When I was a lot younger, I had this dream that someday I would buy myself a classic car, learn how to fix the engine, and drive from the east coast to the west coast.

Now I'm a little older (26), have me a classic car (well '06 Mustang V-6 convertible), but never got the chance to go crosscountry in her. And the only thing I know how to do is change a flat, by virtue of being in the Army. In six weeks, the boyfriend's coming home on leave and we're taking my girl from San Diego to Napa Valley, so I might get my roadtrip fix (yeah right, already went from here to Santa Barbara/Ventura County and I still want more!), but I want to learn at least one thing.

I have about 1500 miles left before my next oil change. Since I have access to a garage on one of the Marine Corps bases, I'm wondering what kind of oil I should buy. Cost isn't a factor; I only want the best for my baby. I don't drive her as much as I did my '02 Focus SW (that car did me right), but I do plan on keeping my car for a long time.

So what oil do you recommend and how much?

Thanks!

 

If you have over 1500 miles on your Pony (this number is often a personal preference), I would consider switching to a synthetic, like Mobil 1. Our V6's use 5W-30 oil. Some engines burn/use synthetic oil a little more than standard mineral based oil. So check your oil levelfrequently to see if your engine is in this category.It's my understanding that this is because the oil is so slippery it more easily slips past the rings and seals.

I like synthetic because it doesn't break down as fast as mineral based oil and I only change my oil at the manufacture's suggested maintenance level. I did get 326,000 miles out of our last car, a 1990 Integra doing just standard oil changes (the guy that bought it says it is still running great).

BTW, nice convertible. You wouldn't have a hard time finding a guy to change your flat tire(hope my wife doesn't read this)

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I always add Lucas synthetic oil stabilizer to my synthetic oil when I change it - 4 quarts oil, 1 quart Lucas. Supposed to help eliminate dry starts, which are a big cause of engine wear. As far as synthetic oil, I hear Royal Purple is the shiznit, but I just use Pennzoil Platinum because it's readily available.

 

definatly use synthetic. i switched mine over a while ago and love it. STRONGLY recomend it.

 

Bottom line, use a namebrand product (synthetic or conventional), change it when prescribed and always change the oil filter when you do the oil.

I ride motorcycles and most of us use synthetic oil (my choice is a motorcycle specific oil made by AMSOIL). The oil in a motorcycle lubricates the transmission gears AND the engine crankcase, making the use of synthetic more of a necessity.

A car motor can do fine for years and 100's of thousands of miles with conventional oil. If you do conventional, change it more frequently. The synthetics can be left in therefor longer periods of time and often cost twice as much as conventional oils.

If you are going to run synthetic, do it early in the break in of the motor and then don't go back to conventional. You can't put synthetic into an older, high mileage engine without expecting some excessive oil burning and leaking through the aging valve seals.

 

I did my first oil change on my '07 Pony today. The details are here

https://mustangforums.com/m_3404490/tm.htm

I only have 224 miles on her, but it's at the 6 month point. Still using synthetic blend oil because I don't think the engine is fully broken in yet.