Nuke

What does Ford call for in your OM? I believe ALL of the S197 V6's and V8's call for 5W.


As far as oil change frequency, many many people change their oil too early. But other than just wasting money, it doesn't hurt. Oil change frequencies are not balck-and-white as each persons driving habits plus your environment will require you to adjust accordingly. But typical rules of thumb are:

• Dino oil - every 3,000 miles or 6 months
• Synthetic blend - every 5,000-7,500 miles or every 6 months
• Full synthetic - every 8,000-15,000 miles or every year

Frequent short trips, beating/racing, dusty environment are a few of the variables.

I've followed that methodology for over 30 years. Irregardless of dino, blend or full syn, every engine I had ran just as well up to and beyond 200,000 miles. Just be sure to use a decent oil filter at each oil change. And doing it yourself is easy, helps you bond with your car and saves time and $$.

svastano

I use the motorcraft both oil & filter. Change out every 3000 but the car sit most of the winter so it rounds out to be changing oil 1 time a year.

2005Redfire6

You only drive 3000 miles a year? Thanks Nuke for clarifying that.

Twstones

I've used Penzoil forever, never had a problem, and change the filter every time. I use a little trick a friend told me about. I change the oil every 3,333 miles. (13,3333-16,6666-20,000-23,333 and so on) That way I never have to write it down and I never forget.

teetertotter

Mobil 1 full synthetic, change every 10K and could go 15K. Independent lab report 5 years ago, says Dino oil does not begin to break down until 6K normal driving conditions. Use Tier 1 gasoline and still get 28+mpg hwy with 106K miles. Usually Shell 87 for both our cars.
My 2 cents