I just bought my 2001 F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 Lariet truck 2/22. I am at 500 miles. At how many miles do I make my 1st oil change? I have heard that it was at 1,000. Is this true? and can i go ahead at use synthetic now? I have used Mobile1 in all my previous veichles and I want to use it in my new truck. And whats this about only needing to use 87 octane gas? I have always owned sports cars in the past and 93 octane was a must. Is this really true about only needing 87 octane? Or can i use a higher octane?

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2001 F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 Lariet. No upgrades till some are available :-(

 

According to the Ford service manual the first oil change is not recommended until either 3,000 or 5,000 miles, depending on whether you follow the severe duty or normal service schedules. According to Mobil, Valvoline, Castrol, etc. it's just fine to use synthetic oil right off the bat. Yes, 87 is required for these engines. The only exceptions being the Lightning or the installation of a Superchip. Running 93 causes some funky problems with the computer and the fuel injection. I found this out first hand. Stick with 87 unless you decide to install a Superchip in the future. Congratulations on the new pickup.

 

riccog. most people do their first oil change between 500 and 1000 miles, then again at 3000. after that they get into their 3 month/3000 mile pattern.

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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone, Leather Captain's Chairs
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II, Hide-a-hooks.
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

The last truck I bought the dealership told me 1500 miles for the first O/C. The new one is from a different dealership and they also said 1500 miles for the first one. It can't hurt.

 

The timing is really up to the individual. I tend to change between 500-750 miles on the very first and again at 3,000 miles.


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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99, **Superchip now installed..WOW!!!!**

 

Change the oil at 3000 miles..

The engine is designed to run on 87 octane.. Actually, if you run something higher than 87 octane, you actually increase the risk of drivability problems, and will not help performance.
The computer can adjust some to different grades of fuel but not much..

If you feel the 'need' to run high octane fuels, then by all means, buy a superchip, which requires the use of high octane.

Your previous cars were probably 'high performance' type engines which had higher compression ratios, more advance in timing etc..

These truck engines are designed to perform well, but also last a long time.. Thus lower compression ratios and less advance in timing..

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Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS

 

I agree with IndyFan, you don't know what fun particles might be floating around in your oil as a result of the engine breakin.

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On order 2000 F-150 XLT Supercab Wedgewood Blue

• 2WD w/ 3.55 Limited Slip
• 4.6L w/ 5 speed manual
• 16" 5-Spoke Aluminum Wheels
• Keyless Entry
• Stereo w/ Single CD
• Sliding Rear Window
• HD Electrical and Cooling
• Medium Parchment Interior

 

I could care less what ANY expert tells me about changing the oil for the FIRST time! I have always changed them between 500 - 1000 miles! Take a GOOD LOOK at the oil when it comes out! You will see a whole lot of shiny little metal particles in your oil! That can't be good.......



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Rand

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will change my oil at 1,000 miles then again at 3,000 miles to get back on track. I was really curious about this because I have heard most new vehicles have break in oil which is to be changed at 1,000 miles. Thanks again.

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2001 F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 Lariat 5.4 EFI V-8.Oxford White/Silver Frost Two Tone Paint. 3.55 Limited Slip Differential. Medium Graphite Power Leather Captain's Chairs.Four Wheel ABS. Power Slider Rear Window. Trailer Towing Group III. Heavy Duty Cooling Package. Skid Plates. 6-Disc CD Changer.Overhead Console. Did I Forget To Mention Roadside Assistance? :-)

 

I specifically asked about the Triton engines having break in oil...and the answer was "NO". My wife's car did not come with break in oil either.

Oil is cheap...an engine is not.

You can go to Synthetic right away if you want to. Opinions vary...but many of the larger auto makers (BMW..etc) ship their cars right from the factory with Synthetic oil...and they are not driven/broken in for 5,10 or 15,000 miles. I put Mobil 1 in my truck around 1,000 miles and my wife's car at 200 miles. The head service mechanic/manager said there would not be any problem with going to Synthetic right away..just use the proper weight.

[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 03-17-2000).]

 

My truck definately doesn't like 89 octane or higher and I have tried both. With 89 I get more of an idle vibration. 87 definately seems to make the truck run the smoothest, although I still get an engine vibration, but it is much better since I put flowmasters on it. My next mod will be to go superchip, but I want the one were you can decide whether to run prem or reg. Also, I put Mobil 1 in after 600 miles and it likes that better than the factory oil.


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2000 F-150, XLT SuperCab
4.6 V8, auto.
3.55 Limited Slip Diff.
Towing Package
Stainless ICI nerf bars
K&N Airfilter
Flowmaster 40 Catbck Sys.