2001 4.6 with 27,000 mi. On my last oil change, I had accidentally gone over 5,000 mi. before having the oil changed. I usually go about 4,000. Should I have an engine "flush" of anything? The dealership says that the oil has enough detergents in it to keep things clean, but I just want to make sure. They also said they didn't like the idea of putting chemicals or anything other than oil through the engine. What do you guys recommend? How often should one really change their oil with the 5W20 weight doing more than half the mileage on the highway? Thanks!!!

-AR

 

Same thing happened to me.
I always have my oil changed at 5,000 miles.
Last time I was set to take it in, my wife says I have to take my daughter to the dentist. I didn't plan for this. I took the shortest routes, back roads and such to compensate but, by the time I got to the dealership I had 5,023 since the last change.

The Service manager noted it and said, " You know, we put that sticker in the corner of your windshield for a reason."

I said, "My wife made me..."
He cut me off with, "I don't want to hear it!"

 

LOL!!!

 

Raoul,

Shame on you for abusing your engine like that. I've heard of people going 5010 miles on an oil change, but yours must be some sort of record or something. Your engine is still actually working?

All kidding aside. Jackal, you should be fine. Modern day oils are designed to give you a large cushion for error for oil changes. If I'm not mistaken, Ford even recommends for some, if not all of their vehicles, a 5,000 mile oil change unless for severe duty, which is recommended at 3,000 miles. It's the quicklube market that has us believing that oil needs changing every 3,000 miles. Why, becuase that's what they get paid to do. It's not like there is a timer that goes off in the engine that makes it detonate.

 

Ford's recommended service interval is 5,000 miles, and 3,000 miles if on the severe duty schedule. With over half of your miles being freeway miles, which is pretty easy on oil, you shouldn't have any problems. Heck, many GM vehicles are up to 7500 mile intervals.

 

yea i heard that the new vettes dont have to change their oil till 25,000 miles. Dont know if its true but i read itin some car magazine.

 

I ususally go 6,000 miles on Mobil1 synthetic with a PureOne filter..61,000 and no oil related problems yet..

 

As a "ex" mechanic I once had a contract with a service company that used light duty trucks. The comany was owned by accountants and they loved to play with the numbers. They knew that the delivery trucks would become a liability (reliability and money wise) at about 120,000 miles. Therefore they replaced all the trucks at 120,000. After a time on the 3000 mile oil change program (recommened for commercial use) they decided to move to 5000 mile intervals. They eventually moved to 10000 mile intervals. The logic? There where no greater number engine failures in their fleet (hundreds of vehicles) using this interval. They tried to go to 15000 mile intervals but decided that it wasn't working out. Surprisingly, this wasn't from increased engine problems. It seems the oil was wearing out and oil consumption increased significanlty after 10,000 miles in service.

I'm not suggesting anyone should ignore Fords recommendations for service intervals, but I think you will be fine as long as you didn't run it while low on oil.

I also never recommened the oil flushes when I was a mechanic. One shop owner I worked for had great success with them on noisy (lifter noise) Subarus. Other than that I think they are just money spent fixing a problem that, if it existed, couldin't be fixed properly with a flush.

 

Vettes come from the factory with Mobile 1 Synthetic oil...

 

When I bought my truck I also got a lifetime oil change for $99. I can take it in every 3,000 miles and just pay a $5 disposal fee for my LOF.

Needless to say I get it chaged often and feel guilty if I go 4 or 5k.

I've heard some guys that run sythetics merely change the oil filter at 5k. Sounds interesting.

 

off of the top of my head, I believe most oil manufactures (regular, not sythetic) say their oil is good for 6 months or 6k miles.

 

the oil can usually make it 5-6k no sweat but the average filter cannot and will start to by-pass old oil into your engine. most lube joints use the cheapest filters they can buy so the 3k change is a good idea if you use a quick lube place. the dealer should use a motorcraft filter which should be fine at 5k-6k

the vettes and new caddys have an oil sensor that constantly tests for acid content. (Not mileage like the old Hondas and BMW's) Mercedes invented this technology, heck the new benz's on the street do not even have dip sticks anymore!! go check out a 03 e class!

have fun-