Never Run Extended Oil Change Intervals: Ecoboost Engines

[DranC]

I have a 2023. I heard someone mention the truck's computer will tell me when to change the oil based on my driving habits. I better look at my service contract, I paid for the free services option myself. I also heard that Ford recommends 10w20. Here in sunny hot Florida, I'm thinking 10w30 min.

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[Icemanhd]

What is with the ford manual recommending "Synthetic Blend" vs full synthetic? I mean I get it, they are the manufacturer and in theory should know what they are doing. Most turbocharged cars run a full synthetic although both are based on conventional oil and what makes them "synthetic" are the additives but still. I got a free 3 yr/36k basic maintenance plan from the dealer after them "not being pleased" with my review of them but it only covers the recommended synthetic blend oil and I just had the 1st oil change done at 4900 miles. They wanted an outrageous $30 to upgrade from blend to full syn which I passed on.

Engine Oil
E142732 E276075 An oil that displays this symbol conforms to current engine, emission system and fuel economy performance standards of ILSAC. We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil for your vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is not available, use motor oils of the recommended viscosity grade that meet API SN PLUS requirements and display the API Certification Mark for gasoline engines. Do not use supplemental engine oil additives because they are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that your vehicle warranty does not cover.

Materials
Name
Engine Oil - SAE 5W-30 - Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (U.S.) Engine Oil - SAE 5W-30 - Super Premium Motor Oil / Huile moteur de très haute qualité SAE 5W-30 Motorcraft® (Canada) XO-5W30-Q1SP (U.S.) CXO-5W30-LSP6 (Canada)
Specification
WSS-M2C946-B1

 

[wetidlerjr]

...Most turbocharged cars run a full synthetic although both are based on conventional oil and what makes them "synthetic" are the additives but still...

Yes and No...

What Is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic oil is a lubricant made up of artificially made chemical compounds; these compounds are made by breaking down and then rebuilding petroleum molecules. Under a microscope, a drop of synthetic oil shows millions of molecules all nearly the same size and structure. Conversely, mineral or conventional oil is made using refined crude oil. A drop of conventional oil under a microscope shows millions of molecules all with different shapes, sizes and structures. Synthetic oil can be fully synthetic or a synthetic blend and be derived from multiple base types.

Full synthetic oils use a synthetic base stock, are uniquely designed molecule by molecule without using petroleum and include additives meant to help the degradation of the oil. A synthetic blend is a mix of conventional motor oil and synthetic base stocks. Adding the synthetic base stock to the conventional mineral oil gives you a little bit more protection than just using the conventional oil by itself.

There are multiple types of synthetics with distinctly different properties and applications. However, most synthetics used in automotive service are polyalphaolefins (PAO). For simplicity, the primary reference to synthetic oils in this article will relate to PAOs.

Synthetic Oil: What Consumers Need to Know

 

[Kemo Sabe]

I have a garage and I still hate hauling everything out. But that's because I'm getting old. lol ?

I know the old feeling!! I still wobbleand crawl around on 50-60% oil changes. Keep on moving !!

 

[Icemanhd]

Yes and No...
Synthetic Oil: What Consumers Need to Know

wetidlerjr,
just wonder what led to ford making Syn Blend the factory recommended oil vs full Syn... In volume purchases the cost is fairly minimal. Something led Ford to believe that full syn wasn't worth a little more than syn blend. Wonder if the Maverick runs Syn Blend as well...

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

@Icemanhd This is 100% speculation on my part; My guess is Ford tests new engines with all sorts of oil types and weights on a engine dyno and run them for xxx,xxx hours. Before the engine is even built the engineers have a list of goals for the engine that it must achieve to be considered for production and the oil weight will factor into whether or not the engine can achieve the goals. Winners will be considered foremost for completing the list of goals and then comes cost. Synth blend is cheaper than Full synth for everyone including Ford and their supply chain so if the Synth blend is, from an engineering standpoint, completely sufficient to meet all of its benchmark tests, then why spend more money? It's not a good business move.

