What is the optimal oil change interval?

[bb37]

When you are thanking the Ford engineers for their brilliant logic of specifying 10,000 mile oil change intervals, ask them if "reduced maintenance costs" or "low hydrocarbon usage" were more of a factor in their decision than "increased reliability".

Since we all feel confident that "increased fuel economy" is a factor in the decision to run light-weight oil in modern engines, I think it's safe to say that "increased reliability" is not always the primary factor in engineering decisions.

 

[Mr Big]

Open the radiator cap to increase flow, or the overflow tank if you have no cap. Draining just the radiator will net about 50% of the coolant, depending how you park. If the front of your vehicle is downhill, you will get some coolant from your engine too.

I open the tank cap, open the petcock drain plug and let it drain for about 20 minutes. Then I apply low air pressure through the overflow tank, for about 10 to 15 minutes, which starts the flow again. Once it stops, I tighten the petcock and fill. I drive around a bit to get trapped air out and add more coolant. Doing it this way gets close to 10qts of coolant out.

 

[Fastcar]

I grew up in the dark ages when we changed the oil on our family cars like clockwork every 3500 miles.

But in this modern era, with synthetic oils and automated oil quality monitoring, what is the best interval?

Should we wait until the engine oil monitor says 5-10% oil life remaining, or should we stick to a time-based (say, every 6 months?) interval?

We have a 2023 Timberline that is driven very low mileage.

We now have the oil changed at the dealer who uses a synthetic blend oil.

As always, thanks!

I grew up in the really dark ages then I remember when it was every 5,000 miles. Then along came the Speedy Oil change or Quick Change. Anyway that's when it went to 3,000 miles. Penske had to make money!

 

[lobsenza]

Any thoughts on 0w-30 vs 5w-30 full synthetic? The Navigator owner's manual says either is fine. I would like to switch to 0w-30 because my other vehicle requires 0w-30 and I would prefer to use 1 type of oil for all of my vehicles, if possible. Is there any disadvantage of using 0w-30 full synthetic?

 

[SyndicateZ]

Any thoughts on 0w-30 vs 5w-30 full synthetic? The Navigator owner's manual says either is fine. I would like to switch to 0w-30 because my other vehicle requires 0w-30 and I would prefer to use 1 type of oil for all of my vehicles, if possible. Is there any disadvantage of using 0w-30 full synthetic?

I believe the 5w-30 Full synthetic protects the engine internals better. Better lubrications and wear prevention.
The 0w-30 improves fuel emissions but lesser engine internals protection.

So, depends what you would prefer.

Id stick with the 5w-30 full synthetic if u want to prevent engine internal wear

 

[Mr Big]

Any thoughts on 0w-30 vs 5w-30 full synthetic? The Navigator owner's manual says either is fine. I would like to switch to 0w-30 because my other vehicle requires 0w-30 and I would prefer to use 1 type of oil for all of my vehicles, if possible. Is there any disadvantage of using 0w-30 full synthetic?

The 0 part of the 0w-30 is the cold viscosity. It makes for easier starts at really cold temperatures. Once the engine reaches optimum temperature, it becomes 30w oil. 0w-30 is fine in the cooler months. 5w-20 works well too. But they say it's best to use 5w-30 for hotter climates and seasons. The oil is a little thicker and helps lubricate a wee bit better than 5w-20. There has always been an argument between using 5w-20 and 5w-30.
I use 5w-20 more often, because my engine and transmission temps are lower. But I also change my oil more often.

 

[fordperfaddict]

ive gone about 6-10K on my 19 raptor with 105K miles and had 0 issues for what its worth. lots of highway miles and also really hard offroading on that truck. same motor as these essentially.
i used mobil 1 full synthetic. ive had an oil analysis done at about 60 k at the 8K interval. Analysis said things looked food and i could have gone another couple thousand miles.