Hey, I just reached 1000 miles on my new 05 4.6 STX, and was wondering when, mileage wise, should I take it to Ford dealer to get the first oil change. I plan on doing the oil changes myself after the first one.

Sam

 

I did my first change like I always do, at my normal 3k oil changes. You definitely want the dealer to do the first as the oil filter is a bear to get off the first time. I don't think they lube the o-ring and they tighten it quite a bit on the engine assembly.

 

I tried to have mine done at my dealer at about 1600 miles and the Service Manager said I would be wasting my money. He recommended waiting til about 3000 or 3500, when I would normally change the oil and filter. I considered doing my subseqent changes myself as well, but the dealer is so cheap, I decided to let them keep doing them. Not worth the hassel.

 

i didnt have any trouble removing the filter on my 2003 5.4l for the first change- i must have been lucky after listenting to all u guys complain about it on here

i changed mine at 2700miles- but of course i only put on about 4000 miles a year- livin on the farm and a mile from town - nice on the gas bill

Dan.

 

My dealer recommends the first oil change at 3000 miles and subsequent oil changes at the standard 5000 mile interval.

 

I would do it now if it were my truck. Isn't going to hurt and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to get all the metal bits out as soon as possible. Maybe I'm just over worried, but like I said, will not hurt. (I also tend not to trust dealers to do oil changes either...)

Adrianspeeder

 

3000-3500 miles is good

now is the time for full synthetic

...zap!

 

Double check you dip stick before you drive away from the dealer. They left mine a quart low for my first and last oil change at a dealer.

 

If using Motorcraft oil it says you can go 5K between oil changes, why does everyone keep changing it so much sooner ?

 

The 3000 mile interval between oil changes was the standard for decades. I guess it's hard for some people to get around that magic number. The normal interval for oil changes on most engines has been 5000 miles for 10-15 years. Maybe people don't read their vehicle's manuals or just blindly accept the Jiffy Lube label on their windshield stating the next oil change is due in 3 months or 3000 miles is gospel.

 

Changed mine at 1400. Had to take it to the dealer to get the filter off. They must have hired King Kong to put those things on at the factory. I replaced with K&N which has a nut on the end to put a socket on. It's hard to get to with a regular wrench.

 

I didn't buy my current truck new, but on all my prior new ones, I change the oil at 2K, 4K, and every 4K after that. It is easy to tell when the truck needs an oil change. If the last digit is a multiple of 4, then its time.