elcaminoguy

THey say the only really stupid question is the one not asked so here she goes...

I'm about to do my "break-in" oil change at 600Miles but noticed that nobody has any service manuals out on the 08 Mustangs yet.

Oil changes aren't rocket science but in a newer car you never know what's being monitored by the PCM.

ANyway, Do I need to reset anything after the oil change and/or is there anything I should know about oil changes on an 08 Gt besides the requisite weight and Ford blessing on the oil and filter??

Thanks in advance for the guidance, it's not that I've never changed my own oil before I just want to be sure I don't miss something.

karman

NO.
Except it is not "break in oil".
They did that back when I started driving, but not today.
I waited until @2000mi.
Changing it early can't hurt anything though.
Oh, check the dipstick after, people seem to have varying results.

poldrv

I changed mine at just under 3000 miles. As Karman indicates there is no "break in oil." For warranty issues it might be advisable to use a Ford oil filter with the change.

ShowGT

Just say no to Fram please.

Lime GT

Some vehicles come with oil change reminder indicators. Reset proceedure should be listed in the drivers owner manual. (You know the one in the glove box most don'r read ).
I don't think any mustang has this feature yet.

StangMahn

Change it at 1000, then 5000, then every 5000. It's all you need, as long as you check the oil and all that, everything will be fine. I dont thnk there's any procedures, but check the manual.

69Mach1-409

The dealership told me 7500 miles till the first service..

I've just changed the oil (500 miles) acouple days ago with M1 Full Syn and a Motorcraft Oil Filter.

*FYI that factory oil filter weighted about 5 lbs and was a MF'r to get off!

frdtch05gt

Yep, a machine torques the filter in place at the factory, it is very difficult to remove. I always had a hard time with Navigators when I worked at a L-M dealer a few years ago, those were the worst.

I'm running Mobil 1 5w20 with Ford filter, car runs great!

05fordgt

Jason, don't think bad at that, as all 2008 model vehicles now have 7,500 mile oil change intervals. They are using the syntetic blend from the factory now, hence the longer span between changes. Check your service manual, it starts at 7,500 and the next is at 15,000.

whs

Do they recommend a shorter interval for harsh driving conditions for example really dusty areas and stop and go driving?

Rapture

I got caught up in the every 3000 mile BS with my 79 Capri turbo RS....Yes it needed it(lovved that car). Mine 83 T-bird was fine. only had it 2 years. My 85 5.0 Elan(loved that car too),. I did every 7500 to 10k for oil changes Sold in 2001 with 210k miles on it for 800 dollars My 93 Tbird I did every 3k and the head gaskets went out My 85 Explorer every 7500 166K when it was stolen. My 2000 Explorer 7500- 12k steal running strong with 169k 07 Mustang every 5k like clockwork

elcaminoguy

Well thanks for all the advice. I'll stick to the severe service plan in the manual which is like 5K. Central AZ like PHX area is considered severe climate because of the excessive heat, dust (just try to keep a car clean for 24 hours outside!) and the gridlock from our underbuilt and overburdened freeways.

I used to do the 3K thing too and ran synthetic in my 96 Camaro, Of course near the end it was losing about a quart on the ground every month anyway so I guess I should've just waited six months and just changed the filter since by then all the oil was new anyway!
I kind of split the difference for the first change. I was at 601.1 miles. I did this change just because it's a new engine and every new or rebuilt engine I ever owned got an oil change around 500. There was a bit of grit in the oil too. Nothing scary but I'm glad I did the change.

That filter was a bear to get off. For one thing the standard 820 filter wrenches don't fit it. I guess the "S" after the 820 (as in 820-S) stands for son of a b****. Anyway I got it off with a strap wrench. No surprises, it wasn't rocket science so I'm happy.

My mom has a 2003 Chevy Avalanche that has this little oil change reminder thing in the information center that will annoy you until the sensor gets reset. It's annoying and I wanted to be prepared just in case the GT had a similar function. Although I don't have the driver info center (no IUP option) so I guess in that case all it would do is flash an idiot light.

Thanks for the replies. I'll be leaning on you guys a bit till I get comfortable with this new world of Ford. Been a "Chebby" guy a long time ya know!
That means I'm used to carrying around enough tools to rebuild my entire powertrain and extra parts "just in case"

red pony

Yes they do . Under normal conditions, every 7500 miles -- but harsh - dusty - or excessive heat or prolonged idling over long periods -- every 5000 miles . Or what I do, no matter what the mileage, when I pull the dip-stick, if I have the SLIGHTEST trouble reading the word " SAFE " on the stick through the oil,it's time to change the oil . ( That tends to be right around 5000 miles
under normal operating conditions ). Check it weekly. Then you will know which catagory your driving conditions are. But NEVER more than 7500 miles between changes ! ! EVER !