I had exactly 5,000 miles. My oil life monitor still said like 60% but I didn't want to go the distance for my first change. Now for my next oil change, should I wait until the oil life monitor tells me to change it? Does it get down to a certain percent and say change now? Are you guys going the full 10,000 miles like Ford recommends?

 

You should never go 10,000 miles between oil changes in my opinion. For optimum performance, 3,000 miles at the most.

 

On my Boss I'm shooting for 5000 which is easy to remember. I did my first at 1200 and my second at 5000, with the next sch. for 10k. If you're going to use 3k an easy way is to do it on the 3's 6's and 9's. 3333, 6666, and 9999. It makes it easy to remember.

 

I do every 3k I don't care what anyone says. I use the 3-6-9 system easy to remember no guessing.

I'm actually going in this wednesday for my first oil change I have 2,800 miles, a little over a year old.

 

If you're changing synthetic every 3,000 miles you're throwing money right into the trash. Many are good for 7.5-10k with filter changes.

 

Yep, I agree. I've done oil sampling with Blackstone Labs and my last oil change, done with 5,000 miles on the oil, showed an estimated oil life of at least 5k more miles. This was using Mobil 1 Full Synthetic.

I just sent off an oil sample to Blackstone Labs with 5k on the last oil change. I used Mobil 1 again. I suspect that the only recommendation will be to change the filter and top off the oil. Still, I just can't bring myself to go further than 7500 miles on it. Even if it does test 100% fine.

You would be hugely surprised at the intervals with which we changed the oil in our T701C engines on the Blackhawk. Oil sampling would determine if the oil needed changing or not. Same for all the gearboxes. And I will guarantee you that the oil used in those components isn't much better than high quality oil available to us today for use in our cars.

 

But what about Motorcraft synthetic blend? Has anyone sent that off for testing yet?

 

I haven't. But I'd be willing to bet it lasts a good 7500 miles at least with a filter change at 3500 or so.

 

Not really worried about it. I drive the crap out of all my vehicles and want the oil performing its best at all times. I'll stick with my 3k intervals.

 

Just change it when the ticking starts... Just kidding... Not really... But seriously