Best oil and filter.

K4Lic0 · Dec 29, 2006

So, i'm thinking of changing the oil on my 2004 Mustang GT myself and I can't find the info i'm looking for. I was wondering a few things:

Whats the best performance oil to use? (high quality)
Whats the best performance filter to use? (high quality)
I may have just over looked it in the manual, but what size filter?
And I can't seem to find out how much oil the engine will hold.

02FastblackGT · Dec 29, 2006

Well, oil is kind of a personal preference. Basically, you should decide whether you are going with a synthetic oil (probably better for higher performance, but lower milage vehicles) or a regular motor oil. Since my Stang is getting up there in miles and has never had synthetic oil before, I decided to just stick with the regular 5w30 that is recommended in our manual (Motorcraft). I also use the Motorcraft Oil Filter (also in the manual), and it tells you what size to get. If you decide to go with synthetic, then there are quite a few options. I have always been a big fan of Mobil 1, but others might tell you differently. Our engines hold 5 quarts of oil by the way. Bascially, the choice is all yours.

Crzyhrse · Dec 29, 2006

The owner's manual should recommend a 5W-20 weight oil, and probably a Motorcraft oil filter. Your GT should be 6 quarts to fill it. If the oil does'nt show up to the "Full" mark on the dipstick, don't worry, I think the dipsticks on quite afew years of Mustangs were screwed up. Just make a notch where 6 quarts comes up to on your dipstick and that's your full mark. Myself, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-20 and I used a K@N oil filter last time I changed it. Will probably use a Motorcraft filter this time when I change it.

K4Lic0 · Dec 29, 2006

Ok, thanks for the info. Yeah, the manual does say 5w20 and just for the info, my mustang only has 23k miles on it.

Crzyhrse · Dec 29, 2006

02FastblackGT said:
Well, oil is kind of a personal preference. Basically, you should decide whether you are going with a synthetic oil (probably better for higher performance, but lower milage vehicles) or a regular motor oil. Since my Stang is getting up there in miles and has never had synthetic oil before, I decided to just stick with the regular 5w30 that is recommended in our manual (Motorcraft). I also use the Motorcraft Oil Filter (also in the manual), and it tells you what size to get. If you decide to go with synthetic, then there are quite a few options. I have always been a big fan of Mobil 1, but others might tell you differently. Our engines hold 5 quarts of oil by the way. Bascially, the choice is all yours.

The manual recommends 5W-30 and only 5 quarts for an '04 GT?

K4Lic0 · Dec 29, 2006

Crzyhrse said:
The manual recommends 5W-30 and only 5 quarts for an '04 GT?

Maybe the 02 manual says 5w-30 and 5q?

Pennywise2 · Dec 30, 2006

My mustang gets treated with Mobil 1 and a Motorcraft oil filter
every 3 months or 3000 miles whatever comes first never had
one problem.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 30, 2006

K4Lic0 said:
Maybe the 02 manual says 5w-30 and 5q?

Around late 02 Ford began changing to 5W-20 for it's 4.6L engines. The reason is the thinner oil got them 0.25MPG better and it helped their CAFE number.

However, they didn't change any of the tolerances...so i continue to run 5W-30.

Oh and my 2003GT takes 6 quarts of oil. I beleive the pans were changed and early PI Mustangs took 5 quarts and later models 6

I run castrol GTX conventional oil and a Motorcraft 820S filter

sgarlic · Dec 30, 2006

I've always been a firm believer that you should pick one quality brand name oil and always use that one.

I personally use the Motorcraft 5w20 synthetic blend with an FL-820S filter. The motorcraft filters are very good. Once my warranty expires in a few months here, I'll be switching to the premium synthetic blend 5w30 motorcraft oil.

I also don't follow the 5 qts/6qts thing. I just add 4 1/2 quarts then pour til I reach the full line on the dipstick. This includes the oil I prime the filter with first, since if you don't measure before the filter is full, it'll read higher than it actually is.

Motorcraft oil is good to easily 7500 miles, and it's only $2.32 a quart around here. That's not bad for a manufacturer recommended quality synthetic blend oil that consistantly shows good used oil analysis results wherever I see them.

HoustonGT · Dec 30, 2006

Mobil1 Synthetic with the Motorcraft oil filter here. Never had any problems.

If you want to see an interesting debate over what brand fluids to run in your car, ask what brand transmission fluid people run in their stangs around here :SNSign:

twogts4us · Dec 30, 2006

Mustang5L5 said:
Around late 02 Ford began changing to 5W-20 for it's 4.6L engines. The reason is the thinner oil got them 0.25MPG better and it helped their CAFE number.

However, they didn't change any of the tolerances...so i continue to run 5W-30.

