife oils are formulated for higher mileage vehicles, and the synthetic part is great for a truck like yours that seems to sit quite a bit. (better cold start protection)

 

[Racenut]

I agree with Tonydiv I also use the Valvoline Maxlife and it works great, the only thing for me is since I have 90 - 100 degree temps for most of the year I like to throw in a bottle of the Lucas Full synthetic additive as well.

 

[FoundOnRoadDead]

Okay, Valvoline Maxlife Full Synthetic, totally forgot about Valvoline with all the Mobil 1 hype. What viscosity do you guys recommend? The truck normally takes 5W-20, so should I go with a 0-20 synthetic? And what filters do you recommend, Motorcraft, Wix, Fram, etc?

Thanks again!

 

[Racenut]

I run the 5w20 with the Lucas additive ( 1 qt ) and either a motorcraft (if on sale) or a regular fram.

I have an afftermarket tripple pillar so I can keep an eye on my trans temp, water temp, and oil pressure with actual numbers and cold startup 90psi @ 800rpm hot is 45-50psi water temp 220 @ 650 - 700rpm ( 100+ outside temp ) and 78 - 80 psi @ 2200rpm doing 80 mph on the interstate.

 

[FoundOnRoadDead]

Thanks for the info Racenut. What does the Lukas additive do?

 

[Racenut]

Thanks for the info Racenut. What does the Lukas additive do?

With the heat down here it seems to help keep the oil from breaking down as quickly ( I change +/- 5000 miles ) It also got rid of the little bit of valve train tap that I used to have at startup. I think it would benifit you as well sense your truck is not a daily driver because the Lucas is a oil stabilizer.

I also use this setup in my wifes '01 Grand prix with the 3.1 and it now has 189K and the only thing I have ever had to do to that car is basic tune up. Not only does the car have 189K on it, but it still gets 36mpg on the interstate @ 80mph and the motor is quiter than most of the newer pontiacs with the famouse valve train tick to them.

 

[ELVATO]

Whatever oil you choose, just use a Motorcraft. They're actually pretty good quality, and and are cheap. They're made by Purolator, so I'd guess a Purolator would work as well. It's actually kinnda cool taking all the different filters that fit the Expy and looking at the inside of them. A lot of them will look the same since most filter are only actually made by a couple of companies.

I know ppl on F150online shun away from any Fram filters because of the start up noise issue.

 

[bring_em_on]

I recently switched to Amsoil 5w-20. I had been using Mobil1 Extended Performance. Recently my cam phasers had to be replaced and when the valve covers were taken off, the insides were as bright and shiny as new (it's a 2005 with 120k on it). The garage also ran a compression test and they said it was like new. Even still, they all recommend Amsoil. Since I don't buy my oil from them, they didn't have anything to gain in it so I made the switch.

Wix filters are a highly recommended filter so I went with them.

My two cents is don't hold back a few dollars on price. We spend thousands of dollars a year on our vehicle. Another ten or fifteen buck every other month is just a drop in the bucket.

Keith