break in oil
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Member
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: nj
break in oil
I recently purchase a 2004 F150 with 4.6.The owner manual says oil changes every 5,000 miles.I aways thought on a new motor you had break in oil that had to be changed within first 500 miles.I called the dealer and all they say is every 3,000 miles.Please advise
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Oregon City OR
Domestic Ford vehicles are filled at the factory with 5W-30 Motorcraft semi-synthetic oil, i.e. no 'break in' oil.
As a matter of personal choice, many owners will change oil/filter at the first 500-1000 miles to rid the oil/filter of metal particles and, perhaps, repeat the process at Mile 3000 before starting the 5000 mile interval cycle.
As a matter of personal choice, many owners will change oil/filter at the first 500-1000 miles to rid the oil/filter of metal particles and, perhaps, repeat the process at Mile 3000 before starting the 5000 mile interval cycle.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,804
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From: Wisconsin
Pro,
engine manufacturer tolerances are much tigher, and the pices fit togehter better and don't result in as much break-in metal as they used to. Changing oil at 500 mile is not necessary unless you wil sleep better if you do. There will still be some metal chips in the oil which you can see if you place the oil pan outside in sunlight. I think most common is 1000 to 1500.
More important is to take it out for a good hour drive through city stop and go traffic for the first hour after you drive it off the dealer's lot. Don't baby it, accelerate firmly to seat the rings.
engine manufacturer tolerances are much tigher, and the pices fit togehter better and don't result in as much break-in metal as they used to. Changing oil at 500 mile is not necessary unless you wil sleep better if you do. There will still be some metal chips in the oil which you can see if you place the oil pan outside in sunlight. I think most common is 1000 to 1500.
More important is to take it out for a good hour drive through city stop and go traffic for the first hour after you drive it off the dealer's lot. Don't baby it, accelerate firmly to seat the rings.
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Joined: Dec 1969
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From: Boiling Springs, PA
It has always amazed me of the many opinions for oil changes. Like all of you, I always changed my oil at 3000 miles for my Ford vans, f150's, mustangs, sho, etc. With the advent of synthetic oil and talking to lots of people (from engineers to the shadetree mechanic like me), the consensus was that you could easily go 6-9000 between oil changes depending on your driving environment. The more stop and go city driving you did the more frequent the oil change. And so, I have changed the oil in my '01Saleen Mustang, '94 SHO, '98 F150 (5.4) at 6000 miles intervals with Mobil 1 and a Motorcraft oil filter. No problems. I have ordered my '04 Lariat and will do the same with it. It is interesting to note that my wife's '03 BMW 330xi, filled with BMW's version of synthetic oil, and warranted for 7 years or 75000 miles (I bought the extra warrantee), calls for oil changes every 15000 miles! So now confusion reigns. Who is right and who is "semi-right?" By the way, I ride a Harley Davidson Road King and have changed the oil and filter every 2500 miles with HD's mineral oil; they just came out with full synthetic oil with their name on it and state that you still need to change it every 2500 miles (of course the cost is 3x the "old stuff.") You have got to laugh or else you would cry.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,804
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From: Wisconsin
Dr Mike, I agree, it does get confusing. A good rule of thumb is not to go beyond a year regardless of miles. Short trips are still hard on even the best oil in any engine. HD does not make oil, but the HD oil cans sure looks good on the shelf above your bike.