Well finally switched oils. I use to run Castrol in ALL my cars and trucks. Well decided to go and get some Motocraft Full synthetic 5w-20 since it was only a few bucks more than and other blend of oil. Any how, how many miles are you going between oil changes that run full synthetic? Another question not related but I want to change out my coolant but I cant seem to find a drain plug, any ideas where and if there is one?

 

Synthetic is what everyone should run on newer cars, IMHO. I'm using this oil, and I'm currently at 12,500 miles on this interval.

The coolant drain should be a little plastic plug on the lower corner on your radiator... unless you want to drain the block as well?

 

WOW 12k miles? Thats nuts.

 

I should drain the block also. My plans are to get all the nasty coolant in there out and fill with water and drain 1-2 times then fill with 50/50 mix. The coolant in there now is pretty gross and needs changed before my trip this weekend out to central PA

 

I'm calling shenanigans. I sure hope you're at least changing your Filter more often than that. I don't have an issue with not changing your oil but to 12k miles with no filter change or Oil testing procedure would be ignorant.

What's your process?

 

Honestly... I just stopped caring. As with any online oil discussion, it all boils down to the fact that I'm driving a common mass-produced vehicle, and almost any oil I can buy will do just fine.

I used to change oil and filters every 3-5K for the past 35,000 miles, but I got tired of paying for oil and filters. No, I won't have an analysis done, and yep... I'm gonna wait until I hit 15,000 miles on my interval before I change. I'm also using the matching Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter.

I have every confidence that this old motor will hold together in the long haul.

 

Nope! 3,000 miles on an oil change is nuts!

With synthetic fluids today and as clean as modular motors run, this should be the unquestionable normal standard. Tons of oil analysis out there to prove it. You guys stuck on the 3,000 mile oil change thinking it's cheap insurance and every other excuse is ignorant. Same for filters! Synthetic media filters will go the distance of the oil change.

I do 10,000 or once a year; which normally for me ends up being about the same. I'd go to 15,000 without batting an eye if I did it inside a year.

 

I agree, but I wouldn't go as far as saying one side or the other is ignorant. It really is just up to the operator and how they drive.

I can cover 15,000 in 10-11 months because of school. It just seems like a waste to be throwing out $60 in oil and filters before the additive package even wears out.

 

You must have not read what I wrote. I don't care that he goes so long, I care that he may not be changing his filter, monitoring his engine contaminates (Metal shavings), the additive break down or changing out the filter. The filter being the weakest link here.

It's more than just the "oil" that you have to worry about.


In the end, if that's what you want to do it doesn't both me.

 

I was thinking maybe 5-8k intervals. Never would have thought about going to 15k. I do know people that take theres to 10k on full synthetic. I never used full synthetic in my cars and or trucks. I use them in my wheeler and dirtbike but thats a little different. There is less oil in those machines I.E my dirtbike holds just about a qrt of oil and that has always seen amsoil but with less oil it gets changed 5hrs of ride time, I wont go any further than that even know it is synthetic. Rebuilding a 450 4stroke isnt cheap.

 

I'm not going to say one way or another but my outcome has been a change every 5 to 6k of 5w20 MC blend with the 820s MC filter.
The oil was very inexpensive for most of that time but now the cost has gone up but not going to change the procedure with the results I've gotten.
The motor is perfect and quiet as new with full power as I originally got the truck at 33000.
It now has 191k miles on the 4.6L.
Hot oil pressure is 25 psi idle and 50-55 normal road running, meeting specs of a new motor.
Has pulled gross combined weight over 12000 for several years in hot temps of summer on the same oil.
I would feel that full syn is not really needed if the change intervals along with the filter are reasonable.
Running long intervals, from contamination and breakdown point of view is not the best for long motor life.
This last change I went to 5w30. The results is over 70 psi cold start and 5 to 8 psi higher pressures hot running.
Next change will return to 5w20 because that increase in pressure is of no benefit but possibly stressing the cam chain tensioner guides excessively plus some small loss of fuel mileage from the pumping losses.
One way to access oil change interval is to look at the oil color on the dip stick when hot. When it begins to get color then full black it's time to consider change no matter the mileage. It's all motor dependent.
The oil is formulated to hold carbon and contaminates in suspension but you have no way to know how much or how long in and any given motor condition, or driving conditions that varies over the year.
I have been using this observation and believe it has attained the motor conditions I have and expect to go another 50k + before the rest of the truck gets a bit rustic.
I hate giving the truck up running so well for so long.
Good luck.

 

I bought mine used at 55k so I don't know the original maintenance history, but since I've had it I've used Mobil 1 EP 5w20 and a Mobil 1 filter - and I change it around 10 to 12k. I have 168k on it now and no oil-related issues. What I do is put 6 quarts in, which puts it about halfway up the hashmarks. When it drops below the ADD line, I add a quart. When it drops to the ADD line again, I change it. The oil consumption has not increased one bit since I've had it.

If you are running Motorcraft oil and filter, I'd recommend 7500 mile changes.

 

I didn't say that. I was saying using excuses that have no foundation (e.g. because my dad did it that way) is ignorant (or at least that's what I was attempting to say). Anyone making an educated decision, I support. However, almost nothing these days supports a 3,000 mile oil change; but I know that wasn't the topic here so not trying to start anything. Could have worded it better, yes.

Wow Bluegrass, really surprised to hear something like that from you. Oil appearance gives no indication of its state.

I did read what you wrote; hense my comment about filters...

A good quality filter will go the life of the oil...including high mileage (which is ironic I said that because 10,000 is not high mileage.

But hey, this just another friendly oil discussion anyways so no harm-no foul! Any oil conversation that doesn't include an oil analysis is nothing but jibber jabber and unfounded personal opinion...which is fine. We all get along in the end!

 

oh no.....oil discussions spark some crazy *** arguments on here....standing by!...lol

 

I do 5K mile oil changes using Motorcraft 5w-20 and Motorcraft filters. I figure this is good insurance.

DirtySCREW