3K miles and haven't lost a drop yet.

 

I had my oil changed at 3K miles, I am now almost at 4500 miles. Seeing that the dealer shorts you 2 quarts because they do not allow all the oil to settle to accept the final two quarts, I am going to check my oil tomorrow twice: once before I start it in the morning when all the oild is still i the pan, and again in the afternoon, right after I come home from work having driven my car for about 30-45 min.

 

When I checked my oil, it was about an hour after a 20 mile drive... should I check it right afterwards I get home?

 

Just right after when the car is fully warmed up to its operating temps.

The check when the engine is cold is meant to make sure all 8 quarts are there when the engine is cold. This should tell you the actual amount of oil in the car because the oil has dripped off all the parts and collected in the pan.

However, the check when the engine is at operating temps might fool you into thinking the engine has all 8 quarts because of a number of reasons: The oil expands from heat (this is very minimal since oil is supposed to resist that otherwise it will all evaporate away too damn fast), but in particular, the oil is pushed into all the other parts of the engine: Into all the oil galleries and all the moving part journals and bearings, into the lifters/valve lash adjusters, into the TiVCT units, etc.

 

Mileage is getting close to 15000 now. I've changed the oil twice once at the 7500, filled it up with Motorcraft SynBlend. At 12500 I filled it up with Motocraft Full Syn. I didn't notice any oil being used up. I do know that when you pour in a full 8 quarts, the oil will touch the top of the dipstick line. After you drive the car a bit and check again, the oil will center on the dipstick. So fill with all 8 quarts!

 

Checked mine yesterday and to my astonishment (now with 4k miles), it was well below the minimum mark. Like, there was oil maybe 6mm up from the end of the dip stick. I added two quarts and still need to re-check it because i wanted to run it and then wait for it to settle.

 

I was told by my dealer that these engines take 5W20 Semi Synthetic Motorcraft oil. However I have some Royal Purple 5W20 that I just bought for this new 5.0 when I do my first change. Full Synthetic. Double check me but I believe 5W20 is what is suppose to be used in the newer Ford engines.
Phil

 

You do not need to use semi-synth, you can use full synth just like Royal Purple.
And you do not have to use 5W20, you can use 5W30 too.

also, don't let the dealer trick you into believing that using non-Motorcraft oil will void your warranty. If something goes wrong with your engine, Ford will have to prove that the oil you used is what caused the problem.

 

Was at the dealer today and the service ticket says 5 quarts...I swear they mentioned that it took "extra" oil. The dip stick shows full but I would like to read that on the ticket as well. Wouldn't a light go on if the oil was low...or the pressure reading?

 

Called them and tech said he put in over 7 quarts but their "service codes" have not been updated yet...... So anyway no problems but remember they haven't computerized the dip sticks yet so you can always check that.