JGedney

I purchased a 2008 Mustang GT in November of 07. I am am working in Iraq and my wife predominately drives our F-150. The car has been driven by myself while home on vacation and also by my wife at least a few times a month. However, the car has just over 2,000 miles so far.

I will be going home in late Sep for vacation and then not again until after Christmas. Oh, and like most marriages, I do all of the vehicle maintance. I have heard that a car must have an oil change at least one a year (something to do with the seasons and too many hot-cold weather cycles for the oil).

So, my question is this:

Do I change the oil in late Sep while I am home, even though it will have less than 3,000 miles (but will be almost a year old)

or

Do I wait until January (or some mileage mark) and change it then?


Thanks much for the information!!!

Jason from Iraq

JGedney

Also, here are a few more questions:

I usually add 1qt of Lucas Oil. Can I do this on the first change or should I wait one?

Can I go right to Synthetic, or is it too early?

Do brands or types of oil filters really matter (K&N, Fram, etc)?

Does Royal Purple make much of a difference over Castrol Synthetic Blend (my usual favorite)?

travelers

I would use the Fords oil now and then the next oil change go with syn. and change it in sep.

JGedney

So, you DO think that I should change it in Sep, but use Motorcraft oil as was put in when built?

Thanks for the advice!

goldenpony

If you've got 2K miles on it now, if it were me, I'd go ahead and go to 100% synthetic along with a Motorcraft filter. I think Amsoil is tops, but as far as off the shelf oils, I don't think you can go wrong with Pennzoil synthetic or Mobil 1.

Arrow

Not to sound callous, but if you're concerned about it...change it. What's it gonna hurt? And it's not like it's all that expensive to do.

BudgetPlan1

Make sure you get a good, *sturdy* oil filter wrench to get the factory-installed oil filter off. I think Hercules puts those things on at the factory.

nm3

I bought mine in Nov 07 and currently have 1800. I changed the oil/filter at 1500 miles with a Motorcraft filter and 6qts of Motorcraft 5-20 oil. I will also switch to Amsoil synthetic at some time, but I felt at 1500 miles it was too soon.... Personally, if you're not going to use a Motorcraft filter, I would use a good quality filter. IMO, I do not consider Fram to be in that group.

krnpimpsta

I changed my oil at 700 miles (right after breakin period to clean out any metal shavings in the oil from new metal parts rubbing against each other for the first time). Then again at 2500 to be safe. And then every 2500-3000 miles since then.. but then again I drive my car pretty hard so I feel it's necessary.

I say you should change your oil ASAP with the factory blend and then every 3k-5k miles, depending on how hard you drive it.

Thought experment:
* let's say a "nice" driver has an average rpm of 1.5k throughout the running life of an engine.
* let's say a hard driver has an average rpm of 3k throughout the running life of an engine.
A hard driver that has driven 1,000 miles at an average of 3k rpm has put their engine through TWICE as many revolutions as a nice driver who has driven the same 1,000 miles. Not only has every piston, rod, etc. moved up and down TWICE as many times in the same distance, the oil has been exposed to alot more heat/stress/etc.

So 3,000 miles driven hard is the same for the engine as 6,000 miles driven easy. (I'm not a mechanical engineer so feel free to counter that if anyone is convinced this is coming straight from my @ss, which I don't deny)

I plan to change my oil every 2500-3000 miles for the life of my car. Depending on your driving style I think you should find an interval between 2500 and the "factory recommended" 5000.

lutador83

What do you guys think of the Synthetic Oil offered at the dealer? I know that at my dealer, it's not Mobil 1 or anything of the like. I purchased my car in May and it just hit 4,000 miles. I had them change the oil at 3,500 miles and just changed it to the regular oil. I am thinking about going to Synthetic at 7,000 miles. What do you all think?