Welcome MikeI and congratulations on the new truck.
This is the most common question asked from new members and many are just tired of replying.
My personal experience is $1 oil and $3 filter every 4-5K and the engine will last 200k miles.
Others prefer to buy $4 oil $10 filters and change every 3k.
Your call.

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2001 F150 XLT SC SPORT 4X4 FLARESIDE
* Black
* 4.6
* Auto
* awesome factory 10 spoke 17" wheels
* "MAN"ual shift 4x4
* 3.55 Limited slip
* Captains chairs W/console
* Factory tube steps
* Slider

 

No more than 3K miles per with any oil or filter for me


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'97 F-150 XLT Supercab 4x4 ORP
Project "Hidden Horses"
Superchip!
AirForce 1 FIPK
Custom exhaust
Custom Graphics
Custom Hard Tonneau Cover
GTS Headlight Covers
Pioneer DEH-P7200 "Dolphin" Stereo

electric fan next.....

[This message has been edited by PhoenixClaw (edited 03-08-2001).]

 

every 3000!

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97 F150 Longbed V8 4.6
K&N air filter
K&N FIPK tech MOD & removed elbow silencer
Tires: Yokohama 265/75/16 Geolander AT+
Hyper white xenon bulbs
Bedliner and raven shell
6 disc cd changer
Oil & filter used

Gasoline used

My Truck

 

Im with you. Part of the problem used to be oil contamination. Now, with cleaner burning vehicles the engine should not have a problem with 5K oil changes.

In Europe they have run 10K on oil for ever it seems like. We in the USA have been indoctrinated into the 3K deal .... good for oil companies.



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2001 Ford F150 Supercab 4.6L

 

3M mile oil changes are a waste of resources. Ford is being conservative with the 5M interval. Do you really think they would recommend that interval if their trucks lost reliability? It's time to get off of the old paradym and change thinking along with the changes in technology.

 

I always run 5k on Mobil 1. Motors last forever and don't burn a drop. Even my wifes hi winding little 4 banger in her Miata has over 100k on it and still doesn't burn a drop. 5k changes all it's life. Just make sure you use a good quality filter. There is a lot of differences in filter media out there. Do your research on that one. The best names aren't always the best filters.

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- Soon to be 2001 F150 Harley Davidson Special
- 1993 Mazda Miata, wifes car
- 1994 Harley Davidson Heritage
- 1976 Honda CB750K, Original
- 1965 Honda 305 Dream, Original
- 1971 Triumph Trophy 650, Original
- 1971 Norton Commando
- 1970 Honda Trail 90, Original
- Yamaha 500 Short Tracker, racing #69
- 1984 Yamaha Virago 1000, wifes bike
- 1981 Honda Passport 70, wifes bike

 

HI!... MIKE I : I change my oil and filter every 3000KMS and use VALVOLINE 10W40 all climate with a FRAM DOUBLE GUARD filter. I also change my tranny fluid once a year no mater the KMS with REDLINE synthetic fluid.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

Ultimately it is your call, but I go with 5k intervals.

If someone asked me what was better 3k or 5k I would say 3k but how do you define better?
In abosolute terms, the more frequently you change your oil the better. But there comes a time where the benefit vs. cost factor override a given interval.

Also, Ford would never recommend an oil change interval that was going to hurt the durability of their engines in anyway. If anything they have padded the numbers to their favor.

Also remember that oils are a lot better than they used to be. The include detergents to help engines stay clean, etc.
In my opinion the 3k change interval is a residue of the old oil days.

Bottom line: 5k mile intervals are perfectly fine. Just depends on what will make you feel better. 3k or 5k.

 

Reminds me of a friend. He has a Mazda Miata that he has installed an aftermarket turbo kit on. He drives the p*ss out of this car. He has 270K miles on it. He change his oil filter every 5K miles and changed his oil & filter at 10K miles. He used Mobil 1 5W30. His car still runs great, but does burn a little oil now days.


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2001 Ford F150 Supercab 4.6L

 

I have a Ford Aerostar with 195,000 miles that doesn't use anymore oil than when it was new (as far as I can tell). For the first 83,000 miles the oil change frequency was every 6K. This was the company policy as it was a company vehicle. I belong to the old paridigm of the 3K change, and it has served me and perhaps the oil companies well. I think 3,5,6k is a preference thing and how hard you drive an engine is probably a determining factor. I have a sister-in-law who's idea of maintenance is "I add oil when it needs it". You want to talk about longevity being shortened, then that is a case.

 

If you do alot of city driving or short trips every 3000 is a good idea if you do alot of highway drivng for long trips then every 5000 or so and if you do a combo of both do it around 4000 its your call as its your truck I do mine every 3000 except for long road trips when on vacation then its 4000 to 5000 miles on it.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

5 k

 

I always changed my oil every 3000 miles on my past trucks...I just took delivery of a new 2001 F-150 XLT, triton 8cyl engine..The dealer told me I only need to change the oil every 5000 miles..What do y'all think? Is 5000 ok or should I just stick to the 3000? I have always gotten at least 100,000 miles out past Ford Truck engines with no major repairs.....

 

i'd recommend changing your oil @ 1000 miles, and then every 4000 miles after that..

worked for me!

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'99 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercab 4x4 ORP
5.4L Triton V-8
Deep Wedgewood Blue



MODS TO COME:
K&N FIPK
Gibson Swept Side Exhaust
A.R.E. LSII Hard Tonneau Cover

 

I always change my oil and filter at 3,000. No matter what kind of oil.