Oil filter change interval
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
Engine oil doesn't "wear out". It becomes contaminated with combustion byproducts and the various additives become depleted. The filter is there to capture particulate matter in the oil and sludge that really shouldn't be there if the additives are doing their job. If your only concern is actually moisture contamination, then take the truck for a 50 mile highway run to boil the water out of the oil. To change the oil without changing the filter seems like false savings.
If you're physically limited in your ability to change the oil, simply pay a bit more and have the dealer do it. Or one of the quick change places.
If you're physically limited in your ability to change the oil, simply pay a bit more and have the dealer do it. Or one of the quick change places.
What it does do is break down. It and its additives. I would send my race car used oil into blackstone for analysis and oxidation and heat degradation would always be mentioned in the reports and ironically, I think they used the word worn out. Meaning ultimately it lost its ability to lubricate.
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
I'm not driving my 2016 5.0 enough to change the oil by mileage. The oil life monitor is hitting zero after one year. I'm running synthetic oil and a Mobil 1 extended life filter. I'm going to change the oil due to moisture contamination concerns but I'm wondering if there's any reason to change the filter?
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,042
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
I'm seeing so many videos now that are touting oil change intervals by driving style rather than mileage due to the OLM. It seems that even some car makers have seen fit to eliminate the oil dipstick. I haven't verified that but it wouldn't be surprising to me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 417
In all fairness, especially with work trucks, a vehicle that spends hours at idle per day needs to be have oil changed based on dynamics outside of mileage. Same goes with vehicles in 'tow mode', implies harsher engine conditions. I simply change mine at 4500 miles, it rarely shows 50% or below, it is very simple to do, and I feel the early advantages are worth it rather than risking the estimate meter that factors into cost of ownership bragging rights in marketing brochures.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,232
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
Articles I've read have reported that many owners have put motor oil in the transmission. Or that many are overfilling engine oil because they don't know how to read a dipstick. With modern engines that have stop/star, about a 10 minute wait is required before checking, or the dipstick will read low, as there are baffles in the engine to slow oil from draining to the sump too fast.
Anyone wonder why there are so many bearing and cam roller failures in late model engines?
Last edited by JKBrad; Dec 8, 2025 at 03:34 PM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
In all fairness, especially with work trucks, a vehicle that spends hours at idle per day needs to be have oil changed based on dynamics outside of mileage. Same goes with vehicles in 'tow mode', implies harsher engine conditions. I simply change mine at 4500 miles, it rarely shows 50% or below, it is very simple to do, and I feel the early advantages are worth it rather than risking the estimate meter that factors into cost of ownership bragging rights in marketing brochures.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 515
From: Edmond, OK
My understanding is that many of the manufacturers who are removing dipstick for engine oil and transmission fluid, are doing so to further idiot proof vehicles.
Articles I've read have reported that many owners have put motor oil in the transmission. Or that many are overfilling engine oil because they don't know how to read a dipstick. With modern engines that have stop/star, about a 10 minute wait is required before checking, or the dipstick will read low, as there are baffles in the engine to slow oil from draining to the sump too fast.
Anyone wonder why there are so many bearing and cam roller failures in late model engines?
Articles I've read have reported that many owners have put motor oil in the transmission. Or that many are overfilling engine oil because they don't know how to read a dipstick. With modern engines that have stop/star, about a 10 minute wait is required before checking, or the dipstick will read low, as there are baffles in the engine to slow oil from draining to the sump too fast.
Anyone wonder why there are so many bearing and cam roller failures in late model engines?
F250. I don't think I'd try it in a modern VVT engine though. 🤔I changed the oil every 6000 miles in the 20 F150 I had with the 2.7l EB. It generally had over 40% life left according to the truck. I'd change the oil filter at the same time. For my jalopies I change the oil once a year whether they need it or not.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 130
From: Missouri
15,000 miles is a fake number Ford created to please the EPA. Just like "lifetime" transmission fluid.
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Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,232
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
The EPA doesn't care about maintenance schedules. It's a marketing tactic to get people to agree to buy a vehicle that they really can't afford, so that maintaining it doesn't seem like it will cost that much.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,042
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
I can't speak for all dealers but for the two that are within 15 miles of my home, if you have them change your oil, the affix a 5K mile oil change reminder on the upper corner of your windshield which tells me th at even they aren't buying into Ford's BS hype of reduced maintenance AND, they want your maintenance dollars.
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
Oil change reminder notice comes on 7500 miles(ish) by the time i pick up oil and a filter it is around 10,000(ish)
I don't read to much into it, I change it when it tells me to (ish) or when my mileage gets close to 10,000 All my vehicles are 10,000 intervals.
They are almost 10 years old now since new. Can't be said i do something wrong. Or can be, Don't matter. I am not dumping good oil. Definitely not going to 15,000 either, that is for sure.
I don't read to much into it, I change it when it tells me to (ish) or when my mileage gets close to 10,000 All my vehicles are 10,000 intervals.
They are almost 10 years old now since new. Can't be said i do something wrong. Or can be, Don't matter. I am not dumping good oil. Definitely not going to 15,000 either, that is for sure.
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