Hi Guys,
I know this has been beaten to death,but Ive got a question...Bought an 07 F-150 from a local dealership,and they changed the oil prior to it going on the lot.Im sure they did NOT use Synthetic.
Im approaching the 3000 mile mark that I normally change the oil on all my vehicles(Filter too of course)...anyway,just bit the bullett and bought the FL400S filter,and the Motocraft SYN-Blend oil.
The truck has 38,000 miles on the clock...Now with that being said...The syn-blend is obviously more expensive,and Im wondering If I should stick to my life long rule of Oil/Filter changes every 3000 miles,or can I(SHOULD) I consider longer intervals between changes in light of the oil Ive bought.
The truck sees NO heavy use,and isnt even a daily driver,Most of the time its a month before I have to fill it up...Its a 4.2 Automatic LWB

Suggestions appreciated as always!

 

3,000-mile oil changes are a waste of time and money no matter what kind of oil you use. Synthetic oil is designed to last, but it doesn't do you any good if it’s in an oil change bucket instead of your crank case. Leave it in there and run a good filter.

I run Mobil 1 Long life Synthetic in my truck and will be changing the oil every 20,000km and the filter every 10,000km.

Remember....an oils "colour" or cleanlyness is no indication of its condition. If you're doing a lot of short distance travel where the engine isn't regularly allowed to come up to full operational temperature...or you spend a lot of time idling, then sure, change it out every 8,000-10,000 miles or so, but otherwise, leave it right where it is.

Let’s put it this way….Ford now recommends vehicle oil changes only twice per year to satisfy warranty claims. If Ford is willing to put their reputation on the line with that kind of backing behind their oil change intervals, it should be good enough for you to do the same.

 

I wouldn't worrie about it bro, i am towing and hauling every other week, i use synthetic and i still do longer intervals, how is that 4.2? my buddy use to have a 99 and never knew his truck took 5.7liters of oil he always put a standard 4.4l jug in and thought that was it. still that engine towed like a dream worked everyday

 

I like the little 4.2,had one in my 97 F-150 with an automatic behind it...It wasnt a powerhouse,but did WAY more hauling than it ever was designed to do.
When I got this 07,I checked the oil a few days after I got it,and sure enough it was a quart low..Needless to say the dealership didnt do their homework.
The only thing that it lacks is spunk,but Im used to it..the ole 97 was the same way.One has to realize however that a V-6 in a full size truck with an automatic behind it is gonna be used harder than its V-8 counterparts.I drive like the old fart I am,and she does JUST FINE! Thanks for the replys guys!

 

Look into AMSOIL....Hands down the best oil I have ever run in anything I own. Too many pro's to list; Look at their products online and get a package from a distributor. I have seen first hand what their synthetics do.

 

I tow with my truck at least 4 days a week if not more... My truck is in very good shape and i take very well care of it. And i change mine every 3k and i will always do so. Thats what i grew up doing and i will keep doing. I tow a 18 ft car trailer and a 30 ft toy hauler that when loaded is 8k lbs. my car trailer has anything from firewood to cars to ATV's on it..Weighting from 3-8 k lbs... This truck takes very good care of me and i take care of it. Different strokes for different folks...... So you can do as you feel comfortable doing...

Mark

 

Let’s put it this way….Ford now recommends vehicle oil changes only twice per year to satisfy warranty claims. If Ford is willing to put their reputation on the line with that kind of backing behind their oil change intervals, it should be good enough for you to do the same.[/quote]

Where did you find where Ford recomeds to change the oil twice a year? My oil change interval for the "normal" duty maintenance schedule is every 5 months or 5000 miles. How long should synthetic blend oil really last?

 

i change mine every 5000km I run the mobil 1 5 20 synthetice stuff. I like to make sure my truck is verry well taken care of so I dont care what kinda oil I got evey 5000km its in the oil change pail.

 

I run Motorcraft syn blend and change every 5,000 miles. Anything beyond 5,000 miles, synthetic, synthetic blend, or dino I would run a UOA, and for the cost of that, may as well change the oil. My advice is to do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I probably would not run synthetic any more than 5,000-6,000 miles myself.

 

bigdaddy, I'd make sure you are religious with the oil changes in that Ram of yours. The 4.7/3.7 has a tendency to sludge up and have issues with the lash adjusters and ticking. I stick to a 3,000 mile interval with my vehicles. I figure that oil is cheap and it is a good chance to get under the vehicle and look inspect everything and grease it.

 

I have been reading about the 4.7 liter sludge issues. My plan is a synthetic changed out between 3-5,000 miles. No more than 5,000 miles though.

 

Motorcraft oil/filter every 5K miles for the past 10 years or so in every ford I have.

 

I still use regular oil MC or Mobil1 and either MC, WIX or Napa old every 3K on the clock. My son uses synthetic and goes about 5k. I still think a regular fresh oil change is the single best thing you can do to your vehicle. Never get bored of answering this question.

 

I'm with the 3-4K crowd. Been on this schedule for 40 yrs of my driving life, and never had an engine prob in anything. My '05 gets Syn every change, and like CMK, I go over everything on the truck. That's why you prob won't see me broke down on the road somewhere. One extra oil change a yr is cheap insurance in my book.

 

Well Ive decided on the Syn-Blend with the Motorcraft FL400S every 5000 miles.Shes only got 38,00 showing on the clock,and at 5000 mile intervals,it will likely be this time next year before its due