Change the oil now if you want to keep your warranty. You need to change at 5,000 miles or 5 months whichever comes first.

 

The place I have mine changed puts the sticker at 6,000 or every 6 months. I use the Lucas full synthetic.

 

FNA - Do I still have time??? didn't see the time restriction. HELP

 

It doesn't matter what they say, Ford Motor Company says 5,000 miles or 5 months whichever comes first. Its Fords maintenance and warranty policy. Many people on this forum change more frequently... not less.

 

DOES HE STILL HAVE TIME ASSUMING HE BOUGHT SEPTEMBER 1, 2006!!!!!!!!! - If he takes it in tomorrow? I think that is what he wants to know!!!!!! Please help him if you can!!

Help Him!

 

Pretty damn tough to tell how your oil (and engine) are holding up just by looking at it, or smelling it, or tasting it...[:'(]

At any point you can pull a sample of the oil and send it in for analysis. Cost is between $15-$20 per analysis depending on which lab. This is the only sure way to see how your oil is holding up and to get a good idea of what is going on inside the engine.

You will get a better idea as to whether or not changing oil at 2,500 or 3,000 or 5,000 miles is best for your engine depending on the oil you use and your driving habits. Beats the hell out of throwing crap against the wall to see what sticks! [:-]

The only caveat is to stay within Fjord warranty guidlines even if your oil is holding up well. If you have an engine failure I gaurantee you THEY will be looking at change intervals and will send in a sample of the oil for analysis.

 

do you have a number or address for such a lab?

 

Let's put it this way ...

If I drive in stop-and-go traffic, I'd go with the "Special Operating Conditions" recommendations for oil changes - every 3,000 miles or 3 months (page 42 in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide). If something breaks, I wouldn't want Ford to say that I was involved in "extensive idling and/or low-speed driving" and claim the warranty is void because I followed the "Normal" schedule (5,000 miles or 5 months)!

 

This is an issue that will go on and on forever. It has been set in stone years ago to change oil every 3K, but times have changed and so has the quality of the oils of today. If you are dead set on changing oil every 3K then do it. I use the MotorCraft syn/blend and change mine every 5K and have not had any problems. If you go full synthetic and dump it every 3K you are pouring $ out into the pan IMO. If you do change your own oil changes you do need to keep all receipts for proof for the warranty. I used to change my own, but it is way too easy to have it changed and keep the records. Now the trouble is finding a responsible place to do this without making a mess of your car. I switched back to the dealership which is a little bit more expensive, but atleast they keep their dirty hand prints off my car.

 

Change it as often as you want if it makes you feel better. I changed mine at 500 miles and then at 1800 miles and after I get it out of storage this springit will be changed again at about 2000 miles and will be full synthetic. I am particular and have always changed the oil every 3000 miles and have a previous car that went 200,000 miles and I believe that frequent oil changes worked for me. Money is no object when it comes to my stang and i only put 1800 miles on it last year and this year if i hit 3000 more miles I will be suprised. Michigan weather is crap and I only drive on nice days and for shows. I feel the 5000 mile mark is fine and as long as you have receipts for oil and filter for warranty purposes continue to do your own oil changes. The less I bring my car to the dealer the less chance they can fu@# things up! JMO J