Went in for the first change, 3100 miles and I switched to full syn 5W20. Little more pricey but I feel better about it. What syn brand does the dealership use? Is it Motorcraft? How often does it need to be changed? I've heard you can go 5-6k miles before a change on syn, especially if you are doing mostly highway, but the dealer still likes to put the sticker on the window telling me to come in in another 3k miles.

Anyhow, some of you may remember my post about the motor making a constant ticking sound and a knocking noise. I thought the ticking sounded like a manifold leak, but alot of you said cam phasers, I read about it and agree. But the knocking sound didn't sound right. Several people said don't worry, the motor is breaking in, it's fine. Well the dealer said the ticking noise is somewhat normal, but they will look into it. But the knocking sound is not normal, they want me to schedule to come in and drive around with the service manager so he can check it out. So it turns out it's not so normal, but hopefully we will get to the bottom of it. I'll keep you all posted on the outcome, I know some of you have mentioned you have similar issues on your new trucks.

 

The dealership most likely uses Motorcraft. I've ran the Motorcraft Synthetic Blend thats Ford recommends for about a year. But my last oil change, I put in Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5w20. I've only got about 20 miles on this oil change, so I can't really tell you that I get more HP and MPG, but they say you do with full synthetic. I did a lot of reading on oil before I switched, but according to a lot of lab tests out there, you can safely go 8000 miles on an oil change (with full synthetic oil). With full synthetic oil, the oil its self doesn't really break down, all the additives that are added to it are what breaks down. Also, even though you can go 8000 miles on an oil change, the additives in the oil will still oxidize over time and should be replaced no later than 6 months after you put it in.

So, in other words... change every 8,000 miles or 6 months, which ever comes first...

 

Sorry... i guess i over clicked...it posted 2 times...

 

Well I definately got full synthetic, not blend. On the invoice it says 3106 LOF WIHT Full Synthetic, QFS Oil. Not sure but would that be Quaker State Full Syn? I know years back the dealer used to use Quaker. It was 52.88 for the oil, 7.95 for the filter and 10.25 for the labor. total of 71.08 Sort of expensive for an oil change, I remember changing it on my cars for around $15-20 total d.i.y., but I'm babying this truck, only giving it the best!

 

I would change the oil at the manufactures recommended intervals until the guarantee has expired. I've never went for the longer time between oil changes. I think your better off sticking to regular oil and changing it every 3k. That will make you engine last forever. I have a 97 e-350 with a 5.4 with 197k on it and thats how I maintain it.

 

FWIW, I will use either Havoline or Pennzoil 5w-20 and change every 7500 miles in my 04 Screw 4.6. My wear metals are still single digit and the TBN is usually around 2.1 or better so there is still life in the oil. The Quaker Synthetic is a Gp III dino synthetic if that makes a difference to you. Most of the OTC synthetics are now a Gp III dino as the price of eythelene gas keeps going up and it is the hydrocarbon used to make PAOs- like Amsoil, the old Mobil One, Royal Purple, and a few of the boutique oils. None of these will make your engine go one mile farther under normal driving conditions. They won't add HP or better fuel mileage- that's advertizing hype. If it gives you a warm fuzzy to use a synthetic, use it. It's good oil but it isn't any better at lubricity than any other API rated SM oil with the Ford spec 929. The Ford spec pretty much says that the oil cannot shear or oxidize out of it's viscosity range and it cannot form more than 35 gms deposits over the double length test which is at 302F for 16 hours. So any oil you chose, as long as it has the API Starburst on the bottle and has the Ford spec 929, means you can't buy a better oil no matter how much you pay. Your truck, your money, my .02

 

930, sir, not 929.