Hello all! It's my first post on the board. I just bought my first F-150 two weeks ago and I was wondering about the oil. The truck is brand new but was built in December. Should I go ahead and change the oil because it is 6 months old but only has 800 miles? What oil would you recommend I start using from now on?

I would also appreciate any help on what accessories I should buy first. Bed liner, nerf bars?

Thanks and I look forward to talking with everyone.

Hokie

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2000 Ford F-150 Supercab 2WD, 4.6 V8, Black, 800 miles as of 7/1/00! Many upgrades to come.

 

Wellcome to the boards Hokie,
Well I'm not 100% sure if this is right, but I waited till 3000 miles before my first oil chang and then changed it with Pennzoil Synthetic. If you change it really early I wouldn't use a synthetic. Alot of people on here use synthetic, and in my personal obsevation it does make the truck run cooler. About after market parts, the best bang for the buck:

Superchips
Airaid or K&N FIPK
Cat back exhaust

But a bed liner was the first thing I did.
Hope this helps, I'm sure you'll get more great advise from everone else.

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My 2000 F-150

If it looks good
you'll see it
If it sounds good
you'll hear it
If it's marketed right
you'll buy it
But..if it's real
you'll feel it

 

Okie Dokie, and Hodie, Hokie!

Let her go and get some miles (3-5K) on it.

I just did my first DIY Oil Change this afternoon. What a treat -- I need two elbows on my right arm and SONAR on my index finger and thumb to get that filter off and on (the oil doesn't hit the ground where I thought it would either -- SOP, I guess).

Enjoy your truck -- and this board!

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

SSSStStSSTuttered (double post)

[This message has been edited by Y2K 7700 4x4 (edited 07-01-2000).]

 

You can go ahead and drive it with the current oil in it.
The 3months/3,000 mile thing is because the figure if you don't put 3000 mile on that you are taking a bunch of short trips and the oil would be full of non burned contaminents.

Since the oil has really no miles on it, it should be still like new. Drive it 3,000 then change it.

Spargo2,

How is that new pennziol synthetic doing? I don't know too many people who are using it. How many miles are you running that oil?


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Lube-Direct


New Lubrication Forums

 

Hey Hokie,

I have to disagree with everyone else so far, the oil is there to remove contaminents and lubricate, but it is also there to remove moisture (condensation) from the engine. As this happens your oil will break down and perform less than perfect. This is the reason for the time limit on most oils...synthetics break down much, much slower. Remember that even sitting still your oil is still working for you.
When storing vehicles the recomendation is to drain oil before storage or right before startup, reason being is that the oil will be full of engine destroying moisture.
Sorry so long winded...just my .02.



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Y2K,XLT,SC,SB,4X4,ORP,5.4L,4R70W,3.55LS
13 APR 00 Build
11 MAY 00 Pick Up
Mods will come.

 

By the way Hokie,
An oil change on such an expensive and new engine/vehicle is just plain CHEAP insurance.
As for changing to synthetic, wait until the engine is broken in good, letting the rings get seated.

 

Welcome Hokie- use synthetic, but not until after break-in. I've never drained oil in a vehicle after 6 months that was moisture laden. Just drive it 3K; you'll be fine; get your use out of it. If you are **** about bed scratches get your bedliner first. The most performance for the money/effort I got was the Superchip. Happy Trucking and congrats on your new ride.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

The moisture theory doensn't hold water, unless you only drive extremely short trips of 1-2 miles.

Once the oil gets up to operating temperature the moisture will vaporize and be vented out of your engine. Ever see water comming out of a tail pipe?

Same goes with fuel contamination. Fuel will vaporize at about 160 degree water of coarse will boil at 212, but will also rapidly evaporate at 180 degrees.

So as long as you get your truck up to operating temperature for 30 minutes or so you don't have to worry!

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Lube-Direct


New Lubrication Forums

 

Hi Hokie,

Welcome to this great site and congratulations on your new ride. I spent a couple of years up the road in the capitol city in the mid 80's.

Your will find that everyone on this site has a different opinions about motor oil. The only subject that seems to draw more opinions is Extended Warranties.

The way I look at your situation: Look at the sticker price on you BRAND NEW F150, now look at the price of an oil change. How long does it take to earn that amount on the sticker verus the price of an oil change in a new engine? How long do you expect to keep that BRAND NEW truck in your drive?

What I did was change it at 500, 1500, 3000 with conventional Castrol 5w30 then sometime after 5000 I switched to Mobil 1.
My last truck lasted 11 years, My family out grew it.

The next question you did not ask was what filter, another one of those opinionate filled questions, but I use the Motorcraft like the one it came with. The trick to getting the filter off your truck is to turn the wheel HARD RIGHT. You'll only need one elbow to get it off!

If you are a DIYr, think about getting a FumotoValve, see link below. I can change my oil with no tools, and the only thing on my hands is road dirt, no oil.

As for other mods, K&N filtercharger with Airraid or K&N FIPK, I noticed the difference right away. Next a Superchips then a catback system. Remember, Christmas is coming!

Last but not least, YOU MUST HAVE AN www.F150online.com sticker. I think the added HP value is around 15...

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Y2K F150 XLT SC SB 4.6 V8 M5OD, 3.55 LS,RED!,
K&N FIPK, Superchips, Gibson Swept Side Exhaust,

Fumoto Oil Drain Plug, Added extra leaf to rear spring,
Jeraco Deluxe High-Rise Cap, Duraliner, Clear corner lenses, Super White head lights, Ventvisor, 2 Century NextStep Child Car Seats,Draw-Tite Class III reciever hitch

F150Online sticker on rear window and one under hood

NHTSA Child Passenger information

Previous Ford Trucks '84 F150, '87 Ranger



mtknee@F150fanatic.com

 

I asked a Ford mechanic friend of mine about this once. His answer basically agrees with Mtknee--drop the first OEM oil at 300-500 miles. It's a "break-in" oil--theoretically, any real metal-metal 'grinding/burnishing' during the initial startups will be carried off with this oil change; after that, change it ~every 2500-3000 depending on your driving, but don't use a synthetic until after 10,000 when you're sure the engine is broken in--rings are seated,etc.

 

Thanks everyone for your response to my question. I just got back from vacation and putting about 800 more miles on my truck. I figure that after reading the suggestions I will have it changed next week when I get my detail is done (they owe me one from when I bought it, it was a Sunday and they weren't in). I will probably have about 2,000 miles by them. I will probably wait until my next oil change to do the Mobil 1. I am thinking about starting to change the oil myself. Thanks mtkee for some suggestions on that, does anyone else have tips/suggestions on doing the oil change yourself?

Hokie
(BTW, Hokie is the the name of the mascot of Virginia Tech, also a name of a student/alumni that went there www.vt.edu)
Hope you watched the national championship game last January.

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2000 Ford F-150 Supercab 2WD, 4.6 V8, Black, 800 miles as of 7/1/00! Many upgrades to come.

 

if you have this much trouble changing oil than you are going to have alot to learn

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2KF150/5.4/LS/Class 3/Blue

 

enok, I don't have trouble changing my oil, just trying to learn from other people's experience.

Take care.

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2000 Ford F-150 4X2 Supercab XLT 139" WB Styleside, 4.6 V8, 4-speed automatic, remote keyless entry, 3.55 Ratio regular axle, A/C, 4-wheel ABS, Black, 800 miles as of 7/1/00! Many upgrades to come.

 

Check out the list of oils for wear and oxidation resistance I posted on the engine area under "want to change motor oil brand ok?"

Sincerely, Kevin