How many miles did you put on your truck before your first oil change? My dealer said bring back for a free oil change at 7500 miles.
Seems like a lot to me! I've got about 800 on it right now!

 

Oh lord! Here we go again!

It all depends - if you changed the summer air in your tires for winter air, then you can go longer between oil changes.

 

^
l
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what he's trying to say is use the search engine. Lots of posts on this subject.

But in any event, ford tech's say up to 7500miles/6months between changes on their ford motorcraft semi-synthetic 5w20 brand, along with the motorcraft oil filter. So depending on how much you beat up your truck i would stick to that. Some are doing 3k or 5k with it, again depending how the truck is driven.

 

Are you kidding me?

Read the manual.

 

Mine just had its first change at 5,000. I change everything at 5,000 because its easy for me to remember on all vehicles 5,10,15,20 etc.

 

If I had a dollar for every time this stupid question is asked, I'd own Ford.

 

For the first oil change I'd suggest doing it at 1500 miles. There's a lot of junk left in the engine from the milling process and while the filter should catch it, it's better out of the engine. Despite what some may think, oil filters do not filter at 100% single pass and the crap can be flowing thru the engine. The oils of today don't have the same amount of additives, better known as formulation, and there isn't much there for the engine to "plate up" with those anti friction, anti wear, high pressure additives. That's why I suggest to change the first time early. There after, the Tritons can go easily 5000 miles and with a decent driver, 7500 miles is not out of reason. I am now at 7500 miles on Pennzoil yellow bottle and on Motorcraft 5w-20 oils with my 4.6. Pick a brand you like and make sure it has the Ford certification on the bottle and change no sooner than 5000 miles and at 7500 with analysis to trend the oil.

 

Thank you Labnerd. That makes perfect since. I looked at some of the other threads on this subject. Seems like a lot of different ideas on when to change for the first time. But what you said and the reason behind it, sounds good to me! Have a good one!

 

Oil change time frame seems to be a very personal decision. I still believe in the old 3months or 3000 miles. It has never failed me as I have never had a motor issue. To me it is cheap insurance. Oil does more that lubricate you engine as it also picks up emission crap. When I purchase a NEW vehicle, my first oil change is always around 1500 miles, then 3000 miles and back to the 3 and 3. Overkill, maybe...... but it works for me.......... my 2cents.

 

The manual is very vague about engine break in... It says that the engine does not require an "extensive" break in period. Who knows what they mean by extensive. They then say not to tow within the first 1000 miles, which some would take to mean that the drivetrain (engine included) needs a 1000 mile break in period.
They mention nothing about the first oil change, but say that the engine is designed for 7,500 mile intervals. Again, some people interpret this to mean the first oil change doesn't have to be done until 7,500 miles.
Most people have thier own strategy or procedure for break in period and most plan to change the oil more often than 7,500 miles, especially the first time. Do what you think is right. There are tons of oil change thread on here and other sites. Some have links to oil analysis workups (which I think is overkill for a personal vehicle). It's your truck. It will most likely be fine waiting to 7,500 miles, but I for one, don't want to take that chance with my third most expensive investment.

 

The reason for the "new" 7500 mile oil change interval is the 7qt (instead of 5) capacity.
I guess it takes longer to wear out when there is more of it. I always thought 3k was overkill, I have always gone 5 to 7k even back in the 80's and 90's. If you're worried, send a sample to blackstone or another testing lab for analyzation, you'll find most oils are good to 7k or more.
My sister-in-law had a 1987 dakota (mitsubishi v-6 motor)she was leaving for a trip to colorado (from TX) and wanted me to check her oil, I did, there was none....110k miles (not Km)on the engine from brand new(she paid sticker!)never been changed, never even been checked, I put in 2 quarts and got some oil on the stick and sent her to quick lube (what the heck!)she put another 40k on that little truck before she traded it in.....
I'm not advocating never changing your oil, but I don't think 7500 miles between changes is out of the question.

 

Good one !

 

Lengthened oil changes have little to do with pan capacity. It has to do with the fact that synthetic oil is used. 7500 miles is just fine between oil changes, and has been shown in synthetics to not even begin the initial stages of oil breakdown. This ain't no budget trop-arctic can of dino oil here, it's a semi-synthetic blend.

Drive 7500 miles, then go have it changed. If you change you oil and rotate your tires every 7500, you'll be golden.

 

dale,

110K miles with no oil change? Wow. I had two of those Mitsu V-6 engines and they were both junk. Glad she had good luck!

 

I know! I was going to buy a diamante for the wife back in '90 but my research led me to the same conclusion....JUNK! Or, maybe the factory break-in oil is better stuff than we think!?!?!