Smooth_J

My car will be hitting 15k this week and I am going to change the oil. Should I continue to use fords 5w20 blend like I have been using or go ford full synthetic? Also, should I change the viscosity since I live in NJ and its around 20F right now?

Thanks all!

Margarita Girl

I switched to full synthetic 4 years ago and it's all good. Less changing. Keep the orig oil weight.

joutcelt

i do the same as margarita girl

Mudflap

You won't notice a difference between the Motorcraft blend and full synthetic, so buy whatever you feel like you can justify. I just went with Pennzoil Platinum in mine last week on my yearly oil change, even though I'm a firm believer that the interval and filter is what makes the difference. I had Mobil1 in there from last December after the blower install. I've had around 25 different vehicles now, and I've run synthetic in several of them... and I just don't have a shred of evidence to prove that it ever made a damn bit of difference. I don't believe it did. I put synthetic in this one figuring its got a blower, but I still think it was unnecessary. I only put on 1500 miles a year though, and the oil gets changed once, so who cares on cost. Just make sure you buy a good filter. I've been using the K&N filters for years with no problems, and I love the nut they build into the top of it for easy removal. $12 at Autozone for that thing. Stick with 5/20 IMO.

Nuke

I hope this isn't the Stang's first oil change in 15,000 miles.

If you use the search you'll find all the info you never wanted to know.

Lot's of opinions here. But coming from an older member that has maintained his own 12 or more cars with many going over 200,000 miles with no oil related issues...

You can get the same engine life and reliability from dino oil that you can from blends or full syns. Dino should be changed at 3,000 mile intervals. Synthetic blends, providing you're not beating the car and/or driving a LOT of short stop-ang-go trips, are good for 5,000-7,500 miles or 6-8 months. Full synthetics are good for 10,000 miles or longer or 1 year or more.

Your decision should be based on your driving style and how often you want to get under the Stang. IMO, there's nothing wrong with staying with the 5W20 Motorcraft blend and Motorcraft oil filter, since that's what the car comes with from the factory anyway. Both are inexpensive and readily available at WallyWorld. And if you check the Owners Manual, you'll find the 5W20 is suitable for much colder than NJ. I'm in the Chicago area and we get a lot colder than NJ (I know because I lived in PA and NJ for over 50 years).

Smooth_J

Nope, I have done several so far, but awhile ago I was told to switch to synthetic after 15K. Thats the main reason for the question.

Thanks everyone for getting back to me, I am going to stay with the 5w-20 blend and just do my normal 4.5-5k change.

This car is my DD and I usually do around 10K-15K per year. I travel 90% highway for work, and 10% rural so I should be good (I hope). At times I do have fun and a bit faster than 80, but thats not as common as it used to be.

6+6 Stang

agreeing with nuke on synth's for mileage, I'm running m1-210 mobile1 filter and 5w20 mobile1 synth. going w/ 8,000 mile change out.

Nuke

Under those driving conditions you can go longer on the blend but if you're more comfortable with a shorter interval, that's your call.

svtsupremecy

Just put in some Mobil 1 5w20 and Motorcraft filters (or whatever) and call it a day.....I change my oil every 3,000 or so because I get it for free. Otherwise i would say every 3-5,000 miles if you beat on it pretty good like I do.