First Oil Change?

txwolfy · Dec 30, 2004

OK - new at this - have a lovely ride and want to take the best possible care of her - so . . . .
Have just under 2,000 miles (in 5 weeks) -
Change now? Regular or synthetic? If synthetic is better, why isn't it recommended by Ford?
Thanks for all the advice!

RedZR · Dec 30, 2004

First Oil Change

Good question !!
I noticed that the 4.6 called for 5w-20 oil. After looking at my local parts store I discovered that Mobil 1 does not produce that weight. Actually, the only synthetic oil that I found in 5w-20 was RedLine.

I really like Mobil 1 and have used it in my Corvette so would rather not change but it looks like I may have to unless 5-30 would be ok to use in the Mustang.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Dan

jesusphreak · Dec 30, 2004

regular oil is supposed to be used at first (not sure for how long) but for synthetic mobil one has 0-20 which is supposed to be used in 5-20 aplications

TomServo92 · Dec 30, 2004

jesusphreak said:
regular oil is supposed to be used at first (not sure for how long) but for synthetic mobil one has 0-20 which is supposed to be used in 5-20 aplications

Mobil 1 0W20 is recommended as a suitable replacement for 5W20. But, if you aren't comfortable with that, Motorcraft makes a 5W20 synthetic blend. Someone on Brad's site posted that they found the Motorcraft at Walmart for something like $1.42 a quart. While it's not an '05 Mustang, my Mazda 6 is supposed to use 5W20 as well but I've been using Mobil 1 0W20 since the first oil change and I just turned 15,000 and no leaks or oil consumption at all.

royb · Dec 30, 2004

I changed my oil today in my 05 GT with 2500 miles (about 7 weeks of ownership)

The manual says 5w20 which i used from Motorcraft (AKA FORD) it is a synthetic blend. It takes 6 quarts with the oil filter. If you got a Wal Mart I paid 17.04 for a case of 12 quarts. The oil filter I bought at the dealer and they charged me 6 bucks. I noticed the same oil filter at Wal Mart for 2.97 so from now on no dealer oil filters. Oh and the air filter had a list price of 45 dollars. they cut me a 10 dollar break but that will be the last motocraft air filter I buy from that dealer.

Now here's a tip on jacking the car up. Don't use the factory jack or you might crack your lower ground effect. Use a hocky puck or a Corvette C5 jacking puck with a small floor jack. there is a spot on each side of the frame support. It is painted black and it's a part of the frame.

The oil pan bolt is 5/8"

Also, my oil filter was on very very tight so use caution when removing.

fr96ss · Dec 30, 2004

5w-30 if you want the motor to last past 70 thousand miles

royb · Dec 30, 2004

synthetic vs regular

you can use either. if you don't want to change the oil as much you can use a full synthetic and get about 7500-8000 miles between oil changes.

I like to change the oil every 3k myself and it gives me time to spot check the car from under it.

if you drive in dirty or real dusty areas then you might want to go with the blend and change every 3k miles. the advantage that synthetic has is tempture and it it a little slipery. If you race the car all the time I would go with synthetic. If you are a regular mustang driver then go with the 5-w20 blend.

Runfox · Dec 31, 2004

My salesman told me this

I asked if there was a "break in" period and an first oil change? He said no, first oil change is 5000 miles and then every 5000 miles after. I grew up with my Dad telling me change oil at 3000, rotate tires 5000. But with these new cars they all recommend 5000 miles, which is when Ill rotate the tires.

I know one thing, they build the engine and performanced based on the recommended viscosity so make sure you use the correct wieght oil. I have had good success with Castriol Syntec so thats what I will use. You know some of the dealerships use sythentic also, I know my wifes Mazda tribute gets synthetic oil when they change it at the delership.

Gray02GT · Dec 31, 2004

I say wait till at least 3000 for synthetic (maybe you don't need too, but whatever) and use mobil1 0w20. I read a couple of articles on mobil1 0w20 and supposedly it was outperforming their 5w30 because it had a better additive package.

Plus it is specifically made for vehicles that are supposed to take 5w20.

Gray02GT · Dec 31, 2004

royb said:
you can use either. if you don't want to change the oil as much you can use a full synthetic and get about 7500-8000 miles between oil changes.

I like to change the oil every 3k myself and it gives me time to spot check the car from under it.

if you drive in dirty or real dusty areas then you might want to go with the blend and change every 3k miles. the advantage that synthetic has is tempture and it it a little slipery. If you race the car all the time I would go with synthetic. If you are a regular mustang driver then go with the 5-w20 blend.

