info. for oil change?

[paulette lopez 2]

i want to do an OIL CHANGE on my 05 ST, i want to know from all of you what is the best oil to use. and oil filter. the owners manual says stay with the ford motor craft. so i want to know whats the best. i'v had my truck sence january of 06 and i never done an oil change on it.. its running fine.. and the oil looks good. but i know i should do an oil change and filter too... thanks for any help you all give me...

 

[TomT]

It's been a year since you've changed the oil? If your using dyno then you should probably be changing it every 6 months. As for oil and filter, it's very subjective. Everyone has their own personal favorite. The consensus is to stay away from Fram filters other then that, anything goes.

 

[Bill Ellis]

Use the Motorcraft oil and filter and you'll be fine.

 

[Alex Gonzalez]

I think you'll be getting a lot of varying opinions here--most of which will all be good. I change my oil and oil filter every 5k (give or take a few hundred miles). I'm just under 36k on my '03 and just changed my oil/filter yesterday. Since my first oil/filter change I've been using Valvoline 5w30 (5 qts) and the Motorcraft FL-820S filter.



You'll get a lot of recommendations for Mobil 1 synthetic as well as Royal Purple. As I start to get into the higher mileage range (60k/75k), I will be switching to a synthetic oil.



I guess I should point out that I decided to use Valvoline as I noticed many dealer service shops were using it--though I think most, if not all, Ford service shops will use Motorcraft oil. And btw... the Motorcraft filter can be found at Wal*Mart for pretty cheap.

 

[Judd Quarles]

I also use Valvoline 5W-30 with the Motorcraft filter...I change about every 4500 miles or so just to stay safe.

 

[2]

Umm, I think it is more important that you do oil changes than worrying about what type to use. How many miles did you drive in that year that you didn't change your oil? I just use the motorcraft oil and filter and change mine per the recommended Ford intervals.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Mobil 1 5w30 Extended Performance plus Mobil 1 filter. Change both once a year or every 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.



Problem solved.

 

[paulette lopez 2]

thanks for the advice. when i bought the ST. it had 16,366. and now it has around 23,449 i dont drive far. just to and from work and thats only 4 miles from home. and not much freeway driving.. just to and from the store from time to time.. i know that city driving is worse than freeway. bu"t like i stated. ST is running good. so i guess i'll do the oil this weekend.. and i'll probably use motorcraft oil and filter. i'll go o the dealer to get them.. dont mind paying a little more.. thanks again for the advice.....

 

[TomT]

good site about oil changes:

 

[Johnny O]

Wal-Mart has Motorcraft oil and filters for way less money than a dealer will charge, assuming you'll change your own. I'm one of those nutty people who sends his used oil to a lab for analysis. Thus far I've got the best results with Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic. Mobil 1 Truck & SUV didn't show all that good actually, although regular Mobil 1 looked good in the Ranger I had before with the same engine.

How often you change it is a lot more important than what you use. The book says every 5000 miles. Motorcraft is a very good filter for the money.

If you don't put a lot of miles on and do short trips, change the oil every 3000 miles or every 6 months regardless of mileage.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Go get your oil and filter changed by this weekend, whether you do it yourself or if you get Gyppy Lube or some other service to do it.



Your truck needs its oil changed!



If you haven't changed your air filter since you got it, it probably needs changing too.



You should also get your fuel filter changed.



Take care of your truck!

 

[Gerald Pierce]

thanks for the advice. when i bought the ST. it had 16,366. and now it has around 23,449 i dont drive far. just to and from work and thats only 4 miles from home. and not much freeway driving.. just to and from the store from time to time.. i know that city driving is worse than freeway. bu"t like i stated. ST is running good. so i guess i'll do the oil this weekend.. and i'll probably use motorcraft oil and filter. i'll go o the dealer to get them.. dont mind paying a little more.. thanks again for the advice.....

This is even harder than the highway. Get the oil changed, anywhere if you don't have the ability to do it yourself. I use Walmart a lot, for 15.88 or whatever it is, it is usually worth it to me. Once in a while, I do it myself, just so I can get under the truck and inspect. Make sure they use the right weight of oil....

 

[Richard L]

Ladybug,

It doesn't matter which brand of oil you purchase. People all have different preferences just like opinions.



The only thing you need to concern yourself with that you used quality brands of oil an filters and that you select an oil with the proper API rating that matches your vehicles requirements. As for oil viscosity, you can use 5W/20, 5W/30, or even 10W/30.



I use Mobil-1 synthetic 5W/20.



...Rich

 

[douglas brandin 2]

I use Mobil 1 and Ford filter in my '05. I am going to change to Motorcraft synthetic oil next time. If for no other reason, it's cheaper. If nothing else, they can't void your warranty for using a filter Ford doesn't recommend. Wal-mart carries both locally............doug

 

[Johnny O]

Ladybug, if you do not put a lot of miles on then I'd recommend changing the oil every 6 months regardless of mileage. When oil does not often get up to full operating temperature it cannot dissolve the deposits, dirt, etc., and sludge builds up. You do not need synthetic oil, just a quality conventional would be fine. Assuming you have yearly vehicle inspections where you live, changing the oil then and marking a date on the calender 6 months away to do it again is an easy way to remember.

 

[paulette lopez 2]

Hi everyone.. just wanted to update you all.... as of this saturday feb 3rd my ST is going in for it oil & filter, and fuel filter change. i made the appointment for saturday morning early.. just so you all know its going to be bugging me alot until i get it done.. and i promise not to wait so long to have it done again. either 3,000 miles or 6months which ever comes first... time just got away from me on this.. so the job is getting done this weekend... thanks for the advice.

 

[Gavin Allan]

GOOD FOR YOU! Your Trac will thank you!



Have the air filter checked-- I'll bet it is getting pretty well plugged.

 

[paulette lopez 2]

hey gavin the air filter thats the one thing i did change myself.. i change it a few time. but they we'rent that dirty.. but i figured what the heck... couldnt hurt. so the oil and oil filter is getting changed this weekend and having the fuel filter changed too.... and yes i will take care of my truck from now on... the time just flew by and i started to think wow i should get my oil and fuel filters changed. so im doing it this weekend.. thanks