When to change the oil?
01-13-2011, 04:58 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 25
When to change the oil?
I remember my father saying,
"Oil change at 3000 miles,was to be the 11th commandment but Moses ran out of room".
I think I break out in hives if my car get above 3000 with
no oil change.
So now,my 2010 v6 maintenance schedule says change oil at 5000 mile,and I imagine the oil sensing device will say the same thing.
I've read that its all new technology in engines and oil today,it is acceptable to go 5000.
Would someone confirm that there Mustang is happy with the 5000 mile oil change?
Thanks for the replies,
Brian
"Oil change at 3000 miles,was to be the 11th commandment but Moses ran out of room".
I think I break out in hives if my car get above 3000 with
no oil change.
So now,my 2010 v6 maintenance schedule says change oil at 5000 mile,and I imagine the oil sensing device will say the same thing.
I've read that its all new technology in engines and oil today,it is acceptable to go 5000.
Would someone confirm that there Mustang is happy with the 5000 mile oil change?
Thanks for the replies,
Brian
01-13-2011, 05:37 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 25
I drive mostly highway and threw town and main roads,
no dusty goat trails!
I have to read the manual but I think the computer
can be reset to adjust the % of oil life.
When you get down to it,I don't care what the computer says,I'm hoping for others real life experience.
no dusty goat trails!
I have to read the manual but I think the computer
can be reset to adjust the % of oil life.
When you get down to it,I don't care what the computer says,I'm hoping for others real life experience.
01-13-2011, 05:46 PM
#4
6th Gear Member
3000 mile oil changes is old school using dino oils. Our Stangs come from the factory with synthetic blend and according to YOUR Owners Manual, Ford recommends 7500 miles.
But a lot depends on if you're driving a lot of short trips, stop-n-go or really beating the engine. If your average trip is 10 miles or more and you occsionally do a longer drive at cruising speeds, then 7000-7500 miles on the blend and OE filter are doable. I'm using full syn and change my oil at 10,000 miles.
But a lot depends on if you're driving a lot of short trips, stop-n-go or really beating the engine. If your average trip is 10 miles or more and you occsionally do a longer drive at cruising speeds, then 7000-7500 miles on the blend and OE filter are doable. I'm using full syn and change my oil at 10,000 miles.
01-13-2011, 06:29 PM
#6
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,215
I run AMSOil and go over 7500 a change. Here is the best rule of thumb: if it's dirty, change it. 
If there are a lot of particles in your oil when you check the dip stick with a clean towel/cloth or if you can tell your oil is thinning (usually my queue to change it) then change it. I ran AMSOil in my 99 Passat for 10k a change and only changed it because the viscosity was changing over use.
If there are a lot of particles in your oil when you check the dip stick with a clean towel/cloth or if you can tell your oil is thinning (usually my queue to change it) then change it. I ran AMSOil in my 99 Passat for 10k a change and only changed it because the viscosity was changing over use.
01-13-2011, 06:58 PM
#7
6th Gear Member
...the best rule of thumb: if it's dirty, change it.
If there are a lot of particles in your oil when you check the dip stick with a clean towel/cloth or if you can tell your oil is thinning (usually my queue to change it) then change it. I ran AMSOil in my 99 Passat for 10k a change and only changed it because the viscosity was changing over use.
If there are a lot of particles in your oil when you check the dip stick with a clean towel/cloth or if you can tell your oil is thinning (usually my queue to change it) then change it. I ran AMSOil in my 99 Passat for 10k a change and only changed it because the viscosity was changing over use.
01-13-2011, 08:11 PM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 276
Dark oil simply means the detergent package is doing it's job of keeping the dirt and contaminates emulsified. If your oil is not getting dark and fairly quickly I would seriously consider changing to a better oil with a better detergent package.
That said in the case of full synthetics the oil itself has very little to no breakdown but it can become saturated with dirt and contaminates. The factory 7500 mile oils changed is totally acceptable in a stock engine using a factory style synthetic blend. Using full synthetic there is really no reason not to go to 10,000 mile as long as you are using an extend life oil filter like the stock Motorcraft FL-820-S or Amsoil EaO11 both of which get about the highest ratings possible in independent test.
The other factor would be if you are running boost. Boosted engines tend to create more blow by which will contaminate the oil quicker. I change my oil every 5000 mile just for that reason. I also run Amsoil 100% synthetic oil.
My 4.0 V6 has 130,000 miles on it 100,000 miles of which have been with running a supercharger and it is still going strong!
That said in the case of full synthetics the oil itself has very little to no breakdown but it can become saturated with dirt and contaminates. The factory 7500 mile oils changed is totally acceptable in a stock engine using a factory style synthetic blend. Using full synthetic there is really no reason not to go to 10,000 mile as long as you are using an extend life oil filter like the stock Motorcraft FL-820-S or Amsoil EaO11 both of which get about the highest ratings possible in independent test.
The other factor would be if you are running boost. Boosted engines tend to create more blow by which will contaminate the oil quicker. I change my oil every 5000 mile just for that reason. I also run Amsoil 100% synthetic oil.
My 4.0 V6 has 130,000 miles on it 100,000 miles of which have been with running a supercharger and it is still going strong!
Last edited by Nice Pony; 01-13-2011 at 08:17 PM.
01-13-2011, 08:13 PM
#9
Moderator
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Michigan again!
Posts: 8,579
I change mine at about 5,000 - but I have been extending it out to 6,000 based upon the oil analysis results from Blackstone Labs (I send them a sample about every third oil change). They have suggested I could probably go even further based upon the wear results. I use the Mobil 50/50 blend
01-13-2011, 08:36 PM
#10
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,215
I don't get my oil tested. If it looks dirty (why recycle particles?), I change it. If it feels thin, I change it.
Results: car feels better, in my mind that is good enough for me.
So unless you test your oil, I still stand by how I do it.
Nice pony: on an aside, how much was the 6 speed swap and what tranny did you use?
Results: car feels better, in my mind that is good enough for me.
So unless you test your oil, I still stand by how I do it.
Nice pony: on an aside, how much was the 6 speed swap and what tranny did you use?
Last edited by JCON; 01-13-2011 at 08:43 PM.