Why would living in a dusty area encourage someone to go with a blend instead of full synthetic? What difference does that make?

ski · Dec 31, 2004

To be on the safe side, dump the factory oil(and filter) at 1000-1500 miles(also check the oil plug for metallic particles and clean it off if necessary), refill with the Ford recommended 5-20W dinosaur(not synthetic) oil, and replace that oil(and filter) at 3000 miles, and every 3000 miles afterward, with either dinosaur or synthetic oil(latter recommended for competition).

MrMorden · Dec 31, 2004

Gray02GT said:
Why would living in a dusty area encourage someone to go with a blend instead of full synthetic? What difference does that make?

Dusty = more frequesnt oil changes = expensive to use synthetic.

Gray02GT · Dec 31, 2004

MrMorden said:
Dusty = more frequesnt oil changes = expensive to use synthetic.

Ah, that makes sense. For me, peace of mind is worth the $10 per oil change more tho.

bluebloodedford · Dec 31, 2004

change your oil every 3000 miles no more even with synthetic oil. wait until your 9000 mile oil change to put synthetic oil in.you'll be trouble free

royb · Dec 31, 2004

ditto

MrMorden said:
Dusty = more frequesnt oil changes = expensive to use synthetic.

cost is one issue the other issue is not the oil but the filter might not trap all the dirt after 7-8000 miles if you use synthetic oil and drive in very dirty / dusty areas. (construction sites, farm & ranches)

Runfox · Jan 1, 2005

bluebloodedford said:
change your oil every 3000 miles no more even with synthetic oil. wait until your 9000 mile oil change to put synthetic oil in.you'll be trouble free

Now Im curious why do you want to wait until 9000 miles or your third oil change to switch to synthetic? I'm going with Castol Syntec on my first oil change at 5000 miles and im applying a polish compound on tues to protect the paint.

BlueJoker · Jan 1, 2005

Runfox said:
I asked if there was a "break in" period and an first oil change? He said no, first oil change is 5000 miles and then every 5000 miles after. I grew up with my Dad telling me change oil at 3000, rotate tires 5000. But with these new cars they all recommend 5000 miles, which is when Ill rotate the tires.

My salesman told me the exact same thing. Every 5k miles for an oil change.

TomServo92 · Jan 1, 2005

Runfox said:
Now Im curious why do you want to wait until 9000 miles or your third oil change to switch to synthetic? I'm going with Castol Syntec on my first oil change at 5000 miles and im applying a polish compound on tues to protect the paint.

There is no technical reason to wait. As I said before, I put in synthetic at my first oil change and haven't any issues after 10K miles. I've done the same thing on other cars and never had an issue with them either.

upstate · Jan 2, 2005

After much reserch on the oil web sites and much discussion on Brad's site here is my plan. First oil change around 700 miles (my first was free at my dealership) so I know its Ford oil and filter. Some debate if this soon is necessary and some say it is to get the metal chips out. Did it since it was free now I know I've done everything possible. Next oil change at 2500-3000 switch to Mobil one and Ford filter. Will change every three thousand with the same mix. May be argued its exceesive but small money to protect the investment and I'll have bragging rights when I sell. They'll know if it was taken care of that well on oil everything else must of, which is true and there is no other thing you can do to make that statement. To sum it up, I protected the engine the best I could and everyone will know it!

TW/92LSC/SE · Jan 2, 2005

txwolfy said:
OK - new at this - have a lovely ride and want to take the best possible care of her - so . . . .
Have just under 2,000 miles (in 5 weeks) -
Change now? Regular or synthetic? If synthetic is better, why isn't it recommended by Ford?
QUOTE]

I'd short change the first oil change, right where you are now with your mileage and then change roughly every 3000 miles thereafter. Why downgrade to regular or upgrade to full synthetic? Use what Ford recommends. They've done all the homework for you. They're using a 5w-20 synthetic blend which reduces cold start wear, lubes the upper engine parts faster than base oils and is priced lower than full synthetic oil.

Although I haven't bought an 05 stang yet I drive a 00 Dakota 4x4 with a 4.7L V8 in it. It runs 5w-30 base oil stock but I use 5w-30 synthetic blend for the winter in average 0*F to -40*F temps. The cold start turnover is unbelieveably better.

Check this site out for Motorcrafts oil products;

http://www.motorcraft.com/products.asp?T=2&M=15&PageID=74

First Oil Change?

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