Hey guys, I have a 2005 F150 that is about to turn 3000 miles which is my customary oil change time. The guys at the dealer told me to go 5000 miles between changes but that seems a little long for my comfort! When do you guys change your oil?

 

You're going to get a very wide variety of answers to this question. The owner's manual says 5000 so that's what I do.

 

I would change your first oil change early, since it was during the break-in period. It's only $21.00 bucks and the dealer, so change it now.

Then go with 5,000 mile changes after that with Motorcraft 5W/20.

 

Yeah -- answers are going to be all over the board on this one.

For new vehicles, I generally do my first oil change at 500 actual miles, another at 1500 actual miles, and then one last time at 3000 actual miles. Then I stick with 3000 mile oil change intervals from that point forward.

If I were you, I would get your ride in right now and get your oil changed -- I think 5000 miles is just too long to wait for a first oil change!

 

It depends on where you live. The manual says 5000 miles because conditions in Detroit aren't what they are in the Southern US. I change mine every 3K miles, period. If you tow on a regular basis, live in a hotter climate, go off-road much, etc.... you should change your oil & filter more often that what the manual recommends.

 

I do the 3,000 mile thing with Motorcraft 5W 20 and a FL-820S filter, it makes me feel good

 

3000 miles for me. Even though is might seem too excessive, whenever I reach 200K miles, my engine will still run like it came off the showroom floor.
Good luck with whatever ya decide to do.

 

All oil manufacturer's oils are rated up to 8000 miles. Even the cheap 89 cent a quart ones. This is not the reason you should change your oil though.

When an engine is running fuel and burnt fuel gets into the oil and causes a caustic mixture that in effect eats away your motor. In addition small particles of metal from wear will also be suspended in the oil. This can and will cause galling. That is the main reson for an oil filter.

So when to change oil....if you follow the owner's manual you will not go wrong. IMO you can never change oil too frequently though. Always use a quality filter also.

I also agree to do it a little more frequently on a new motor until everytning is seated in. (5,000-10,000 miles)

I personally have never been over 4000 miles between changes, and if I have been using/abusing my truck, it gets changed even faster. Oil is Cheap!

 

wow. that's odd. The manual says 5000, but usually dealers ay 3000 so they can squeeze the extra oil changes ($$$) out of you.

 

The opposite can also be true, since my BMW requires synthetic oil changes at every 15,000 miles!!! Note that BMW has to pay for maintenance for the first few years of ownership, so that may have something to do with it!

I don't wait 15,000 miles to change my oil though; I do it every 7,500 miles and let BMW pick up the tab at 15,000 miles.

 

I just keep adding oil when the red blinking light comes on.

Is that wrong of me?

 

I know people that really do that... otherwise normal folks too.


I cheat on my oil changes, since the dealer wants 56 bucks and doesn't know what they are doing, I change it myself.
Motorcraft oil, K&N oil filter. The filter is rated at 8000 miles, rough usage, the oil is rated at 4000 miles rough usage. So I just drain the oil at 3000, and replace oil and filter at 5000.
The filter reaches peak filtering between 3000 and 6000 miles, according to all tests and manufactures. The oil would last longer, but gets fuel contaminated pretty soon around here. Short hop driving, very fast freeway driving, air intake temps way over 100, cold nights etc.
Chris

 

i change my oil every 10,000 miles

 

oddly enough, the manual says that too.

If you do a lot of highway and don't abuse, you can go that high (at least the Canadian manual has this)
My 98 was the same. I was/am a little surprised Ford would give you this option.

 

I think I'll do the first change at 3000 just to be safe. Are Motorcraft oil filters fine? My dad is a FRAM fan but I don't trust it.