Oil Change Interval

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Feb 4, 2003 | 09:07 AM

jamesg

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Joined: Dec 2002

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From: Shamokin USA

Oil Change Interval

I know this has been beat to death, and I was just reading a thread about this. I have a 2003 F250SD. I bought the truck in late October. Coming up on three months of ownership. In the three months, I have put on only 790 miles. I don't drive the truck much. Ford recommends 3 months or 3000 miles. It will take me 6 months to put 3000 miles on this truck. Should I change the oil now? Sould I wait till 3000 miles?

Thanks

Jimmie

2003 F250SD 5.4 XLT 4X4 SB SC

Feb 4, 2003 | 09:45 AM

radar_ridr

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Oil Change Interval

I would change it in March when the weather starts to warm up. This would give about a six month interval assuming the truck did not sit around long before you bought it. It probably did not since it is an 03 bought in october. The new oil these days is a lot better than the stuff from 10 or 20 years ago. Also Ford is now using a semi-synthetic which should hold up pretty good.

As long as you have checked the oil once or twice you should be OK.

I have an econoline that I do not put a lot of miles on. A lot of the miles it does get are short trips, and it does some extra idling. So I have the oil changed every six months which is only 2000 miles usually.

Are you in Shamokin Dam?

Feb 4, 2003 | 12:59 PM

03f150man

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Joined: Jan 2003

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Oil Change Interval

for as long as i had ford factory warranty, i would follow recommended change interval as per the owner's manual.

Feb 4, 2003 | 02:15 PM

horsepuller

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Joined: Sep 2000

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From: Southern California

Oil Change Interval

3 months or 3000 miles sounds like a *severe duty* recommendation. Is that the only interval recommended for your truck? Is there a longer interval for 'normal service'?

Severe duty: Long periods of extended idleing, operation in extremely dusty conditions, operation in extreme cold, short trips, heavy trailer towing.

Feb 4, 2003 | 09:55 PM

jamesg

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Joined: Dec 2002

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From: Shamokin USA

Oil Change Interval

Radar, I live in Dam Shamokin. Shamokin Dam is down the road a bit.

I know the spec is for severe driving conditions, but if I read correctly, just about every condition up north is severe.

Jimmie

2003 F250SD 4X4 XLT SC SB

Feb 5, 2003 | 12:00 AM

radar_ridr

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 160

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Oil Change Interval

You could change it at 1,000 miles. Just for peace of mind... any less than that and you're liable to get some funny looks in the service department! unless you are DIY...

I drive through sham dam every now & then... good burger king there. too bad Lung Fung (!) chinese rest. is closed...