Change Oil First Or Wait

[Bonder]

I have a 24 Lariat with about 3000 KM on it right now, I have had it for 3 and a half months now. I am going to be doing a road trip in a month that will likely be around 2500k. The intelligent oil life monitor is telling me I will need to change the oil in May of 2025.

Since this is the first oil change would you do it before the trip, or after? I don't expect to have more than 3500k on it before I leave for the trip. Just trying to do what is best for the new engine.

Sponsored

 

[MAV]

Change it. New engines shed a lot of iron and steel into the oil as well as silicone and other goop from gaskets, assembly lube, etc. Your filter is protecting the engine from the larger particles, but the microscopic particles pass right through and get recirculated.

 

[Critical Habitat]

Agreed. I'd change it.
Especially true for owners in climates where it is really hot (100+ Deg F) much of the time (probably not Manitoba, LOL).
Also, depending on how it is driven and used, the recommended service intervals might warrant being reduced.

 

[Jason B]

Changing now won't hurt. A few bucks out of pocket is good for peace of mind.

 

[Bonder]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was leaving that way as well. I will book some service before heading out on the trip.

 

[CactusGreyFTX]

Yup, I changed mine at 1,000 Km for the reasons everyone states. As Critical Habitat pointed out, also a good idea to reduce the service intervals if you're driving daily and in more extreme conditions. I plan on oil changes every 5,000 km. It's a small price to pay, especially if you intend of keeping the truck longer term

 

[GLW]

Yup, I changed mine at 1,000 Km for the reasons everyone states. As Critical Habitat pointed out, also a good idea to reduce the service intervals if you're driving daily and in more extreme conditions. I plan on oil changes every 5,000 km. It's a small price to pay, especially if you intend of keeping the truck longer term

I have a question on this.
First, I changed my oil at 1200 miles with a full synthetic oil for all the reasons the previous folks mentioned.
However, with the health indicator on the app I do not understand why I wouldn’t follow that and change the oil when the dictator says it time to change. Am I missing something?

 

[hand-filer]

I have a question on this.
First, I changed my oil at 1200 miles with a full synthetic oil for all the reasons the previous folks mentioned.
However, with the health indicator on the app I do not understand why I wouldn’t follow that and change the oil when the dictator says it time to change. Am I missing something?

Never trust a dictator.

 

[Critical Habitat]

I have a question on this.
First, I changed my oil at 1200 miles with a full synthetic oil for all the reasons the previous folks mentioned.
However, with the health indicator on the app I do not understand why I wouldn’t follow that and change the oil when the dictator says it time to change. Am I missing something?

You certainly could do that. I just plan to do it at shorter intervals than the 10K miles for oil changes recommended for those use full synthetic. I also plan for tire rotations at approximately every 5K miles or so. Keeping a little mini-spreadsheet-type notebook, scanning the service department work order/receipts, because shorter intervals immediately causes fordpass to reset the vehicle health indicator.

 

[Jason B]

I have a question on this.
First, I changed my oil at 1200 miles with a full synthetic oil for all the reasons the previous folks mentioned.
However, with the health indicator on the app I do not understand why I wouldn’t follow that and change the oil when the dictator says it time to change. Am I missing something?

Do you really want to go 10k miles between servicing? If you use Ford Fast Lane/Quick Lane, they look over more than just changing oil and filter. For around $80, it is worth peace of mind.

 

[GLW]

Do you really want to go 10k miles between servicing? If you use Ford Fast Lane/Quick Lane, they look over more than just changing oil and filter. For around $80, it is worth peace of mind.

My full synthetic oil change from Ford Service was $130. I have been religious about any and all kinds of maintenance for 40+ years and have exceeded life cycles on all my equipment.
I’ll follow the recommendation of FMC engineers and not throw away $.

 

[Robo]

Few questions...

1) I purchased the service plan/extended warranty from Ford when I bought my truck. Will they honor my request for synthetic oil or with they try to push motor craft or something else on me?

2) If I change the oil myself every 5K, but the service plan only allows for 10K, will they have an issue with this or will it void my extended warranty, etc?

3) Is the service plan and extended warranty worth it? Would love some opinions. Or should I cancel the service plan and my extended warranty? Good for up to 100K and I plan on keeping this truck for the next 10-12 years.

 

[Jason B]

Few questions...

1) I purchased the service plan/extended warranty from Ford when I bought my truck. Will they honor my request for synthetic oil or with they try to push motor craft or something else on me?

2) If I change the oil myself every 5K, but the service plan only allows for 10K, will they have an issue with this or will it void my extended warranty, etc?

3) Is the service plan and extended warranty worth it? Would love some opinions. Or should I cancel the service plan and my extended warranty? Good for up to 100K and I plan on keeping this truck for the next 10-12 years.

My guesses and assumption.

1) They should, but you will have to pay the difference in price, or they may charge extra for the full cost of synthetic oil.

2)The service plan pays FORD to service only at 10k intervals. You can do it yourself at 5K intervals, but you will have to pay for it. Just keep all receipts and documents.

3) I am not familiar with the service plan. To determine its worth, calculate what it would cost you for those services if you paid each time, versus what you paid for the plan.
As for the Extended Warranty (ESP), again depends on what you paid for it. But IMO it is definitely worth it. A $2K ESP will be more than worth it if you need a $6K transmission replaced.

Sponsored