dswhalen

Several people saying to do the first oil change in 1000 miles or less. I've heard that Ford puts some additives that assist in the break-in and it shouldn't be taken out too soon. I've even heard that it is good to go to 5000 miles with the original oil in it.

What is the correct answer? I bet Ford says it is uneccesary to change it earlier than recommended.

Jeffs05GT

Sounds like BS to me, I changed mine at 1,000 miles and had no problem. If ford put special additives in the vehicle they would specifically tell you not to change it.

Im sure you can go 5,000 miles with the original oil, but why would you want too? I changed mine at 1,000 and again at 4,500.

outdoorstom

I'm sure changing mine at 200 miles wasn't completely necessary, but what can it hurt? The oil was surprisingly black. I expected it to be discolored, but not black. Ford definitely doesn't put any special additives in the oil to assist the break in. If they did, they wouldn't keep it a secret?

As far as waiting until 5000 miles, why would someone want to abuse their engine like that? That could lead to shorter engine life.

Just my 2 cents.

psychen6

Everyone will have a different opinion that, for them, will be the "right" answer.
The manual has some instructions directly from Ford.
I'd say that you ned to either follow the manual (which is the official answer) or settle for an opinion.

EleanorsMine

Did first at 3,000.
Now change every 5,000.

jglnaz

Hello.

I changed my oil at about 1500 miles and added a 5w-30 semi-synthetic oil and new oil filter. I noticed that the oil filter I took off was packed solid with debris. I would not wait much longer then my mileage to change the oil if using my really dirty filter as a guide.

In the past I had changed oil in a pair of cars my family bought new at 900 miles and 2000. Oil changes after that at about every 3000 miles or less. Used synthetic once it was sold in the stores. One of the cars is still going strong 21 years later. The other lasted until 239,000 miles and was turned in because the transmission started to slip for the first time. (front drive car where I changed the tranny fluid every 15,000 miles) The motor was still in excellent shape. My mechanic did a compression test and all the cylinders were working fine. No sludge buildup in the oil pan or valve covers.

I never added anything into the oil, used a new filter at each change, and checked the oil level at each gas stop.

Hope this helps.

gotmy05

500 first then every 2500
That reminds me I'm due for my 5000mi

sodaman

1000 miles, then 5000, then 10000, etc. Unless you are finding that your oil is well blackened etc before 5000. But these newer engines definitely do better than the old, better tolerances etc of parts, more design and testing into them. So for that first one, sure do it early just to make sure to get out any medal from breakin. Then I would probably stick with ford recommended intervals unless oil becomes dirty before the 5000 mark. Good luck.

mmoonshot

Change it at 500 mi, then again at 1500mi, again at 3000mi, again at 5000mi, then make the switch to mobil 1 synthetic, then every 5k after..IMO>>>

CelticNut

Hey Dave, great question. I recently attended a New Car Owners Clinic at my dealership, where a few technicians answered very specific questions about oil and how often it should be changed.

They said that Ford puts a semi-synthetic oil in the crankcase at the factory and that it is okay to put 5,000 miles on it before changing. They said that you shouldn't put whole synthetic oil in it right away because it is literally too slick! Something about the rings not seating correctly during break-in. However, they said that you could add it during your first oil change at 5,000 miles. Thereafter, they recommend that you stay with synthetic oil for the life of the car. They also said that you shouldn't switch back and forth between ordinary and synthetic oil.

Hope this information is useful.

Dusty1

So, does Mobil 1 now have 5w-20? When I bought my F150 last year, it wasn't available, and I've been using the Motorcraft synthetic blend (12K on the truck now) every 3k.

I've only used Mobile 1 in my '91 Ranger, and with a little over 100k on it now, it still runs like a champ.

CelticNut

I'll get an answer to that question when I go up to my dealer today. I'm going to see about having them install my XM Commander today...

Will post more specifics later tonight.

94tbird

i changed at 2800 only cause i was in the middle of a road trip. i also changed at 4500. one more chanhge at aprox 6500 and it will be mobil 1 synthetic time.

dekujala

I asked my dealer when I took it in to get the gas tank changed, they said you don't have to do it at 1000, they told me that you used to because they used to start with a special break in oil, but now adays cars do not. it has a 50/50 blend from the factory. The manual says every 5000 miles, but I will probably wind up doing it sooner myself.

05windveilbluegt

[quote=Dusty1,May 23, 2005, 7:34 AM]
So, does Mobil 1 now have 5w-20? When I bought my F150 last year, it wasn't available, and I've been using the Motorcraft synthetic blend (12K on the truck now) every 3k.

Mobile 5w-20 full synthetic is available at autozone. I picked some up last week and put it in the stang at the 2500 mile mark. i can feel the difference
The engine idle speed drops below 1,000 alot quicker now and it revs smoother as well.

RMac

I got my first oil change at around 1500 miles.

I then put the 5w20 Mobil 1 in last week (at 4500 miles), and am definitely noticing a difference.

From this point on, I'll likely change it every 4500-5000 miles.

FRITZ

I'm going to do my first one @ 1,000mi. In my Lightning i had a heck of time getting undernith it (and i'm a skinny guy). How tuff is it to crawl under these things?, i don't want to use ramps.

Fritz, Silver "05" GT Coupe IUP and everything.

JZInternet

I don't want to use ramps either. Although I have them. I'm skinny myself so if I can't crawl under there to change it I'll probably use a jack.

Either that or I'll have to dig a pit out in the yard.

CelticNut

[quote=05windveilbluegt,May 23, 2005, 10:40 AM]
Absolutely correct! I just got back from the dealership and their Express Lube guy said the very same thing. He even recommended going to Auto Zone to purchase the oil. I'll probably buy a case or two of it myself. (Looks like I'll be working a little overtime this week to offset the added cost...but from what I hear, it's well worth it!)

The tech even said that you could go up to 7,000 miles with the break in oil before making a change, depending on environmental and/or driving factors. Just FYI. I still think I'll change my oil before then. Probably around 5K, as the manual suggests.

Lowe!

[quote=05windveilbluegt,May 23, 2005, 9:40 AM]
I've also seen the Mobile 1 5W-20 at Sam's around here. Picking it up for my next change (around 4,000 miles). Then I'll go 5K+.