Oil Question
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: springstead wi
Oil Question
If you had a f150 3.5 eco . with less then 2500 miles on it and were going to take a trip driving one way no trailer for 1300 miles from Wisc . to the Gulf . would you change the oil before you go or after you get back ? Should be around 5500 on it when I get back .
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
You aren't due for your first oil change until the OLM says so, or 10,000 miles. Beyond that, you are spending lots of time on the highway, meaning low engine hours for the miles you're travelling. Why change it early?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Seattle area
I like to change my factory-fill oil early, but for no scientific reason...it just makes me feel
better. There's no evidence early changes provide any benefits. I say go for your trip and change afterwards.
better. There's no evidence early changes provide any benefits. I say go for your trip and change afterwards.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 335
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From: Ames, Iowa
I'd wait. If anything, the highway miles will burn up any contaminants. I've seen abused trucks, with oil changes way past this mileage run many, many miles with no oil burning at all. Some had 170k miles when we finally gave them up.
Oil is very resilient and changed way too much.
Oil is very resilient and changed way too much.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 108
From: Staten Island, NY
If you have fuel dilution issues, you have some big problems. For the last 25 years I have sent an oil sample from every vehicle I have owned, at every oil change to a lab for analysis. That analysis caught coolant in the oil from a leaking head gasket and a defective cam going flat. My fuel dilution number has always been zero. Without exception.
Change the oil at whatever interval you feel comfortable with. Just remember, modern engines, synthetic oils and filters are nothing like they were 20 or 30 years ago. Those oil life monitors are there for a reason. They take into account probably a dozen different variables (ambient temperature, idling time, engine temperatures and load, etc.). I don't think I've seen engine damage or excessive wear that can be traced to a failure of lubrication in over 25 years. Ford is not in the business of generating engine warranty repairs, and with the availability of extended warranties, that can mean over 75K miles or more.
My personal advice is to change the oil when the OLM reaches 20% or less. Use a good quality synthetic oil that meets the requirements listed in the owners manual, and use a brand name filter - I use Motocraft filters and Mobil 1 oil. Your engine will probably outlive the truck its installed in.
New User
Joined: Mar 2017
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Just be sure an use a quality oil. Most "synthetics" are only synthetic to North American standards. And aren't true synthetics. The viscosity after a 5,009 mile interval will drop in motor oil. Meaning it has broken down and isn't providing the same protection as when you poured it in. There is an oil that doesn't break down like all the others. It lasts longer, you can go longer, and protect better.
http://www.synthetic-motor-oilsite.com/d.cgi/5549193/home.html
http://www.synthetic-motor-oilsite.com/d.cgi/5549193/home.html
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,904
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If you have fuel dilution issues, you have some big problems. For the last 25 years I have sent an oil sample from every vehicle I have owned, at every oil change to a lab for analysis. That analysis caught coolant in the oil from a leaking head gasket and a defective cam going flat. My fuel dilution number has always been zero. Without exception.
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