My truck is 6 months old and has 3700 miles. Should I get the oil changed before our 2000 mile trip?

 

I would. Some will tell you to wait till the recommended mileage, but on the first change, I did mine at 3,000. Might not be necessary, but I have 88,000 miles and does not use oil.

 

Doesn't anyone read their manual or trust the engineers who designed their engine?

 

Sure, I read it. What is your point?

 

Not trying to start an 'oil change war' -
but the manual states 7500 miles for the first and following oil changes - so why do people keep asking when to change their oil?

I've seen quite a few posts on this subject, and recommendations anywhere from every 3K and up -
Maybe it's more of a 'feel good' thing to change you oil sooner than the manual states, but I tend to trust the engineers who recommend what is in the manual.

 

I use a synthetic and change every 8-10k miles depending on how hard I've been working the engine.

If you don't plan on using synthetic, I would just do what the manual recommends. Engines today are built with tighter tolerances than the engines of 50 years ago when the 3k intervals were recommended by manufacturers. Engine lubrication technology is also more advanced than fifty years ago.

 

i agree with blue jay if it was my new truck with 3700 miles on it and taking a 2000 mile trip i would change its also because it sure not going to hurt anything i would rather error on the side of caution and peace of mind

 

If it was my truck, I would be changing it before the trip! I change my oil every 3-4K miles & always will! The 5.4 3v runs smooth & quiet!

 

Oil changes are cheap. Every 3 months or 3k miles.

 

I'm maybe old school, but I know oil is cheap compared to a new engine. I have always on every motor I had, broke it in by changing the oil before the half way mark of what the manufaturer says. Get the break in metals out, then start your somewhat regular intervals. I change my oil always a bit earlier than ever later. I have been actually thinking of changing mine at 1500-2000 miles, then going to a 3500 to 4000 mile interval, Again, oil is cheap. This is my opinion. Now as far as synthetic? I have best luck by running regular oil for the first few oil changes, then going to a synthetic. I'm somewhat opinionated that the seals have to set first before going to then synthetics.

 

You are throwing your money down the drain and the oil companies thank you very much. After all it is them, the OIL COMPANIES who recommend the out-dated 3/3000 intervals.

 

This topic comes up too often. Ford recommends 7500 miles for oil change intervals for the '09s. If you are driving outside 'normal' conditions, then it's probably a good idea to shorten the mileage interval. Likewise, if it makes you sleep well at night, change the motor oil at any interval less than 7500 miles. Every 3000 miles does the job. So does every 300 miles.

 

It may be more of a feel good thing. I know it made me feel much better. We have a lot of dust and sand in the air here and I don't go the recommended mileage, ever. I change mine at around 4000. he was asking opinion and what others do. No war, just stating what I like to do. If you're comfortable going to 7500, that's great and it is probably good till then.

 

Mine is 3 months old, almost identical mileage and big trip coming up. I was thinking of changing it before the trip. After that I'll go the recommended interval which is what I've been doing for the past 10 years without a problem. Other than our 140K mile Taurus, we tend to get bored and trade them long before they start to wear out. And even it ran great--just needed a number of other repairs that made keeping it uneconomical.

BTW, the 5W20 is a semi-synthetic, at least the Motorcraft you buy at the store is. One would assume that if that's what Ford recommends for oil, that's what they are putting in at the factory. Wal-Mart carries it for $12.50 for a 5qt jug.

 

I agree with the conditions you have (a lot of dust/sand), that it is in fact prudent to make the change earlier as you do.