Oh and my 2003GT takes 6 quarts of oil. I beleive the pans were changed and early PI Mustangs took 5 quarts and later models 6

Yep, officially, the 99-01 take 5 quarts and the 02-04 take 6 (we're only talking Gen2 SN-95 here - I'm sure there are other years that take 5 or 6).
Now, I guess it's possible to have an early 02 that only holds 5. In the end, read the dipstick...if that's possible (dumbest design I've ever seen )
Another clue would be transmission type - do you have a T-45 or a TR-3650? The T-45 would make sense, as most 02's got the Tr-3650 (only the EARLY ones got the T-45). Ck the VCL plate on the driver's doorframe. Under the heading "TR" you'll see a "6" for the T-45 or a "K" for the TR-3650.
Best of Luck!

the98stang · Dec 30, 2006

I use the mobil1 synthetic 5w-30 and motorcraft filter. It might be wiser to use 5w-20 in the winter though.

Tim2002GT · Dec 30, 2006

HoustonGT said:
Mobil1 Synthetic with the Motorcraft oil filter here. Never had any problems.

If you want to see an interesting debate over what brand fluids to run in your car, ask what brand transmission fluid people run in their stangs around here :SNSign:

+1 I just changed mine yesterday. I used 5w20.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 31, 2006

PS.....

I would ALWAYS change my own oil myself. NEVER use one of those quick lube places. WHY??

Today it was snowing outside and i had to do an oil change on my sister's Maxima because she brought it to a quick-lube place and they didn't put the oil filter on tight enough. SHe lost enough oil to make the CHECK OIL light come on. Since i need the car tomorrow to go out of state, i was forced to redo the oil change in slush

Quick lube places SUCK!! Either do it yourself, go to a dealership or pay a REAL mechanic to do it. Might cost you a little more, but you know it's done right. This is the THIRD time a quick lube place has messed up an oil change on a family member's car.

Mike97gt · Dec 31, 2006

Mustang5L5 said:
PS.....

I would ALWAYS change my own oil myself. NEVER use one of those quick lube places. WHY??

Today it was snowing outside and i had to do an oil change on my sister's Maxima because she brought it to a quick-lube place and they didn't put the oil filter on tight enough. SHe lost enough oil to make the CHECK OIL light come on. Since i need the car tomorrow to go out of state, i was forced to redo the oil change in slush

Quick lube places SUCK!! Either do it yourself, go to a dealership or pay a REAL mechanic to do it. Might cost you a little more, but you know it's done right. This is the THIRD time a quick lube place has messed up an oil change on a family member's car.

Agreed, those quick lube places suck..

DTNODYA · Dec 31, 2006

svttech76 said:
Agreed, those quick lube places suck..

+2

One time my girlfriend's sister took her car to a quick lube joint and they left her drain plug either out or really loose. On her way home (to Tennessee from SC) all her oil blew out and locked the engine. They sued and got the money to replace the motor but still .... DO IT YOURSELF!!!!!!!

For my truck I use Motorcraft Synthetic 5W-30 with a Motorcraft filter.

On my Mustang I use Mobil 1 Full Syn. (same weight) and a Motorcraft filter. I don't know why I use Mobil 1 in the Mustang and not the truck but I do ...

Oh yeah, always buy 1 qt. extra just in case you need to add some ... driving back to the store for 1 qt. of oil is a PITA, IMO.

san~man · Dec 31, 2006

Mustang5L5 said:
Around late 02 Ford began changing to 5W-20 for it's 4.6L engines. The reason is the thinner oil got them 0.25MPG better and it helped their CAFE number.

My 01' takes 5w-20 also.

Skidawg · Jan 1, 2007

K4Lic0 said:
So, i'm thinking of changing the oil on my 2004 Mustang GT myself and I can't find the info i'm looking for. I was wondering a few things:

Whats the best performance oil to use? (high quality)
Whats the best performance filter to use? (high quality)
I may have just over looked it in the manual, but what size filter?
And I can't seem to find out how much oil the engine will hold.

As you can see, everyone has differing opinions on which oils to use. The MC blend is a very good oil. A lot of people here use synthetics too, with Mobil1 probably being the most popular. You'll never get a definitive answer to the oil question.

Most guys are running the MC filter. I've heard good things about it. Some also use K&N or the Mobil1 filter (M1-210). Again, take a sample of the answers here and then make your own call. There's no one right answer.

Any store is going to have a book so you can find out the part number.

I've never had anyone change my oil. Avoid oil change facilities at all costs. If you can not do it yourself, have a REAL mechanic do it, and take him the oil and filter. That way you know what you're getting and it will probably be done right.

Best oil and filter.

K4Lic0

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02FastblackGT

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Crzyhrse

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K4Lic0

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Crzyhrse

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K4Lic0

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Pennywise2

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