STingray1300

Nope. But...

When you're talking about a new mechanical piece of equipment, especially one lubricated by a tub of oil, there are milling chards from all the castings. And much more than a single filter can handle. Stuff you don't want floating around in your engine oil. See the link in my next post...

Adobe2X

I firmly believe in a first oil change at about 1,000 miles. When I did that on a GM engine at one time, it had a magnetic drain plug, You should have seen the metal filings sticking to that plug. It looked like someone had stuck a magnet into a pile of iron shavings. They stuck out about 1/2 inch in all directions from the end of the plug.
Whether you go 3k, 5K or with the oil monitor in the dash after that is up to you --- but as stated, I always recommend that first 1K oil change after seeing that drain plug.

STingray1300

Here is an article for only progressive individuals who are interested in learning something that just might benefit them and their driving pleasure, now and in the future:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Enjoy.

And you youngin', are in terrible need of an education.

I've said it once, I'll say it again:
"Young people have all the answers.... they just haven't heard all the questions yet"

F1Lombie

The dealer gave me free oil changes for the first year. "Strongly recommended" doing the first change after 500 miles due to break in wear, then settle in to normal schedule. Said the oil will be full of fine bits and shavings.

I just turned 400 miles, so I'll soon see if he's full of it or not...doesn't matter to me. Free is free.

News in

I read that article when I first bought my truck. Also read several articles basically stating the opposite. Why do you put faith in MotoMan? I mean, isn't he a motorcycle mechanic? How do you know he's not smokin da weed?

STingray1300

35 years of breaking in new engines (including a few race engines) and I have maintained better compression after many miles than many of my contemporaries. Motoman has a set of great general ideas!

I have found that the "opposers" to the idea are usually those who are afraid of their own shadows and scared to death of ruining their engine, but with little or absolutely -0- practical experience as mechanics or (real) racers.

Best thing is, to do what you feel comfortable with. But education is one of those things that should never sit idle or stagnant.

Like I said, when I drained my oil at 500 miles, the drain pan had plenty of "glitter" at the bottom. Not something I want floating around my engine. You do what you want with yours...

FordRoushFan

First off, I personally would never take any of my vehicles to the dealer to have the oil changed, even if it was FREE!!!! Do you realize that the people changing your oil at a dealer are the MOST inexperienced technicians (and you would be lucky if they were even technicians)!! The stealership is a business and it just doesn't make good business sense to put their most experienced/highly paid ASE certified technician on a vehicle that just needs an oil change and multi-point inspection. No, they put those people on the high paying jobs. Now, I'm not saying ALL dealers are that way but that's what most do (this happens to be in my field of work and that's what I've learned in the 14 years of doing it).

Second, the base oil (which makes up 75% of a quart of oil) is not what breaks down. It's the additive package (which makes up the other 25% of a quart of oil) that becomes depleted and causes the base oil to do things it shouldn't do. It is difficult to pin point when this is going to happen because it all depends on an individuals driving conditions and driving habits. For some it might be 4,000 miles and for others it might be 7,000 miles. From what I've seen first hand is, it usually happens between 5k-7k miles. Oil that's been over-used has a distinct smell and like I said, I usually notice that distinct smell when a person has driven 5k - 7k miles between oil changes.

The other thing you have to keep in mind is the oil filter. There is no way a standard oil filter (I'm not talking about a Fram filter - which by the way is the worst filter anyone can buy) is going to last 10,000 miles. Depending on your driving conditions and habits, you'd be lucky if it were to last till 5,000 miles. Once the oil filter becomes consumed with contaminates, the by-pass valve on the vehicle just re-circulates the contaminated oil back into the oil pan to be sucked up again by the oil pump. That's what causes the oil to be "dirty" and strongly contributes to the depletion of the additive package.

Other than heat, the next thing that will kill an engine quicker then not filling it with oil is sludge and varnish. Sludge and varnish is a by-product of not changing the oil before the additive package becomes depleted. I'm not sure about you guys but I'm kind of **** about how clean I keep my vehicles and that includes the inside of my motors. Therefore, on average I change the oil on all my vehicles every 4,000 miles (it's usually between 3k-5k miles depending on how I've driven my vehicles and when I have time to take care of them).

BobbyC

iTrader: (1)

Amazing how much smarter you guys are than the engineers that built the motors in our trucks.

STingray1300

"Smarter"? No. Just a whole lot more concerned about implementing ALL the latest technological knowledge available. That takes research and years of experience (you're welcome!), even some trial-and-error. Something many engineers don't care about. Most of them are book-smart people out to make a name for themselves right out of school. (I know this first hand after spending 25 yearsworking around many of them in iron structural construction)

That's all...

FordRoushFan

Engineering motors is not the same as engineering motor oil.

Actually, engineers could care less when you or I change our oil. Their job is to build a better product then the competition and to help Ford (or the manufacturer they represent) sell vehicles.

FORD decides the change oil interval that's suitable for their warranty, NOT ENGINEERS. And, that interval is gong to be based on what will help them sell the most vehicles. It's called marketing!!! Do you think Ford would sell enough vehicles to stay in business if they changed their marketing strategy to, "When you buy our product expect to pay a lot of money on the proper maintenance program so your vehicle will last 10 years/200K miles?" Of course not!!! They know that if they did that, the consumer will head directly to the competition who is advertising the "No maintenance program."

Manufacturers are smart. They know that most people do not take care of their vehicles. So, to capitalize on that market, manufacturers came up with that "No maintenance" or "Low maintenance" program. They want people to believe that they're going to save money because they're not paying for the maintenance as often by extending the drain intervals on all the fluids. As long as their products make it to the 3yr/36,000 mile warranty with as little warranty issues as possible, they met their goal. After that the manufacturer will make money off of you by supplying the dealers with parts necessary to repair your vehicle when it breaks down. Or, they'll make money off of you by supplying the dealer with another vehicle because you decided to buy a new car instead of dealing with the headaches that come from neglected maintenance.

At the end of day, just because your service manual says you can go however long on your oil change (or any fluid for that matter), doesn't mean that interval was designed with your best interest in mind!!