I have always changed my oil about every 5,000 miles. I don't think oil losses anything if it was in your oil pan for 8 months. How long was that oil on the shelve? LOL

 

Ok so here is the million dollar question then were does the that put the people that use a blended or full synthetic oil?

Me personally I change mine every 5k ,since I do mostly all highway, and the wifes freestyle every 3k. But it takes 6 months for her to put 3k on her car.

 

I change my oil every 3000 or so miles (usually closer to 4200 miles) or whenever I get bored It never takes me 3 months to rack up those miles, usually a month to a month and a half.

 

every 5k here.

 

Again, I am no stickler for 3 months. I have never followed a time frame, only a mile frame.

That is a question which I have answered several times on other threads. Synthetic has the advantage of conventional that it never turns to sludge. It looses its lubricity factor once the additives begin to break down. So, you get a more waterlike lubricant rather than oil when synthetic is overextended

You missed the point. The point wasn't that the car unsavvy didn't check their oil. The point was that they go 5000 miles and are a quart or more low on 60% of cases (per my data) Even if you check your oil everyday, if its going to burn its going to burn same rate regaurdless.

I have the data coming in on a monthly basis. In the past 6 months, the average return milage has increased from about 4500 to almost 5000 miles. The number of cases with oil levels at least 1 quart low (we don't track less than 1 quart low) has increased from 40% to 60% since this time last year, when the average mileage was right at 4000 miles. 1000 more miles on the same oil has led to a 20% increase in low oil on these vehicles (from my samples) The top three vehicles I service are:

1) Ford Expedition
2) Ford F150
3) Ford Explorer

Also on the list, in the top ten, are the chevy tahoe, chevy suburban, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus RX330

Now thats funny and true

 

Everyone seams to assume that everyone falls under "Special Operating Conditions", I would like to quote from my "scheduled maintenance guide 2000 model year".

"Which Maintenance Schedule Should You Follow?

Normal Schedule

The Normal Schedule applies to those who operate their vehicle under typical, everyday driving conditions. This maintenance frequency represented in this schedule typifies what the vast majority of vehicle operators will require. The listed services should be performed at specified milage intervals.

Special Operating Conditions
If you operate your Ford/Lincoln/Mercury PRIMARILY in one of the more demanding "Special Operating Conditions" listed below, you will need to have some items maintained more frequently, see page 35. If you only OCCASIONALLY operate your vehicle under these conditions, it is not necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or qualified service professional.
These special operating conditions are:

Towing or carring heavy loads
Extensive idling and/or driving at low-speeds for long distances
Driving in dusty conditions
Off-road operation"

It seams, even Ford who has a vested intrest in seeing that you maintain your vehicle correctly, dosen't feel most people need 3000 mi. oil changes

 

But in your manual, the advice is different than in my manual. Granted yours is a 00 and mine is a 98. Mine has only a very small paragraph for each, basically stating that it is up to the drive to determine which catagory they fall under. I will get the manual today from an 05 Aviator and post what it states

 

graydiggity05

No offense taken.

I assure u i dont go by whats on my sticker, lol. This last change was the first time i got it changed at dealer. changed myself before that. And i use the 5w20 synthetic blend motorcraft oil and filter. Which is supposedly superior to conventional.

Dan.

 

i run full synthetic, change the filter rougly 3k-4k miles, and change the oil itself 10k-15k miles. This has been a winning formula for me. Like most people here, I facilitate maintenance by milage, rather than time.

 

First let me say that I have no relationship with Blackstone Labs (except that I am a satisfied customer). If you really want to extend the time and/or distance interval between oil changes I would suggest spending $19 (not $100 as previously mentioned) and do some experimenting of your own. Send in a sample with each oil change and continue extending the time or distance until the lab. report says you've reached the limit. This will also tell you what's getting in your oil (fuel, coolant (deadly to an engine), dirt (from improper air filtration), Iron, Chromium, Moly, etc.). They are great to deal with and have a good web site.

 

Exactly!

 

my truck is about due for an oil change, I think i'll spend my 25 bucks to buy 5 quarts of mobil 1 and a motorcraft filter. then i know i have replaced any possible contaminates in the oil with clean oil. then i KNOW what i have for another 3000 miles

 

Filthy Mutt,

That works too. I'm just saying "If you want to extend...."

You are correct. By changing the oil you will remove the contaminants. However, even without extended intervals an oil analysis can yield valuable information. For example, it will tell you if your air filtration is working properly, if you have coolant or fuel in the oil, if you have a bearing getting ready to fail, etc. In short, it is possible that you could fix a problem before it leaves you stranded and before it costs you even more money (a stitch in time...).

 

i always keep my filters changed, never had a problem with air filtration. runs just fine. i just don't see paying to know what condition my oil is in when i can just change it and not only know the condition of the oil afterwards, i will will also know that the condition is NEW.

 

Let me put up some practical background about oil analysis, design and use.
I have nearly 35 years of oil analysis at my place of employment.
The major reasons why this is done on fleet and major expense engine installations is long term costs of oil and long engine life.
In major engine installations, the crankcase volume is in the 25 gallon upward range and you don't just change that amount by mileage and short intervals without some type of control system.

Another bit if information to know is the original engine designing involves life testing by the mfger engine lab or a contracted lab.
This involves strict oil analysis to determine 'WHAT' parts are wearing in the design and at what rate of wear. This tells the engineers that the part has to be either redesigned or it's metal alloying has to be altered in some fashion to make all parts fit into a reasonable expected life span for warrenty and reasonable extended time after that point with proper maintaince, for no other reasons than company reputation for long reasonable life.
The design oil analysis life testing also fixes the oil specification by the factory and the maintaince intervals for each engine family.
There is always a factor where the parts suppliers will not live up to design specs and these parts will often find their way into production, causing problems for the owner but that's the way things go under the system of affordable products with out testing every part that is used.
Jack Rouch Co. did much of the life testing for the 4.6L engine back in the early 90s for FORD.

Those that announce flatly that oil analysis has no value are not very well informed. Certinaly most people do not go to the effort to do this but oil maintaince at reasonable mileage and time will preserve the investment over time except for unexpected failure of other parts that are not oil related.
Imagine a big CAT dozzer not having analysis for a crank case capacity that may hold 50 gallons or more of oil. The dollar investment on these machines is many times the value of an F150.
An engine is just like a human, it begins to die as soon as it is runs except the intervals it is not in use unlike humans that run from time of birth to the end.
The debate that forms on these boards at the first mention of oil is totally absurd with the inflexability some take and set themselves up as experts over engineering and design, for the most part.
Oil analysis has it's value for those who choose to use it, oil interval change is the most practical way the larger population has to insure their engines will last a reasonable amount of time until replacement.
How about everyone being reasonable about this and not get into such a hassle about what oil, what change intervals etc to use.
The industry has SAE standards that all reputable companies use and submit to the car and truck mfgers for approval. You the owner, if you donot use the factory reccomended oil, it is your duty to find out if the oil meets the factory spec for your application. This is the freedom you live under in this country as opposed to being told what oil you will use and how often you may change it, like is done in some other countries of the world.