Hatchman

For those that don't want to use ramps, I use what I call a "Redneck Ramp". It is basically 4 wood boards, 2" X 12" and 5 feet long. I stack two boards in front of each front tire, and staggering the top one back about 6 to 8 inches, so the car only has to roll up one 2" step at a time, which is no problem. This only gets the car about 4 inches off the ground, but makes it much easier on oil changes, and much easier to drive on and off of than my huge yellow car ramps that jack it up over a foot off the ground. I'll take pics my next oil change.

97svtgoin05gt

There is no WAY I would wait for 5K on the initial change. 1,500 or below for the first, and I do every 3,000 after that for the life of the car. My Mustangs in the past have been known to burn just a little oil because of low friction rings etc. If you're going to wait for 5,000 mile changes, you should monitor the level just to be sure.

I have also never used synthetic, but with religious 3k changes, I've never run into any issue with conventionals.