Oil Change

[Southern]

Re: Oil Change

I do my oil changes at the dealer. 6.5 Q Motorcraft and a Ford Filter. Plus check/topoff all fluids. 19.95
They told me, 7500 miles.
They also check such things as Brakes, etc so that they can sell me new stuff.
It's a good deal. Mutually beneficial.

[Lonegoose]

Re: Oil Change

Thanks for the all the comments on this. It's great to throw out a question to everyone and get back a good discussion on it. Like I mentioned before, I change the oil in my other two vehicals every 3k and now that I have my new toy it needs to be done as well. I think I've only put like 300 miles on it since I got it in August and looks like the last oil change was done by the dealer in Jan 10 by the previous owner.....Yes Sugar Daddy of course, Walmart...forgot they go by wally world. Don't go there to often but the wife does...........What type of ramps did you get Kenneth? Are they ramps to lift up the front of the car?,,,,,I have a pair but wasn't sure if I could change the oil using those because the car would be at an angle with just the front end up.

[Gobird]

Re: Oil Change

Anthony, don't know about the ramps but I did it with jack stands for almost 6 years on the Bird and have always used them on all my Ford products over the years. Just under the front of the car.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Oil Change

In my mind 3000 mile oil changes are a thing of the past. I don't know of any mfg. that recommends that anymore unless it is at the one year interval. To me it is a waste of money and oil. Just reviewed the owners manual for my new Jag with the new 5.0 liter V8 and the interval is 15,000 miles or one year. They just went from 10,000 on the 4.2 liter V8 to 15,000 on the new V8. With a power-train warranty of 6 years/100,000 miles, I don't think they would be taking chances with that oil change interval if they thought there was any danger. No dealer Ford, Lexus, Jaguar I have dealt with in the last 10 years has ever recommended 3000 mile changes. Quick change places and independents have, but no new car dealers or manufacturers. The quality of the new oils is so superior to those used in the past that short intervals are not warranted.

[Wheats]

Re: Oil Change

Thanks for the all the comments on this. It's great to throw out a question to everyone and get back a good discussion on it. Like I mentioned before, I change the oil in my other two vehicals every 3k and now that I have my new toy it needs to be done as well. I think I've only put like 300 miles on it since I got it in August and looks like the last oil change was done by the dealer in Jan 10 by the previous owner.....Yes Sugar Daddy of course, Walmart...forgot they go by wally world. Don't go there to often but the wife does...........What type of ramps did you get Kenneth? Are they ramps to lift up the front of the car?,,,,,I have a pair but wasn't sure if I could change the oil using those because the car would be at an angle with just the front end up.

Got the ramps (2) at Checkers auto they were a fiberglass type can't remember the rating but it was sufficent.I just rolled the car up onto the ramps and got to work.This is the easiest way IMO to do an oil change.I have two floor jacks and four jacks but when it comes to oil changes on low profile cars i grab the ramps

[Chuck]

Re: Oil Change

Folks - while the 3,000 mile oil change may be a thing of the past - the 3,000 mile oil filter change is not.
On the ramps - be careful, if you put the front end up on a ramp the oil may pool in the back of the pan - the oil plug is in the front of the pan so you may be leaving some old oil behind.
If you do it yourself remember to check all your other fluids.

[Leroy]

Re: Oil Change

Thanks Chuck! Now there's some darn good info. I've never changed the oil in my TBird myself, but I have on some other cars, and it seems to me the drain plug was always toward the rear. So putting the TBird on ramps is not the way to go for DIYers. Good to know. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \________________________________

[Gobird]

Re: Oil Change

When I did my own changes I always tilted the car on my jack stands towards the drain plug side so I was sure all the old oil drained out.

Another note: My 2012 Focus that's on order has 15,000 mile recommended oil changes. That may be hard for me to get use to.

[Lonestar]

Re: Oil Change

The 3.9L is a very hot running engine. Synthetic blends carry heat away from vital engine parts better then conventional oils and full synthetics do this better than blends. We could have conversations on this oil brand or that, synthetic blend VS full synthetic, but there should be no discussion on blend / full synthetic VS conventional. Conventional oils do not meet the spec noted in your manual for the 3.9L in the Thunderbird. Some synthetic blends and virtually all synthetics do.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Oil Change

We could have conversations on this oil brand or that, synthetic blend VS full synthetic, but there should be no discussion on blend / full synthetic VS conventional. Conventional oils do not meet the spec noted in your manual for the 3.9L in the Thunderbird. Some synthetic blends and virtually all synthetics do.

I agree.I haven't used a conventional oil in any of my automobiles since the mid 1980s. I've gone with a full synthetic since around the time Mobil 1 first came out. I could not even get it in Atlanta. I had to go to an oil jobber in Gainesville, Ga. which was about a 60 mile drive and buy it by the case. I do believe in the vast superiority of synthetic and synthetic blends (if they meet the specs. in the manual).

[Lonegoose]

Re: Oil Change

Great info, Thanks! I was wondering about the front end being on ramps. I talked to a friend mechanic and he told me I could use his lift so problem solved there......,,

In researching this topic I came across the drain plugs with magnetics to collect metal particals. Anyone have one of those??

[Lonestar]

Re: Oil Change

In researching this topic I came across the drain plugs with magnetics to collect metal particals. Anyone have one of those??

Someone on this site actually markets the magnetic drain plugs but I can not remember who. They do as advertised.

[Leroy]

Re: Oil Change

Standard on Harleys. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \_____________________________

[camodude]

Re: Oil Change

I change the oil on the tbird every 5k. I guess i'm lucky i just go to the auto hobby shop on base and put it up on the lift.

[Wheats]

Re: Oil Change

Thanks Chuck! Now there's some darn good info. I've never changed the oil in my TBird myself, but I have on some other cars, and it seems to me the drain plug was always toward the rear. So putting the TBird on ramps is not the way to go for DIYers. Good to know. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \________________________________

When using the ramps and the way the oil pan is shaped you'll find that the oil probably drains better than if it was level.
I will stick with the ramps