Just changed the oil and motocraft filter on my 2011 ranger. Hit 14k last week on the clock. Owners manual says 7500 mi. or 6 months, which ever comes first. My question to all you smarter people than me, do I have to change every 6 months even if I only put 2-3 k miles on the truck. Looking for some answers and opinions. Thanks,

 

I don't change mine going by time, I change at 3000 miles.

 

The manufacturer recommends the time intervals like they do because that a low mileage over that time period indicates that the vehicle is probably used only for short trips during which the engine may not get fully warmed up. If that happens, combustion by-products combine with moisture to form acids in the oil that will damage engine components such as the bearings.

There are additives in the oil that are intended to neutralize those acids, and the change intervals are designed to renew the oil before the additives get used up and have acids damage the engine.

 

As noted above, Lots of unknown variables can change the equation at any given time, on when we need to change the oil.
If your in doubt, have a UOA=Used Oil Analysis with a particle count performed on the vehicle in question, to see how the oil & filter of your choice is doing under your drive cycle & weather conditions. BUT if any one significant thing changes during the next cycle, it could affect when its time to change next time.
Of course for the cost of the UOA, we could just change the oil & filter & know for sure we're ok.
Or we could do some UOA research on the like oil, filter, vehicle, drive cycle we have & see how others have done & sort of make an educated guess on when we might need to change.
OR, using the Specified fluids & filters we paid Ford big bucks to research & publish in our scheduled maintenance guide when we purchased the vehicle & being honest about what service our drive cycle falls under, we'll likely be fine with the specified oci.
For instance, I chose some time ago to follow Fords severe service call out on my 94 Taurus 3.8L & Chryslers severe service for the wifes 2000 Neon. They are short trip vehicles & get an oil & filter change every 6 months, no matter the mileage, but the mileage usually falls between 3-4K miles on them.
The other vehicles, like my 99 Ranger 4.0L that are used for mostly highway runs, where everything gets up to operating temps for a good while, I'll go for a one year 5K max oci & fci.
All engines top ends are still squeaky clean, no gum, varnish, sludge, or carbon viewable & one vehicle is 26 years old!!!!

 

Thanks guys, going with every six months. Seem like cheap insurance.

 

If your 011 ride is under extended warranty, follow Fords specifications call out for oci & fci, make sure the lube & filter you choose say in writing that they meet or exceed Fords specifications & keep all the receipts.
Also best to purchase the oil & filter together at the same time, that's close to the scheduled service time, in case something untoward happens, you have strong evidence the problem wasn't your lack of Specified scheduled maintenance.
If you do the work yourself, log & sign it in your Scheduled Maintenance log book & attach the reciepts.
I have all of my receipts for maintenance, parts, repairs, recalls, ect, in a seperate zip lock bag for each vehicle, along with the vehicles purchase papers, so I have a complete vehicle history in one handy place. Can't tell you how many times disciplining myself to do that has paid off over the years.

 

I rub a drop of used oil on my two fingers, does it feel like it's good? still smooth and slippery?
I used to go change every 4000, but lately I've been going more to 6,000.


Look at the oil on the dipstick. It should be darker but similar to new oil in how it feels.

 

Most oil filters have an expected life of 5,000 miles. With that in mind, I change mine at 4,000.

 

I regularly go 6000 miles. No issues.

 

+1 to what Pawpaw said.
If you want exact break down of change intervals it couldnt have been said better.

I myself have mixed driving usage for my vehicles so I follow a set schedule for all my vehicles with good results.
Fluid and filter change every 3,000 miles or 6 months for Non-synthetic oils
Fluid and filter change every 5,000 miles or 6 months for Synthetic oils

*Ill add too I also change my drain plug every other oil change.

Its a little simple but thats what works for all my Makes and models. Like I said my vehicles are mixed usage. Few months round town then across the state for a couple weeks. Just depends on what I need them for.