Oil Change Question
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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Oil Change Question
My owners manual does not mention a break in oil change. Will it be a waste of time changing the oil after the first 500 miles? Also my owners manual says it is best to use 5W-20 Synthetic Blend oil. I dont mind spending the extra money if it is worth it. Should I use a fully synthetic oil, a blend, or plain oil. I use the truck for light driving and rarely tow or haul anything.
Thanks
Mike
2004 F-150 Supercab 5.4 Lariat
Thanks
Mike
2004 F-150 Supercab 5.4 Lariat
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
This is an-going argument, especially in the Oil and Lubrication forum. You certainly can't do any damage by changing it at 500 miles, but I don't think it's necessary. Having said THAT, at least 50 FTE'rs will now swoop down on this thread and virtually beat the crap out of me. "Gotta get the filings out!," and other such things.
Your truck was equipped with 5-20 synthetic blend at the plant, and that's what you should continue to use. It's exactly what the engine was designed to run on, and will give you the best gas mileage. Please don't use this oil in older engines, though- they weren't designed for it, and it will evaporate in no time. I found that out the hard way........
Your truck was equipped with 5-20 synthetic blend at the plant, and that's what you should continue to use. It's exactly what the engine was designed to run on, and will give you the best gas mileage. Please don't use this oil in older engines, though- they weren't designed for it, and it will evaporate in no time. I found that out the hard way........
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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I am planning on changing mine at 1,000 miles. I have always changed the first one at 1000 miles and will continue to as form of habit. Probably nothing wrong in this day and age to go to the 5000 mile mark but mines comming out at 1000.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 37
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From: Montana
I changed mine at the dealer under 500 miles. I have always done an early change to flush the system and continued my tradition this time. I hear from others on the forums that this engine has been particularly clear of metal shavings and other things, so, it is probably fine to change at 1000 miles.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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The factory fill oil in your new truck should be Motorcraft 5w-20 blend oil. It is a Gp II+, GpIII, and about 10% PAO basestock. It uses calcium as the main Extreme Pressure/ Anti-Wear agent. Because the engine is new, it will have a tendency to use up the additive package as the engine is "plating up" with the EP/AW agent. You will only need to short term the first oil change. I wouldn't run it passed 3500 miles. As to the "filings", your new truck comes from the factory with a filter made by Champion that meets Fords spec. It will filter particulates at the rate of 40 micron absolute, 10 micron at 95% single pass. This means that the filter will filter all particles at the 40 micron size. It will filter 95% of all particles in the 10 micron size in one pass thru the filter. For a particle to cause damage, it must exceed the 40 micron size. 1 micron is 1/1,000,000 of a meter.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 74
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From: Waxahachie TX
I bought my 04 last September and mentioned to the service manager that I planned to bring it in for the first oil change at about 1,000 miles. He said that everything was seated, sealed and contaminants removed from the engine before I ever saw the truck. "3,000 miles will be just fine." I took him at his word since he was passing up on earlier sales by telling me to wait. I've always used the recommended oil at 3,000 mi. intervals and NEVER had a major engine problem.
Just paid for a little earlier oil changes and never had to pay for the head to be pulled. Paid 3 or 4 cents per gallon for a major brand of gas and never had to buy new injectors or have the old ones cleaned. I like the easy payment plan.
I've got 3,900 miles on the SCab XLT 5.4 in Dark Shadow Grey. Still getting rubber-necked by Chevy drivers and still having to talk about it at lunch. Just lovin' every minute!
Just paid for a little earlier oil changes and never had to pay for the head to be pulled. Paid 3 or 4 cents per gallon for a major brand of gas and never had to buy new injectors or have the old ones cleaned. I like the easy payment plan.
I've got 3,900 miles on the SCab XLT 5.4 in Dark Shadow Grey. Still getting rubber-necked by Chevy drivers and still having to talk about it at lunch. Just lovin' every minute!
