When to have first service?
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Oil change
I just changed my oil at 5,000 like the manual said. These trucks only use synethic oil. I have a 2004 f150 xl. My oil was still very clean after 5,000. Changeing every 3,000 is a waste of money with synethic oil. Not to mention that if you took it to a place to get your oil changed it would be $50-$60. It cost me $18 to do it myself.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
My truck has 2300 miles and is on its 3rd "set" of oil.
Motor oil is cheap. First change was 1000miles. (dealership ((not Ford)) I bought it from put in 10W-30 & a Fram.
) At 1300 I switched back to 5W-20 MC.
I don't know...I'd change at 3K and again at 5K. Just me, though...
Motor oil is cheap. First change was 1000miles. (dealership ((not Ford)) I bought it from put in 10W-30 & a Fram.
) At 1300 I switched back to 5W-20 MC.I don't know...I'd change at 3K and again at 5K. Just me, though...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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Likes: 1
I would suggest changing oil somewhere around the 1500 mile mark. The engine is new and will use some of the additive package in the oil to "plate up" the engine. The engine can suffer from additve depletion which can accelerate wear. The most "break-in" wear is in the first 1500 so it is a good idea to get rid of the fine metal pieces. The engine is also going to have junk in it from the manfacturing process that is floating around in the first oil that it sees so it is a good idea to change the first time early. Then go to a 5000 mile OCI. Your engine requires a 153-H or 929 rated oil, the oils are designed to go the distance with no problems and are a synthetic blend at minimum.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
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First oil change at 1000 miles, second at 3000, third at 5000 miles at 10,000 miles I switched to a full synthetic. Used 303 early on on all the interior plastic, and soaked the rubber weatherstripping with 303. Lubed the locks early on, and pulled all the wheels and never seized the studs. If its a 4wd, might want to pull the discs and use a light coating of never seize on the mating surface. My caliper slides had no caliper grease on them, so I took care of that. Greatly reduced the brake dust. If it sat on the lot for awhile good idea to run some "dry gas" thru the tank. Also I usually replace wiper inserts early on as the OEM ones are usually pretty bad. There is a maintenance manually in your owners pouch, I would get in the habit of doing the service and checking it off.
Last edited by Aftrmidnite; Dec 17, 2004 at 07:22 AM.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14
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My own oil change?
The dealer i bought my 04 scab from implied that changing my own oil may affect my warranty. I don't really believe him but Im conserned all the same. I have never paid for an oil change so am not excited about starting now. Should I worry about this? Also, I have read here that I should be using synthetic oil but I don't believe that this is what is in the truck now. I only have 1500 miles so now is the time to convert if it's the best idea. What do you guys think?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 20
I'm not an expert on oil type verses engine wear in, but I was told to use regular oil at first to wear in the rings, and other parts. I've always put a lot of miles on a vehicle before junking it and have never had engine problems, except for a Datsun 1200, that was rebuilt at 180K and a Dodge Mitsubusi Challenger that had bad valve "O" rings that were replaced at over 100K. Your dealer is full of it, about the oil changes, if you are worried keep your receipts. As long as you are keeping to the maintainence schedule they can't say much.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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Ford spec is limited to a few oils, with more getting on board. Motorcraft synthetic blend 5W-20 has the WSS-M2C153-H spec and is the oil used by Ford. It's $1.42 qt.. Can't see how changing your own oil will void warranty, just keep the receipts for the purchased oil and filter, and document it's mileage. Change it per the owners manual.
If you read the owners manual the first oil change is not needed until 5,000 miles. Dealerships say elsewise and shorten this to get the revenue.
If you read the owners manual the first oil change is not needed until 5,000 miles. Dealerships say elsewise and shorten this to get the revenue.
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