My Ranger is a 2000 2.5L with 146,000 miles. I bought it with around 138,000. I drive about 8,000 miles a year. 8 miles one way to work, 3/4 of that is highway. Don't tow or off road with it. I'm running the MotorCraft synthetic blend 5W20. I've been changing it at 5,000, but thinking of going to twice a year. What do you all think?

 

I change my oil twice a year, with about the same total mileage, BUT most of my mileage is shorter trips of lower speed driving.

So, my drive cycle is a more severe service cycle than yours sounds like.

With most of your driving at highway speeds, the engine & oil would likely warm up to full opeating temp & the PCV system would be able to make a better crakcase purge of any condensates, so the oils base number would be less likely to be depleted over time.

An oil anayisis could tell you what's a safe OCI for your drive cycle, but I believe twice a year sounds plenty safe for your current drive cycle with the Motorcraft oil.

 

The recommended Ford schedule is 7,500 miles. I would keep doing what you are doing, switching to a more frequent schedule is not going to lengthen your engines life, but it will cost you more in oil.

 

Is there any tempature change issue in OK?

Might consider going to once a year.

Any oil consumption issue? Do you keep an eye on the level?

 

With the way you're driving it and the fact that you're using syn oil I would not hesitate to change the oil only at 7500 mile intervals unless you have other issues.
Twice a year is a waste of time and coin.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking I'll just keep to my 5,000 mile mark. It's easier to keep track of.