I am due for an oil change and was wondering what you guys use in your truck? And what about the oil filter? Is there anything that I should stay away from?
Here is another thing I'm wondering about as long as I hae your guys attention. I have a 99 4.6. And when I start my truck it lets out a small blue cloud of smoke. It smells like it is kind of rich. What could cause this? Should I take it in under warrenty?
Thanks, Eric

 

Use the best oil you can. Either Mobil One or Castrol IMHO. BTW the wizards of Dearborn now recommend that you use 5w20 in your baby. My dlr gave me the tsb on it today.

For filter, use either the Motorcraft FL-820s or the corresponding Purloator regular or Gold Filter.

--karl

 

karl,
could you post a copy of that TSB? When I had my oil changed at the dealership they used 5W30, they said they didn't have 5W20 and that they had talked to the Ford engineers and were told it's not necessary. I didn't have my bs flag with me, so I had him write on the work order that they didn't have 5W20. If I can get that TSB I'll take it to them and have them change the oil again.

Eric, I agree with using the best oil you can, but not so sure of Mobile 1. There have been some posts about the poor quality of Mobile 1. Anyone have recommendations for a beter oil?
As for the filters, Karl is 100% correct IMO.

 

I've been using Royal Purple synthetic racing oil (#11[5W20]) since my L turned 4,000 miles. Now at 27,300 with no oil 'issues'. I use the K&N Gold oil filter--good filter plus it has a 1" 'nut' on the bottom of the can for easy removal.

Dan

 

Mobil 1 with a K&N or Mobil 1 filter; cheap insurance.

 

AMSOIL Series 2000 0W-30 with an AMSOIL SDF-11 oil filter. Hope to have a dual-remote filter system installed soon.

 

I use Royal Purple 5w30 synthetic Oil with K&N Gold Filter (with the 1" nut for easy removal).

I have had no oil related issues since switching from Dino oils but to be honest, I am not so sure that there is that much of a difference in my trucks performance.





Baj

 

Havoline 5W30, with Motorcraft, puralator, or fram filter.
change it every 3 months regardless of miles.

 

I use Mobile Drive Clean and a Motorcraft filter. Have never had any oil related issues. I personally won't spend the money for synthetic oil. Todays engines will run for over 150000 miles with a good quality oil changed often. I don't really see the advantagages of synthetic.

 

Castrol 5W30 and a Motorcraft filter

 

I use Redline 5w20 with a Hastings filter. You guys need to visit Edmunds.com and check out the town hall section. There is a huge discussion going on about synthetic oil. You will see there that Mobil one is definatley not all that it is cracked up to be. In fact there are conventional oils that protect better than the new supersyn formulation. As far as filters It seems that you filter particles too small it starts to cut down on oil flow and can cause the filter to clog sooner than it should. I have found the Hastings filters to be very high quality with a happy medium as far as filtering efficency and flow rates.

 

10w-30 Semi-synthetic and Motorcraft filter

 

It depends how many miles are on your truck, if you have low miles--which I am assuming you don't since it is 3 years old It is a good idea to use a synthetic. If you have high miles I would use whatever has been used in it before whether it is synthetic or not. Definitely use a Motorcraft or Purolator Filter (Purolator makes Fords filters) The "s" in 820s is for silicone and is very important if you get a filter that is not a silicone you will have oil return problems. I use Chevron 10w30 all year round but that oil is a bit thick for a Wyoming winter, a 5w30 in a cold winter climate is good and 10w30 in summer. There has been a large discussion on this board about the new 5w20 and synthetic oils in general that will give you a lot of info. I believe that as long as you change your oil regularly, 3,000-5,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. Any mid grade oil; Chevron, Ford, Coastal etc.. will do just fine and I believe mobil and other high end oils are really a waste of money if you are gonna change your oil regularly.

I have also had very bad luck with Fram's in the past as well as Wix, although I would take a Wix filter over Fram anyday.

 

Amsoil and Amsoil Filter, now. Was Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 filter.

 

50/50 mix of Mobil Drive Clean 5W-30 and Mobil 1 5W-30 -- with Mobil 1 filter.