I have the normally aspirated 3.7 V6. The ownersd manual talks about the trucks computer telling you when the oil changes are needed.....But, at 6500 miles, bnothing has come through. I have not changed the oil yet on it. I feel this is a huge sin, but am not sure.....I was raised you changed the oil every 2-3 grand. But the owners manual on this truck says the computer will tell you when to. Should I just go ahead and change it?

 

Both engines and oils have changed and allow significantly longer change intervals that before. My 2012 ecoboost also says to use the computer but also has a max oil life of 10,000 miles. Europe has been using 1 year/10K mi oil changes for a lot of years.

At the present time, the 3000 mile oil change is primarily supported by the oil change industry. If they can get you in every 3K miles instead of 10K miles, that is 3x the business they will have.

Hope this helps.
--Rick

 

My owner manual says to go by the service duty of your vehicle and you may get up to 10,000 miles. Go by your oil minder but if it doesn't tell you to change the oil do it every year. I changed the oil and filter at 500 miles and will do it every few thousand. CB

 

For my 5.0L I changed my oil every 4,000 miles because it is a brand new truck. Untill I get to 16,000 then I will go the computed intervals.

 

I've held mine to around a 6K mile dump cycle. My dealer is fine with this as I'm still well within Ford's criteria for normal duty dump cycles.

 

Kind of another dumb question: this WILL affect gas mileage right? My 12 seems to be doing not as well in gas mileage......Like 15.9-16.5 in city.....

 

That's pretty much the same as I get this time of year, low 18's in warmer weather. In town for me is the metro Detroit area, they drive nuts down there, always in a big hurry to beat you to the next light. So, to keep from being saluted, cut off and tailgated, I somewhat drive just like them, down there. It's called survival.

 

I have changed mine every 7500 - 10k since Ive had it. It has 35K miles now. Look in your gauge cluster menu. Go to Vehicle Info and you oil life should be in there.