Hey Guys,

This newbie question has probably been asked a 1000 times but…

I am about to have my 1st oil change done as my 03’ Screw (5.4L/3.55LS), as it is just about coming on 3000 miles.

My questions are:

Is it okay to take my truck to one of those places like Jiffy-Lube or should I take it to a Ford Dealership?

If I take it to one of those places like Jiffy-Lube what type of oil & filter (brand & weight) should I have them put in?

Now I know most of you will probably say go with a synthetic ~ Mobil1.
How much would it cost me to go with Mobil1 oil and filter?

I greatly appreciate any and all comments/feedback regarding my newbie question.

-DaMatRat

 

Well, I won't be the one to tell you to use Mobil One. The warranty calls for you to use 5w-20. Motorcraft synthetic blend that your dealer should use and the Mobil One have the same HT/HS rating (high temp/ high shear) of 2.6. No sense in spending more money and not getting any benefit from it. Some dealerships, however, do not use Motorcraft oil, so it would be prudent to check first. Also, the Castrol GTX 5w-20 has been turning in some great numbers on Ford engines. Motorcraft filters are good and that is the factory installed filter.

Depending on the area where you live, you can use a 10w-30 providing it doesn't get below 10 F. The engine in your new truck is the same as the engines requiring 10w-30. The 5w-20 spec is for fuel economy. Because the truck is new, I would use the 5w-20 just in case anything was to go wrong.

 

I'd personally do a 1st oil change early at around 1,000, tops 1,500 miles, then do another one at 3,000.

I've had a dealership around the plug before so I'd rather do it myself. But if you're not one who likes to get under the truck then I'd take it to the dealership over a Jiffy Lube anyday.

Most lube places will automatically put in 10W30 unless you specifically request 5W30. I don't know if the Ford recommended 5W30 weight has changed for the '03. Even dealerships have used 10W30 for my truck before even though their advisors will say "using 10W30 will blow the seals off" lmao. Then when you ask them why they used 10W30 the advisor says "I'll go check with the mechanic then disappears and you never see him again.

Don't know anything about Synthetic whatsoever. I'm sure Harley356 will pick it up from here..

 

the previous owner always took the truck to Jiffy-Lube and they used castrol gtx 10w30 in it.
i change my own oil because i personally don't trust the monkeys that change the oil in those places.
i kept using castrol gtx 10w30 in my truck is there any reason for concern? i don't want to screw anything up

 

I would recommend Mobil 1 or Red Line SYNTHETIC OIL. Some do not believe the benifits of synthetic out weight the cost, but it is obvious to those who have tried the products ( Motorcraft 5W-20, Mobil 1, Valvoline synthetic, and Red Line) that synthetic oils reduce engine friction. Sure a good quality Dino oil is going to get you a couple of hundred thousand miles on a mildly driven motor, but if you push your engine you might want to look into a synthetic, one of the best being Mobil 1 ( Red Line is close to $8. per qrt.). Numbers are numbers, which fluctuate from analysis to analysis, engine to engine. One who has tried a synthetic knows that the engine is noticably smoother running, quieter, and accelerates with more ease. In the end, the choice is yours. Synthetic oil is not for everyone, but don't believe that you have to stay with the dealer recommended 5W-20 oil. You can use anything up to a 10W-30 in a new motor. This will not have an effect on your warrenty (Magnusson/Moss Act 1972?). If you go above a 10W-30, you may loose mpg; however, there will be *NO* resulting damage from using a different weight oil as long as your ambient temps are within the range for that viscosity. With synthetic you have more flexability with ambient temps. Use what you feel comfortable using. After all, this is your truck and all anyone can do is suggest a brand or type of fluid based on their experience. About the only important advice is change the oil regularly.


Congrats. on your new truck!!!

 

If i did not do it my self i would take it to the dealer they only charge 24.00 here in Cincinnati and i know it's the same in Indy and if you do it your self you can get the motorcraft filter(FL820s) at walmart for 3.00 and get the oil from the dealer for 2.50 a quart the dealer charges 6.50 for the same exact filter (what a rip) Good luck and welcome to the site.

John

 

First, I would not take the truck to any of the Jiffy type places, you might get your filter changed and you might not. (It happened to me). Any good dino oil will do fine up to 5k depending on your driving style and conditions. I use Mobil 1 because I believe it gives better protection on start up and I feel comfortable changing at 5k with it. I have used Royal Purple in the past but after reading about oils at www.bobistheoilguy.com I believe for my normal driving it is overkill.

I did my first oil change at the dealership (I had a free one coming) at 1k. My next will be at 5k as I am leaving tomorrow morning on about a 1200 mile round trip. I will then change using a Motorcraft 820S filter and Mobil 1 0W-30 (I got a good buy on them when K Mart closed down). After this change I plan on using Mobil 1 5w-20 or 30.

 

If you have the courage, go to your local Jiffy-Joint and look at all the oil trails. I've followed some for one to two miles. Gotta wonder about those poor engines.
There's probably a conmpetent one somewhere, but I haven't found it yet. Had one argue vehemently with me about the oil capacity of my wife's car. Showed him the book, showed him the underhood sticker, told him I'd changed it twenty times and checked the stick afterward. Didn't matter, he was believing his computer.
Never went back there, of course, and wouldn't have gone in the first place if it hadn't been about -5F and snowing.

Slug

 

MraTude,

I was in the same position a week ago. I ended up going to Wal-Mart as they had the best price. I got the Motorcraft (Ford Recommended Brand) Synthetic 5W-20 as my dealer told me that it would offer the best protection down here in the Texas heat. This is especially important as I do a lot of towing. I was very happy with the service and the price could not be beat.

Jiffy Lube wanted $50 something for a synthetic change...outrageous! I ended up getting it for $20.74 at Wally World.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks guys for all your replies and suggestions.
I called my Ford dealership this afternoon to make an appointment to bring my truck in and the Service Advisor told me that Ford recommends 6 months or 5000 miles, which ever comes first for an oil change ~ unless you drive under harsh conditions?
I made the appointment, as my truck is creeping on 3000 miles.

Thanks again,

 

If your going to go with motorcraft oil, don't go past 3,000 mi. per change period even though they tell you it will be fine.

 

Do the oil change yourself, @ least that way u know what u r getting. I use 6 qts. Mobil 1 10w-30 synthetic ($22 @ sams club), a mobil 1 oil filter, $11 @ autozone, and I am good to go for another 6 months.

 

I would add regardless if you use dino or syn go with a 5w-20 or 5W-30 stay away from a 10W.

The first number is the weight of the oil at "start-up". Start-up, regardless of temp. is where you get the most wear to the motor.

The lighter the oil 5W as compared to 10W the "faster" the oil gets to where it needs to be to protect against wear.

It does NOT matter if the temp gets very cold like winters here, or if your temp is always 70F the lighter the oil as in 5W compared to 10W the better wear protection you will have.

 

Whatever you do, don't get an 'ORANGE' filter! Either stick with Motorcraft, or go with a WIX, Napa Gold, Hastings, or even the Wal Mart Supertech's are supposedly good.
All the more reason to stay away from the Jiffy Lubes... they'll use the cheapest/crappiest filters they can find.

Go to the dealer or better yet, do it yourself!

Tom
-personal preference: Amsoil oil and filter

 

Not going to add to the oil used part, but definitely stay away from the Jiffy Lube/Quick Change places. I had my car done at one many years ago just for convienence and when I went to change the oil again myself I found they had cross threaded the drain plug. Either do it yourself, pay the dealer cost or find a reputable shop.





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