I've got an 05 with the 5.4L and just hit 1200 miles and want to change my oil. Sadly the engine sounds like chit at idle so I'm very anxious to swap the oil to see if that clears up the sound. My question is what oil and filter do you guys recommend for the first oil change and beyond. I'm certainly no guru as far as oils are concerned so I appreciate any advise or suggestions you have.
Thanks,
Brian

 

Brian
Changing the oil isn't really going to change the sound you hear from your motor. The oil is merely a lubricant, and beyond what anyone says about gains with oil, there aren't any. (HP wise) Now, running a synthetic oil is going to provide you with a lower operating temperature, and is obviously better for the engine if your going to have it for the long haul. See, conventional oil breaks down essentially to grease, while synthetic doesn't change compisitions. Synthetic depends on additives that create the lubricity factor. As the oil gets more and more miles, the lubricity becomes lower and lower. Hence why oil manufacturers still say 3000 miles for synthetic, not the 5000 or more you'll hear from people who know nothing of oil. Oil is part of my business, I run a Carwash, oil change, and detail center. I have tried every oil on the market. (minus amsoil. I don't believe that crap for a second. 15000 miles on a filter and 30000 on oil, must have stock in a motor builder as well) If you look at the new Mobil 1 synthetic that says 15000 miles interval, it has an asterick next to it, which on the back basically excludes all cars that are under any type of warranty, all extreme service, everything except nothing. When it comes to brand recognition, oil is oil....Sure, company A uses additive A, and company B uses additive B, but they all achieve the common goal. Its kinda like you might like sky vodka in your screwdriver and I might want absolut. The same goal is achieved in the end.

So, so summarize, use synthetic oil, brand of your choice, and a good quality filter. I see alot of threads where people don't like fram. I have toured a facility that makes filters before, I seen each and every brand cut in half and the internals shown. There is very little difference. There are actually only like 4 filter manufacturers out there, and they make everyones filters. I'd say find one you like, and stick with it. Obviously you won't go wrong with motorcraft filters though.

 

The original filter is installed before the engine is painted, and most are way overtightened. 98% of new buyers will get a 'free' first oil change certificate from their dealer. Let the dealer change it the first time and deal with pulling off the original filter. After that, just RTFM* and use 5w-20 and a good filter (Motorcraft, NAPA, WIX, etc.)














* (Read The F'ing Manual)

 

Thanks for the informative reply 98Navi.
One more question... I've heard of people not switching to a synthetic until like 10k miles or so. Is this normal or needed?

 

BRILLIANT! When is the last time you yourself read the manual? It will tell you to use 5w-20 and how to read a dipstick. How much help is that?

 

You will find many have switched to syn oils at about 5-15k miles. I plan on using the Motorcraft synthetic oil untill about 15k, then switsh to Mobil 1.
As for filters, I am planning on running a PREMIUM filter, Mobil 1, K&N, Purolator Pure One, Motorcraft. I would suggtest staying away from Fram and the cheaper filters, sometimes you get what you pay for. Have a "cup" or "socket" style filter wrench before you start the oil change. The factory filters are stuck on tightly. Make sure your filter wrench will work before you start. Some have had to drive a screwdriver thru the filter to remove it.

Hope this helps, ignore the smart comments you will get here, some people are not happy unless they are giving someone crap.

Good luck.

 

There are some people who use that mentality. For some reason, lots of engine builders (and I mean serious performance engines, not factory replacements) will only use conventional on previously run blocks. The reason behind it....I have no idea. WHat I can tell you is that almost all the new high performance merecedes and BMW REQUIRE synthetic oil for warranty. Now, if you want to know the truth, and a nasty little secret, 5/20 is a partially synthetic oil. Not many know that, but it is. I had the discussion with three different oil reps to verify it. It is basically identical to truck/suv oil. But I choose to run full synthetic. My applications are always driven hard, and the 5.4 2V I have is blown so I am really into it for the best possible parameters.

If it were me, and I just spent what you did on a brand new truck, there would be no question. Synthetic from day one......

 

That is some secret there, considering it says synthetic blend on the label.

 

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Id also recommend K&N performance gold filter for the 1" socket head on the top of the filter makes it very easy to get a stubborn filter off.

 

That's really all the info you need. Geez... it's just engine oil!

Of course, I have read the manual and it says to use a sythetic blend 5W-20.

 

Shirley you cant be serious?



Thanks for the info fellas. I pussed out and just went with motocraft 5w-20 and a motocraft filter. I'm thinking I'll just run that to 3k then go full synthetic at that point.
Gracias!
Brian

 

Just did the oil change on my 05 at 3700 miles. Went with synthetic as I have on all of my vehicles for the last several years. I'll let you know if it blows up anytime soon. And worland I agree with you, it's just oil. If you used a different oil in your engine each oil change for the next 150,000 miles, it would not make a difference in the life of the engine. We have over a 1000 company vehicles that are serviced at different locations all over with all brands. Most are auctioned at around 150,000 miles or more. Rarely is a vehicle taken out of service for worn out a bottom end. The most important part of the oil change is that it is done on a regular basis. My company does it at 5000 miles. That conclusion came as a result of a years worth of testing oil at different intervals. Most were just fine after 5000 miles. But do what your owners manual says as long as it it under warranty, don't give the dealer an excuse not to repair a faulty engine.

Happy Motoring!

 

Changed the oil in my 2005 FX4 today for its first oil change, mileage 3688.
I use Purolator Premium Plus or Motorcraft filters only. Havoline or Valvoline oils only.
I work at a large chemical plant that has hundreds of rotating pieces of equipment. We use Mobil/Exxon lubricants. Our technical representative says that 5000 miles on a automobile engine should be no problem. Just monitor the oil when you check the oil level. I have changed oil at 5000 miles on my cars for over 35 years and have never had an engine problem including my 11 year old F150.
The oil filter was a bear to get off, but with a tip from a forum member I removed the air intake plastic housing and accessed the filter from the top of the engine. Getting to the oil filter was much much easier from the top and the bottom. Turning the filter took maximum effort and patience but it got done with no damage.
Roger

 

Most bottles weren't labeled in the early days of 5/20. Of course, that was about 2 or 3 years ago, and back then, nobody knew 5/20 was a partial synthtetic. Kind of old info, my bad. But as the picture above depicts, there is a full synthettic 5/20 as well. I run that in my dads 05 aviator

 

Some of y'all think too hard about oil. Change it regularly, with a (preferably) reputable brand, with the latest API certification. Use a quality filter. Sleep well at night.