Oil Changes How Often
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Bottom line is this...
You may be similar to some of the members posting here, but you are not identical. Just like your truck and engine are similar after 20+ years, not identical.
The oil products you and they use might be identical in the bottle, but as soon as they are in the rotation of the system, they become different.
To be on the safe side, change the oil early and often. The only way to know for sure is to have a UOA accomplished on your oil product of choice after your desired mileage. This will tell you if you are right on the money or wasting money.
Although, if it gives you peace, it is not a waste of anything because time is more valuable than any oil product.
You may be similar to some of the members posting here, but you are not identical. Just like your truck and engine are similar after 20+ years, not identical.
The oil products you and they use might be identical in the bottle, but as soon as they are in the rotation of the system, they become different.
To be on the safe side, change the oil early and often. The only way to know for sure is to have a UOA accomplished on your oil product of choice after your desired mileage. This will tell you if you are right on the money or wasting money.
Although, if it gives you peace, it is not a waste of anything because time is more valuable than any oil product.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,454
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,861
Likes: 2,335
From: WV
To each their own.
Personally in all my vehicles,
I did 3,000 mile changes when running conventional.
Synthetic gets 5,000 mile changes from me. Except the wife’s van which tells you when to change based on driving conditions. I think it’s usually around 6,500.
I do not pay attention to age of oil. But do agree that moisture may be of concern if having crazy temperature variations while sitting outdoors.
Also my personal opinion is that I won’t do a UOA. The money spent could be put towards an oil change. And I have no desire to stretch it out to 10,000 miles regardless of conditions.
Let’s consider the thoughts when purchasing a truck. I wouldn’t flinch to buy one that had changes at 3-5k. But if they told me they were changing at 10k based off of oil analysis then I may pass it up.
Edit: There is a deviation from my madness. This is related to a non-fuel injected vehicle. I now have dad’s 66 F100. It’s cammed up, Holley 4 barrel, and running synthetic oil. I won’t be pushing this to 5k due to the potential fuel dilution. Hard to say what I’ll decide but maybe every 2-3 years depending on mileage. Guessing around 2-3k.
Personally in all my vehicles,
I did 3,000 mile changes when running conventional.
Synthetic gets 5,000 mile changes from me. Except the wife’s van which tells you when to change based on driving conditions. I think it’s usually around 6,500.
I do not pay attention to age of oil. But do agree that moisture may be of concern if having crazy temperature variations while sitting outdoors.
Also my personal opinion is that I won’t do a UOA. The money spent could be put towards an oil change. And I have no desire to stretch it out to 10,000 miles regardless of conditions.
Let’s consider the thoughts when purchasing a truck. I wouldn’t flinch to buy one that had changes at 3-5k. But if they told me they were changing at 10k based off of oil analysis then I may pass it up.
Edit: There is a deviation from my madness. This is related to a non-fuel injected vehicle. I now have dad’s 66 F100. It’s cammed up, Holley 4 barrel, and running synthetic oil. I won’t be pushing this to 5k due to the potential fuel dilution. Hard to say what I’ll decide but maybe every 2-3 years depending on mileage. Guessing around 2-3k.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 74
From: Aroostook County, Maine
What oil did you use for the oil change?
I generally play it safe, oil change once a year regardless of miles and I prefer Rotella T6 synthetic 15w-40 or 5w-40 depending on climate. Same for my fuel filters.
Oil is cheap vs engine or component wear. (I do usually put 4-5k miles on per year so it works out well too) If I do drive more then usual I change oil every 5k
I generally play it safe, oil change once a year regardless of miles and I prefer Rotella T6 synthetic 15w-40 or 5w-40 depending on climate. Same for my fuel filters.
Oil is cheap vs engine or component wear. (I do usually put 4-5k miles on per year so it works out well too) If I do drive more then usual I change oil every 5k
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 993
Have always gone roughly 6000 miles, 15w40 conventional no matter what. I just changed the oil in my plow truck, close to 3 years and probably 7000 miles. Over that time I probably added a few gallons between what it burns and leaks. Not optimal but is what it is. Always run Motorcraft filters.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 496
Likes: 34
"And these engines aren't becoming more plentiful and parts aren't getting any more easy to find nor more affordable. Changing the oil is the easiest way to HELP the engine (or anything needing lubrication) live longer. It's no guarantee, but all it takes is watching videos on engine failures due to lack of maintenance (tar coming out of the drain hole) or draining oil that stains the skin to know that there's some negligence going on. Oil is cheap (so far) and if your oil comes out and stains your skin black, you're not changing it enough."
I have a concern too about slug building up from minimal use. Watched a lot of videos of minimal use of the truck All kinds of products out there but what I've been sold on for decades is Marvel Mystery Oil. Used it with amazing results. I did add a pint or quart in at the oil change. I also bought some Hot Shot stiction eliminator. I sucked out the HPOP reservoir and added new oil with a bit the the HS. Did seem to quit down the injectors.
I have a concern too about slug building up from minimal use. Watched a lot of videos of minimal use of the truck All kinds of products out there but what I've been sold on for decades is Marvel Mystery Oil. Used it with amazing results. I did add a pint or quart in at the oil change. I also bought some Hot Shot stiction eliminator. I sucked out the HPOP reservoir and added new oil with a bit the the HS. Did seem to quit down the injectors.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
what oil do you use?? I usually go 5K but we tow a fair amount full time RVing..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post