Oil change question
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert, AZ
Oil change question
I purchased my truck used with 11.5K miles on it from a ford dealer as a Certified pre-owned (cpo), which they performed a service on it changing the oil and checking all filters and such. Currently the truck now has 16K miles on it (all new miles were pretty much unloaded). I have to take a trip to Oklahoma city (from Phoenix) hauling a horse trailer (about 10K lbs). Should i get the oil changed before the trip, or the other question is how long is they typical interval for the oil minder?
AZChris
AZChris
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Joined: Oct 2010
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I know there are a few guys who wait for the "change oil" message to appear. So, hopefully they can give you advice. I typically change my oil at 5k intervals. May be overkill, but oil is a lot cheaper than the stuff it protects.
With going on 5k since you bought it and considering you are towing, I personally would change it. Cheap insurance.
With going on 5k since you bought it and considering you are towing, I personally would change it. Cheap insurance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Assuming the service department reset your oil minder, the truck will notify you when the oil should be changed. I suspect that is true because you've driven 4,500 miles and haven't gotten the notice. You likely have another 2,000 - 3,500 miles left before the message will show.
Personal preference may be entirely different. I change my oil at 5,000 mile intervals just because. You'll get a lot of opinions on when it's needed but Ford Motor Company engineers spent a lot of time and money proving out the oil change notification system. They will tell you to just relax and change the oil within a few hundred miles of when the reminder pops up.
Personal preference may be entirely different. I change my oil at 5,000 mile intervals just because. You'll get a lot of opinions on when it's needed but Ford Motor Company engineers spent a lot of time and money proving out the oil change notification system. They will tell you to just relax and change the oil within a few hundred miles of when the reminder pops up.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert, AZ
EPIC. I think i would normally wait for the oil minder to tell me it is oil change time. I just don't want to be in the early stages of the trip, have the change oil message come on, and then try to find a dealer to do the oil change. Especially since we are hauling horses, can't really stop for a few hours and park them at an oil change place. (I don't like the quick lube places for diesel.) My dealer has been reasonably priced (at least on my 6.0) for oil changes. Plus i still have a free oil change from when i purchased the truck.
AZChris
AZChris
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
EPIC. I think i would normally wait for the oil minder to tell me it is oil change time. I just don't want to be in the early stages of the trip, have the change oil message come on, and then try to find a dealer to do the oil change. Especially since we are hauling horses, can't really stop for a few hours and park them at an oil change place. (I don't like the quick lube places for diesel.) My dealer has been reasonably priced (at least on my 6.0) for oil changes. Plus i still have a free oil change from when i purchased the truck.
AZChris
AZChris
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Joined: Dec 2010
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A ford tech told me to change the oil evey 5K, and the fuel filter every other oil change. Sounds like good preventile maintenaance.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 105
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Well got the oil changed this morning.
One thing i wish is that the service department would train the service writers better.
I had the "Check Coolant" notice start flashing about 1k miles ago. I new i was going to need it check when i got the oil changed so i just reset the message myself so i wouldnt see it every time I started the truck. I mentioned this to the service writer and he looked at me like i was smoking crack. Had to repeat myself a number of times that it was the "check coolant" message and told him it was a check of the coolant strength and other things that were done be dip-stick testers. When i looked at the service ticket, after the oil change, it was written up as a "low coolant" message. I am hoping the tech did the appropriate check. with only 16K miles on the truck im not too worried. i think i will get my own test kits and do it myself next time i get the message.
AZChris
One thing i wish is that the service department would train the service writers better.
I had the "Check Coolant" notice start flashing about 1k miles ago. I new i was going to need it check when i got the oil changed so i just reset the message myself so i wouldnt see it every time I started the truck. I mentioned this to the service writer and he looked at me like i was smoking crack. Had to repeat myself a number of times that it was the "check coolant" message and told him it was a check of the coolant strength and other things that were done be dip-stick testers. When i looked at the service ticket, after the oil change, it was written up as a "low coolant" message. I am hoping the tech did the appropriate check. with only 16K miles on the truck im not too worried. i think i will get my own test kits and do it myself next time i get the message.
AZChris
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