mxzdoo
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Oil Changes
Gentleman, Just out of curiosity, how often do most of you change your oil? I just wanted to see what the average was. I've been changing mine since new between 3000-3500 mi. My 97 4x ext cab now has 251,000 & change and believe it or not when I check the oil every 1500mi then 3000mi just before I change it, the oil dosen't move on the dip stick from full. Trans is still original too, but I think in the fall I'll probably install a new one just before towing the sleds north in the Winter. I can see how these motors can easily hit over 500, 000 mi. I will definitely buy another one when the time comes.
Last edited by mxzdoo; Jun 10, 2005 at 01:38 PM. Reason: title change
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 824
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From: Helotes, Texas
I've been wanting to change my torque converter and install the Sonnax valve and tricumulator springs, but I'm not sure if I oughta rebuild the tranny at the same time. I,d love to buy a beefed up aftermarket like a BTS or B&M, but they sure are expensive... Is this your first fluid change/flush?
Max
Max
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
From: N. Georgia
Oil change every 5000 miles. Transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles.
Excellent mileage on your truck. I hope mine gets that many with no problems. Congrats!
Joe
Excellent mileage on your truck. I hope mine gets that many with no problems. Congrats!
Joe
Last edited by JOE-M; Jun 10, 2005 at 07:19 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: Prince George, BC
i change my engine oil every 6000km (3750 mi) religiously with delo 400 15-40 and delo 0-30 syn in the winter.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 119
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From: Missouri
Every 4 to 5000 with rotella synthetic. No problems so far. Since I've had it which I bought it at 56,000 I changed tranny fluid at about 80,xxx and now I am changing it again at 116,xx
but that is to take care of a minor leak) and is the original tranny.
but that is to take care of a minor leak) and is the original tranny.
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Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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I am doing every 3-5k depending to when i can get around to it. I dont go past 5k for sure. Im running rotella-T 15-40 as recommended by ford. I bought truck w/ 150k and dont know if the tranny has ever been service. I dont think so, so i put an additive in it. I have been told it is not really a good idea to service the rear end and tranny as often as recommended. of course, different strokes for different folks.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 316
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I usually change the filter and top off at 4500-5000 and then change at 10000. That is with Rotella Synthetic. I checked it yesterday with 8600 on it and it is still almost clear. That is after a 2800 mile trip at 2500 rpm through a few mountains.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: Pasco, WA
After blowing up my trans at 207k & 2 oil changes, I now change its juice every 20k-30k, depending on the amount of work I've made it do. Rear-end lube was changed at 100k & when I replaced the trans. Ended up with a complete rear-end rebuild at 292k because a Ford dummy didn't know how to line up used gears.
If you don't change the gear lube, you're asking for trouble; there's a fair amount of wear happening in the back end, and all that metal has to go somewhere. The magnet in the side plug will only hold so much...
If you don't change the gear lube, you're asking for trouble; there's a fair amount of wear happening in the back end, and all that metal has to go somewhere. The magnet in the side plug will only hold so much...
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Trans fluid change
Yes this was my first fluid change. I took it to a trans shop here in Michigan. The guy said nothing was burnt and the fluid was getting dirty, but was still a nice medium red color. Seems to shift smoother the more I drive it. One of the guy's I worked with here at Ford was a Nascar crew chief and said if I didn't change it by 50k it was my call, but he said he wouldn't change it till it started to shift a little harder. I think I have just been pretty lucky with this trans. I don't tow excessive loads, but don't totally baby it either.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
I typically run my OCI's as per the owners manual. The tranny gets changed every 30K mi.
As far as trannys shifting smoother...., guys, thats the very last thing you want! Smooth shifts means the tranny is slipping. Your stock shifts will be smoother than a chipped truck, but they still should be somewhat firm.
All in all, it is prolly just a matter of user interpertation, and the truck is really shifting as it should.
As far as trannys shifting smoother...., guys, thats the very last thing you want! Smooth shifts means the tranny is slipping. Your stock shifts will be smoother than a chipped truck, but they still should be somewhat firm.
All in all, it is prolly just a matter of user interpertation, and the truck is really shifting as it should.