HitandRunDriver

Going to take some down time later this week to do my first oil change since I bought my mustang at 19k miles, she'll be just about at 21k. In addition I'm also going to clean the TB and the MAF while i'm under the hood. I know the 4.6 takes 6 quarts for a full change and I'm going to be running synthetic. What oil/filter do you guys use on your mustang?

Also, on my old tahoe after I'd change the oil, on startup my hoe would flash a change oil message at me that I would reset by turning the key to "ON" and pumping the gas 5 times and then turning it off. Is there any such method on the S197's or can i just use the reset button on the console?

Nuke

The 4.0 and 4.6L S197's come from the factory with Motorcraft 5W-20 synthetic blend which is good for the Ford-recommended 7500 miles. That's fine if you don't do a lot of stop and go driving. Also, the stock Motorcraft filter has been touted as good for that 7500 miles. My V6 is on a 7000 mile or 6 month frequency using the Motorcraft blend and OE filter but my GT is on an 8,000-10,000 mile or 1 year frequency with Amsoil 0W20 and Amsoil Ea filter.

There's no on-board oil change reminder. And 6 quarts is correct.

HitandRunDriver

I'd say currently I do 70-30 highway to city driving, and in the summer it will probably drop to about 55-45 h/c. I do want to use a full synthetic however...I understand Ford recommends Motorcraft, but I'm going to stick to a 5000 mi change schedule and use another oil...Royal Purple is probably overkill on my application, I may look into valvoline full syn unless I'm prompted to stay away from it.

highline

in the same first change boat...nuke why do you run ow20 instead of the recommended 5w-20? Can i go to ford and purchase their syn blend and filter?

PSUSkier

I know at a minimum you can get it at Advance Auto Parts and likely most other stores that sell oil as well as the filters.

Nuke

The type of Amsoil synthetic oil that I prefer is recommended by them in 0W20. Others are tunning this oil, also. I trust Amsoil's recommendation.

Yes, you can but it's a lot cheaper at WalMart for both the oil and filter. The Motorcraft filter is P/N FL-820S if I recall. You can confirm that in the OM.

Nuke

IMO, any synthetic blend is overkill if you're not killling the car at the track and are changing it at 5k miles. But if you insist on synthetic, then most any other, less expensive name brand would certainly be more economical.

Another 2 very good oils that seems to get a lot of kudos are Pennzoil's Ultra and Platinum. I've been using Mobil1 in my SUV (tow vehicle) but have some Ultra sitting on my shelf for the next oil change. But again, most any name brand is fine. I just can't see throwing money away on full syn at such early oil changes. The main benefit of full syn is extended oil change frequency. In all the years and all the vehicles in which I've used full syn, my earliest oil changes with full syn were about 8k miles and only due to severe towing duty.

Goldenpony

+1 on the Pennzoil Ultra. I am currently using the 5W20 Ultra. It is kind of hard to find though. I have 17 qts. on the shelf for my '6 GT and wifey's '08 MX5 Miata. I also agree Amsoil 0W20 is a top shelf oil.
Filter? I like Purolator Pure One or Motorcraft. Amsoil filters, very good.

HitandRunDriver

I ended up settling on Mobil 1 syn and filter because of the crap selection they had at autozone...I know some people may say synthetic is a bit of an overkill, but for me its an extra insurance policy