As I prepare to change my oil here, I couldn't help but wonder why the dealer is under the impression that the truck can go 7500 - 10000 miles between oil changes?? This is what I have seen in their literature and what not as well, unless there is a "special condition"...does Ford not know their own engine!? Heck I would love to be able to do 10k b/t changes, haha

Cheers,

 

The 6.0L PSD manual states to change oil and filter every 5,000 - 7,500 miles (not 10K).

As many of us know, "ideal conditions" for the 7,500 mile interval rarely apply to many people.

Many of us who have 6.0L's and have had for many years have chosen the 5,000 mile service interval for the following reasons:

1) It is an easier mileage interval number to remember and is divisable by the other service intervals for tranny and such.

2) The 6.0L shears all motor oils down... so even if the oil is clean... it has been sheared down to that of a 30 weight (rather than a 40 weight)... so many of us would prefer to just change it out at 5,000 miles.

3) The 6.0L just likes clean oil and fresh OEM/Motorcraft filters (not will-fit off-brand)... as the oil is used to fire the injectors and lube the motor (dual purpose - hense the reason it shears down).

4) Depending on the miles you drive in a year (lets say 25,000 miles) the difference between 5,000 and 7,500 mile intervals is only 3 oil changes... if you drive less miles, then it would be less.

Personally, I use Rotella-Syn 5W-40 motor oil purchased at Walmart along with a Motorcraft oil filter... I can change my oil for $100 and know that I am getting as good a protection as I can get at a fair price... and still afford to change it every 5,000 miles.

If you choose the 7,500 mile interval... that's fine, but not if your towing or much city driving.

Good luck and I hope I have answered your question.

 

Each service writer probably knows a good bit about a certain lineup, engine, or model, but the odds of the random one you walk up to being up to date on your particular engine isn't good. In the last ten years Ford has used at least 12 different engines in just their F150-F350 line up, plus all their car and SUV engines, stretched across a few dozen chassis. It's asking a lot for each individual writer to know specific details about each one, especially some pretty small detail like knowing the 6.0L shears oil and that the Ford service intervals on that one engine are a fairy tale.

So next time you're at a dealership talk to multiple service writers and ask if one deals mainly with diesels or trucks. Then take what they say with a grain of salt because not all FoMoCo employees are like our techs here, and they might blow off common "forum facts" as being internet rumors.

 

I'm personally not interested in saving a few bucks on oil changes by extending the interval. I plan to keep my truck for many years and I consider the slight increase in expense for using synthetic oil at 5K mile intervals a solid decision to keep my truck on the road for many miles to come.

 

If your a low mileage driver the interval is 5,000 or 6 months whichever comes 1st.

 

i know from here and folks' UOAs thats its best to change at 5k either way, and with my navigation of the Atlanta traffic and city streets, I prob need to. I was just wondering as to why the manual does not seem to think that. I do not tow, do not idle a lot, most of my trips arent short, etc...so it just seemed to me that outside of those special circumstances for them to say 7.5k seems to be incorrect. I was pissed because when I first got the truck, I went around 7,400, based on the manual, then after getting on here I heard about the 5k.

When I get it changed at the dealer they even put the 5k number on the little window sticker, lol.

 

The manual does not mention 10k, but in the literature from 3 different dealers around here mention oil change every 10k (or 5k for special conditions).

As the poster above mentioned, I have no problem changing out my oils 5k for a long lasting truck, it just intriguing that I get such different information from FORD.

 

I have not had any issues whatsoever using 7,500 mi. OCI in either of my 6.0's. I have UOA data dating back to early '04 to justify my intervals.

On a side note three of the worst oil samples came from 5w-40 RTS, but 5,000 mi.syn intervals seem to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy. When its your truck the money can be spent as seen fit, but its not "needed".

 

Is "RTS" rotella Syn? What type of oil do you use now?

 

Yes, prior to the T6 designation Shell called their 5w-40 RTS.

I am currently using John Deere Plus 50 II 10w-30 (3 years approx. 70,000mi.),
going backwards in my timeline it was 3 runs of the 5w-40 and from that point to early '04 it was the Deere Plus 50 15w-40.

 

Ah thats right, I remember you now, you had commented on a post I did a little while ago regarding the 10w30. I believe you said it treated you very well even in the summer time.

 

The most important thing to remember with our trucks is the oil temp is in somewhat of an isolated environment with the coolant to oil oil cooler. Unless you are working the engine extremely hard the oil temp stays somewhat constant. The highest I have ever seen my oil temp is 209f.

I do haul heavy in the summer, but the terrain is flat, with overpasses being the only elevation change. From my perspective I am accomplishing better results with 10w-30 vs. 5w-40 at half the cost, win-win.