GT350 First Oil Change

[Lorne34]

Hi Guys,
First off, I did some searching on the forum and found a lot of threads about initial break in, but not a lot regarding recommended miles for first oil change. I purchased my 2019 in January used with 1400 miles on it. Drove it back to WI and put it in storage until April. I now have 1600 miles on it. I am going into the dealership on Friday for the Shifter bracket recall work. I am wondering if I should have the first oil change done now?
I have heard varying options... everything from 500 miles (which seems extreme) to 1000k
Another person said the Ford technician told him to stick to the normal recommended 5k.

I've also read about leaving the factory oil in the car as long as possible because it has special additives that help with break in. This Kind of reminded me of a new born baby's skin having that after birth coating on them... they say don't give the baby a bath for the first day, let that stuff absorb into the skin, helps keep the skin from drying out. Sorry guys, I got off track there (I have 6 kids, 5 were home births).

Others have said get rid of it after 1k due to all the sediment and possible metal shavings, etc in the oil.
I also know some have said the oil needs to be replaced every X number of months regardless of the mileage, as over time the oil will break down, but I don't know if that is true or not for modern full synthetic oil.
I remember when I was shopping on cars.com I came across a 350 with 2k miles and it had 3-4 oil changes on the carmax service record. Turns out it was an old guy who hardly ever drove it and just changed the oil every 6 months!
Any guidance would be appreciated...

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[SVTinAR]

I would say it's kind of your call. I would not worry about getting the original oil drained out after 1600 miles. It's broke in. Or you could run it a while further. I would say if the car was delivered more than 12 months ago to the original dealer then I would change it.

 

[Lorne34]

thanks, I could check the original sticker to see when it was delivered.. I have a feeling it's been at least a year. I don't want to change it just for the sake of changing it if not necessary...

 

[Tonymustang302]

I did mine at 500 then 1000 and now have amsoil inside the beast.

 

[Alain]

If it's a question in your mind, just go ahead and change it.

it's cheap peace of mind. I'm changing the oil in my 2019 next week at 500 miles. The oil has been in the car almost a year now (the car was built last may). I will change it again at 1000 miles. I do the oil change myself so I only pay for the supplies, at $100 or so, it's cheap peace of mind.

 

[pilotgore]

Hi Guys,
First off, I did some searching on the forum and found a lot of threads about initial break in, but not a lot regarding recommended miles for first oil change. I purchased my 2019 in January used with 1400 miles on it. Drove it back to WI and put it in storage until April. I now have 1600 miles on it. I am going into the dealership on Friday for the Shifter bracket recall work. I am wondering if I should have the first oil change done now?
I have heard varying options... everything from 500 miles (which seems extreme) to 1000k
Another person said the Ford technician told him to stick to the normal recommended 5k.

I've also read about leaving the factory oil in the car as long as possible because it has special additives that help with break in. This Kind of reminded me of a new born baby's skin having that after birth coating on them... they say don't give the baby a bath for the first day, let that stuff absorb into the skin, helps keep the skin from drying out. Sorry guys, I got off track there (I have 6 kids, 5 were home births).

Others have said get rid of it after 1k due to all the sediment and possible metal shavings, etc in the oil.
I also know some have said the oil needs to be replaced every X number of months regardless of the mileage, as over time the oil will break down, but I don't know if that is true or not for modern full synthetic oil.
I remember when I was shopping on cars.com I came across a 350 with 2k miles and it had 3-4 oil changes on the carmax service record. Turns out it was an old guy who hardly ever drove it and just changed the oil every 6 months!
Any guidance would be appreciated...

I had mine changed at 1,000 miles when the shifter recall was done. I used a good portion of the Ford app reward points from buying that car for a “free oil change.” From what I’ve read, this engine didn’t come from the factory with break-in oil, just standard motorcraft synthetic. I plan to change my oil after every two track days (~8 days/year) and in spring after coming out of storage. Since the tracks have been covid-closed in this part of the country, it may be a while till my next oil change.

I agree with everyone else, totally up to you and whatever makes you feel comfortable. If the car isn’t driven in the winter, it’s never a bad idea to change the oil in spring on top of other oil changes. Between my cars and the collection I manage for someone else, I do about 20 oil changes every spring. Of those 20, I can count on 1-2 a year showing signs of moisture in the oil as it’s coming out of the engine. Keep in mind these cars are kept in a heated warehouse where the temp in the winter may only fluctuate between 55-70 the entire winter, so it’s not like they’re experiencing crazy freeze/thaw type thermal cycles.

Just my $.02

Enjoy the car!

 

[Deleted member 37397]

Check the oil life monitor see what it says. If it were sitting for a year it would say change it I would imagine

 

[matthewr87]

My oil life monitor (on the factory fill) was sitting at 17% after 4,000 km (one track day) and over a year in the car. I just changed it at that point in preparation for the new track season this summer.

 

[Lorne34]

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the input, I guess I am looking more for the "official" recommendations from Ford. I didn't see it in the Sticky Thread section, so i am not sure what the official guidelines are. I am going to call Ford Performance and maybe consult with my dealership service dept. I am leaning towards having it done this Friday along with the recall. Cost is not the issue, I just don't want further service work done if it's not necessary to do so.

 

[JAJ]

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the input, I guess I am looking more for the "official" recommendations from Ford. I didn't see it in the Sticky Thread section, so i am not sure what the official guidelines are. I am going to call Ford Performance and maybe consult with my dealership service dept. I am leaning towards having it done this Friday along with the recall. Cost is not the issue, I just don't want further service work done if it's not necessary to do so.

There's a section in the Owner's Supplement called Track Use. Up to 2019, all it says about oil is to put oil separators inline with the crankcase ventilation and check the level during the event to make sure it's above the lower hole in the dipstick. That's the same as "follow the Oil Life Monitor" for changes.

The 2020 version is lifted from the GT500 Owner's Supplement and says to change it before the first event and then after every four hours of on-track operation. There's a diff oil change schedule as well for the 2020's.

 

[Lorne34]

There's a section in the Owner's Supplement called Track Use. Up to 2019, all it says about oil is to put oil separators inline with the crankcase ventilation and check the level during the event to make sure it's above the lower hole in the dipstick. That's the same as "follow the Oil Life Monitor" for changes.

The 2020 version is lifted from the GT500 Owner's Supplement and says to change it before the first event and then after every four hours of on-track operation. There's a diff oil change schedule as well for the 2020's.

Thanks, I don't plan on tracking the vehicle anytime soon. If it was I think i would definitely change the factory oil. With the lockdown and tracks being closed I have decided to just drive the car this year, get to know it and maybe do an intro day next year.

 

[Lorne34]

I spoke with my local ford dealership which services a lot of the 350's and he recommended an oil change if it's been a year since the last one. He also said with this being a used 350 it will give me a baseline to work with moving forward.

 

[Tank]

Don’t forget there could be some manufacturing byproducts circulating around. Thread seal chunks, tiny other bits that may or may not be caught in the filter.

You’re at a good mileage now to change it out IMHO.

 

[Lorne34]

Thanks Jim,
I Just dropped it off today for the shifter Recall and Oil Change. Feel pretty peaceful about having it done.. Still curious as to what the official Ford Performance stance is on very first oil change.
I know if will vary depending upon Street vs Track use...
Wondering what they do at the Track Attack for example to break the engines in, when they change the factory oil and how frequently they change oil thereafter....

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