 

[Kemo Sabe]

@Icemanhd This is 100% speculation on my part; My guess is Ford tests new engines with all sorts of oil types and weights on a engine dyno and run them for xxx,xxx hours. Before the engine is even built the engineers have a list of goals for the engine that it must achieve to be considered for production and the oil weight will factor into whether or not the engine can achieve the goals. Winners will be considered foremost for completing the list of goals and then comes cost. Synth blend is cheaper than Full synth for everyone including Ford and their supply chain so if the Synth blend is, from an engineering standpoint, completely sufficient to meet all of its benchmark tests, then why spend more money? It's not a good business move.

I’m beginning to believe Ford does no research on the engines. The problems/potential problems stated in this forum make me second guess my Ford purchase. But, seems most new options have their problems. Maybe.

 

[ctechbob]

I have a 2023. I heard someone mention the truck's computer will tell me when to change the oil based on my driving habits. I better look at my service contract, I paid for the free services option myself. I also heard that Ford recommends 10w20. Here in sunny hot Florida, I'm thinking 10w30 min.

No

The manual states 5W30 except in cold climates where 0W30 is allowed.

Most 5W30s these days are really good oil, use them and don't think twice.

If the dealer is doing it, they will probably use MC Blend 5W30 or whatever bulk oil they're using. As long as it is rated SP (99.999999999% chance it will be) then you'll be just fine.

10W30 is pretty much a dead weight. I don't imagine there's a lot of research going into it like there is 5W and 0W oils. Yea, they still make it, and I'm sure it works just fine, but there's nothing a 10W30 can do that 5W30's can't do these days.

 

[AzScorpion]

I have a 2023. I heard someone mention the truck's computer will tell me when to change the oil based on my driving habits. I better look at my service contract, I paid for the free services option myself. I also heard that Ford recommends 10w20. Here in sunny hot Florida, I'm thinking 10w30 min.

The computer will tell you and you can also check iron the Ford app. I would run a 5w30 full synthetic with the heat there as that's what I run here.

 

[thorn726]

if it will help anyone else sleep at night, they can change the oil on my truck - i'll pop the hood and leave it in the driveway.

Otherwise, OLM (effectively 10K) works.


I do appreciate when techs give their qualified, engineering opinions
?

the manual says change it when it reaches 20%/ confusing considering they state you Can go 10K, but they are actually saying please don't. i drive almost all freeway miles and a lot of them so i usually go about 6k myself.

 

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Good video I watched today.




I always change my oil/filter every 5K personally on my Ranger.

damn, I've been changing mine every 10k when the truck tells me to. 65k miles on it, 90% highway. I have to get it changed at a dealership to keep the lifetime powertrain warranty valid. I guess I might start changing it myself at 5k then bring to dealership at recommended interval.

 

[Jason B]

damn, I've been changing mine every 10k when the truck tells me to. 65k miles on it, 90% highway. I have to get it changed at a dealership to keep the lifetime powertrain warranty valid. I guess I might start changing it myself at 5k then bring to dealership at recommended interval.

Every 5K shouldn't void that warranty, even if done at the dealership.

 

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Every 5K shouldn't void that warranty, even if done at the dealership.

I'm saying I'd change it myself at 5k then have the dealership change 5k later to keep the warranty valid.

 

[Kemo Sabe]

I'm saying I'd change it myself at 5k then have the dealership change 5k later to keep the warranty valid.

I also have the 100 thousand Power train warranty, but there’s no stipulation against me changing my own oil. We must have different warranties.
I change my synthetic , Mobil oil, at 5,000 miles, which is normally between 50 & 60% on the meter.
Thanks for the YouTube video. Enlightening!!

 

[Grumpaw]

I'm saying I'd change it myself at 5k then have the dealership change 5k later to keep the warranty valid.

What warranty do you have that requires the dealer change the oil to "keep the warranty valid"?
From what I understand about most warranties if one of the stipulations is
"you must have the dealer perform this or that to keep the warranty valid", then they have to cover that cost...unless it is specifically stated in the warranty that you have to pay for a mandated service to keep it valid.
As far as Ford ESP, as long as you keep records of what you have done, and have receipts, doing oil/filter changes yourself does not void anything.

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