1st oil change

[Barrel]

I recall there used to be cautions on not changing factory oil too early or leaving it in too long. For this car the book only mentions going by the oil life monitor or roughly 10K miles/1 year.

What are the reasons for deviating from the manufacturer's recommendations in this case?

The book also mentions to change the oil before/after track events.

These are from the old days when they used break-in oil. Now that engines are built to satisfactory tolerances with superior metallurgy that's a thing of the past. These cars come with factory fill Motorcraft synthetic blend, same oil you'd pick up at a store or dealer.

Some guys want to change the oil at 500 miles, or 1000 miles, or 3000 miles. I think they're likely just paranoid. You're very likely fine with the first oil change at the 10k/12mo/OLM but for the first change I'd wait no longer than 5k/6mo/OLM for peace of mind. If for no other reason than to get a new filter on. Your engine might be one where the tolerances were off just enough that you have slightly more metal in the oil. This seems to split the difference nicely for me.

I have a 2017 Raptor that I'm not kind to. I have 4 oil changes in 33k miles. First change was at 9k miles (6 months) when the OLM and that oil was NASTY but I'm sure within tolerance. Throw in some towing and the OLM hasn't gotten me to 10k or 12 months since then.

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[michail71]

These are from the old days when they used break-in oil. Now that engines are built to satisfactory tolerances with superior metallurgy that's a thing of the past. These cars come with factory fill Motorcraft synthetic blend, same oil you'd pick up at a store or dealer.

Some guys want to change the oil at 500 miles, or 1000 miles, or 3000 miles. I think they're likely just paranoid. You're very likely fine with the first oil change at the 10k/12mo/OLM but for the first change I'd wait no longer than 5k/6mo/OLM for peace of mind. If for no other reason than to get a new filter on. Your engine might be one where the tolerances were off just enough that you have slightly more metal in the oil. This seems to split the difference nicely for me.

I have a 2017 Raptor that I'm not kind to. I have 4 oil changes in 33k miles. First change was at 9k miles (6 months) when the OLM and that oil was NASTY but I'm sure within tolerance. Throw in some towing and the OLM hasn't gotten me to 10k or 12 months since then.

I think those old days were rather recent still, at least for some cars.

Having come for a decade of Euro 4 turbo cars I'm not familiar with the syntetic blends. But oil analysis usually shows the full synthetics are doing fine at the 10K mile mark. It's usually the filter that is a concern.

I've got two "free" dealer services but I may do the early one myself. Having had a Benz (where oil changes are $300-500) I thought the free services were a deal, lol.

 

[TnWHTMARE]

Does the fact that were putting 8 (or 10 for the 18 GT's) qts in these engines now have some bearing on the length of time between intervals?

 

[michail71]

Does the fact that were putting 8 (or 10 for the 18 GT's) qts in these engines now have some bearing on the length of time between intervals?

With modern synthetics it's usually the filter that is a concern and those are typically rated for 10-12K miles.

I haven't seen many postings of oil analysis results on this site.

 

[smoke_wagon_6g]

Page 441-442 of my '18 Manual

NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Intelligent Oil-Life MonitorTM
Your vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor that determines when you should change the engine oil based on how your vehicle is used. By using several important factors in its calculations, the monitor helps reduce the cost of owning your vehicle and reduces environmental waste at the same time.

Scheduled Maintenance
This means you do not have to remember to change the oil on a mileage-based schedule. Your vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due by displaying a message in the information display.

Mustang (CZG) Canada/United States of America, Vehicles Built From: 07-08-2017, JR3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Third Printing
​

Then it goes on to estimate when this message might display:

7,000–10,000 mi Normal
5,000–7,000 mi Severe
3,000–5,000 mi Extreme​

Fascinating reading. Just watch for the light. Then at oil change time the manual specifies the usual barrage of inspections, the multipoint inspection.

Then this:

Every 20,000 mi Replace cabin air filter.

Every 30,000 mi Replace engine air filter.

At 100,000 mi Change engine coolant (then each 50,000 mi thereafter)

Every 100,000 mi Replace spark plugs, Inspect (NOT REPLACE) accessory drive belts

Every 150,000 mi Change automatic transmission fluid and filter, Change manual transmission fluid, Replace accessory drive belts, Change rear axle fluid.​

It's real easy, print it and have it in your glovebox next time you smell a ripoff coming.

 

[Madtel4]

I just changed my oil for first time with 3344 miles on it 70% on the OLM. I put Ford full synthetic in. I will change it at 10K or every year. (probably will never see 10K).
Lee

 

[michail71]

I'm doing my first one at under 3k to get better oil and filter along with a JLT separator.

Manufacturer requirements are adequate to avoid warranty claims, hold resale and then lead to a new car purchas after 100k. But they aren't necessarily aimed at long term performance.

 

[smoke_wagon_6g]

I'm doing my first one at under 3k to get better oil and filter along with a JLT separator.

Manufacturer requirements are adequate to avoid warranty claims, hold resale and then lead to a new car purchas after 100k. But they aren't necessarily aimed at long term performance.

The Ford engineers aren't lying to you. Hard to see how Ford recommending long oil change intervals supports your theory. It is just that engines are better designed than they used to be. Oils are better. Filters are better. If anything Ford is too conservative in their intervals since they are the ones going to have to warranty any engine damage caused by insufficient oil quality.

If your suggestion was right I'd think that Ford would recommend more frequent oil changes in order to prevent warranty claims caused by old oil. But just like every other car on the road today, you just don't have to change oil every 3,000 miles like its 1955. That goes for the first oil change too. And this is typical among all manufacturers now.

You also must know there is an engine break-in period, and cars don't develop full power for thousands of miles until the piston rings and cylinder bores have established a proper wear relationship, and full compression is developed. You can see this in car magazine tests where a car is faster at 40,000 miles than is was when it was new.

It's possible that performing early oil changes has a counterproductive effect. I've seen some literature on this. Seems that an earlier than recommended oil change during the break-in period lengthens the break-in, without any positive effect. And oil changes aren't cheap!

But I think that since there is so little actual maintenance on modern cars we sort of focus too much attention on what what's left: the oil. So we get the best oil, do early changes, buy the highest tech filter, maybe a separator. But really it isn't important except maybe for a track car.

And hell, maybe I'm wrong. All I can do is tell the truth as I see it.

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