Oil Change interval

dave1946 · 03-09-2011, 01:57 PM

The owners manual on the web states that the oil should be changed when the message center says it time. Does anyone know how many miles that is?

uniquename · 03-09-2011, 01:59 PM

10K miles according to the manual.

dave1946 · 03-09-2011, 02:10 PM

I saw that in the manual but it says "can be up to 10,000 miles" and I'm wondering if different models have different limits. Plus I've seen in the manual where it says if the message center isn't working then change the oil every 5,000 miles.

uniquename · 03-09-2011, 02:14 PM

It probably bases it off the oil quality and driving conditions.

Bill #4 Explorer · 03-09-2011, 03:18 PM

I changed mine at the 1,000 mile mark with full sythetic 5W20. I'll change every 5,000-6,000 hereafter.

*sabasigh* · 03-09-2011, 03:19 PM

...or when revenue from dealer service shops is low.

1995E · 03-09-2011, 03:29 PM

I'd change it every 3k miles as my mechanic told me that lots of Ford engines in the past were messing up because 7k is just too long as the oil is too diluted with fuel.

Bill #4 Explorer · 03-09-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1995E

too long as the oil is too diluted with fuel.

This is especially true for vehicles driven short distences. Oil never gets hot enough to burn off fuel residue and moisture (water). If in doubt, you can also send out your oil sample to a lab like Blackstone and do UOA's (used oil analysis). I do this on some personal cars I own that are very high performance.

esandye · 03-09-2011, 04:13 PM

On the other hand, this is this type of info that is what the longer intervals are base on. Something to kill time while waiting for your explorer to come in.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop...-your-oil.html

*Sgt1411* · 03-09-2011, 09:35 PM

I dont have the knowledge in this area so I asked the actual Ford Engineers who worked on this 3.5 V6 about the Ford Oil Life Monitoring System (OLMS). It's a very sophisticated algorithm that takes into account many things that the computers record about driving habits, engine temp, run time, RPM, mileage, etc etc. Apparently every driver will have a slightly different recommended oil change time.

The advice I got was. "changing oil at a set 3000 or 5000 miles is old school, old thinking, legacy technology, today you cant out think the OLMS. Wait for the light, then change your oil"

JRRF · 03-09-2011, 10:39 PM

Changing oil as recommended in a modern engine is more than sufficient. Today engines will easily last the life of the vehicle. In the past, rebuilt engines, or engines from junked cars were a big business. Ask someone in that business today and they will tell you that there simply isn't much demand anymore (transmissions neither). You'll be spending a lot more money on things you don't want to replace before you ever have to replace the engine in this car (assuming you don't abuse it) so long as you follow manufacturer recommended oil change intervals.

Fast40th · 03-10-2011, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esandye

On the other hand, this is this type of info that is what the longer intervals are base on. Something to kill time while waiting for your explorer to come in.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop...-your-oil.html

Thank you for sharing this link. Very interesting article.

Mishtar · 03-10-2011, 08:58 AM

I second that, thank you very much for the link. Can you add plus 1's to posts on this forum?

esandye · 03-10-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mishtar

I second that, thank you very much for the link. Can you add plus 1's to posts on this forum?

Thank you, thank you very much.

03-09-2011, 01:57 PM	#1
dave1946 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 51 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Oil Change interval The owners manual on the web states that the oil should be changed when the message center says it time. Does anyone know how many miles that is?

03-09-2011, 03:19 PM	#6
sabasigh Elite Explorer STL Metro East, IL 2000 Explorer Sport Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 112 Vehicle Specs	...or when revenue from dealer service shops is low. __________________ Can I get a Ford that doesn't clunk over bumps?

03-09-2011, 03:29 PM	#7
1995E Wannabe Elite Explorer Maryland 95 + 11 Ex both XLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 682 Vehicle Specs	I'd change it every 3k miles as my mechanic told me that lots of Ford engines in the past were messing up because 7k is just too long as the oil is too diluted with fuel. __________________ Used to have an Explorer 1995 4.0L V6 XLT Only 70K miles. Explorer 2011 3.5L V6 XLT 202A with trailer tow, Ingot Silver 15k miles. 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium with 50 miles.

03-09-2011, 04:13 PM	#9
esandye Wannabe Elite Explorer Oklahoma City 2011 LIMITED 4WD Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 204 Vehicle Specs	On the other hand, this is this type of info that is what the longer intervals are base on. Something to kill time while waiting for your explorer to come in. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop...-your-oil.html __________________ 2011 Limited 4WD, 301a, tow, BLIS, sterling grey/stone; ordered 12-30-10, Built 3-17-11, Delivered 4-13-11. Last edited by esandye; 03-09-2011 at 05:02 PM.

03-09-2011, 09:35 PM	#10
Sgt1411 Elite Explorer VanBC/GoodyearAZ 2013 X Limited 4WD Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,445 Vehicle Specs	I dont have the knowledge in this area so I asked the actual Ford Engineers who worked on this 3.5 V6 about the Ford Oil Life Monitoring System (OLMS). It's a very sophisticated algorithm that takes into account many things that the computers record about driving habits, engine temp, run time, RPM, mileage, etc etc. Apparently every driver will have a slightly different recommended oil change time. The advice I got was. "changing oil at a set 3000 or 5000 miles is old school, old thinking, legacy technology, today you cant out think the OLMS. Wait for the light, then change your oil" __________________ 2013 X Limited 4WD 302A Rapid Spec, Luxury Seat & Technology Package, Tuxedo Black, Charcoal Interior, 20"Polished Aluminum Wheels,Navigation, Dual Panel Moonroof, 2nd Row Buckets & Console, OEM Invision LT Series DVD, Tow Package, Inflatable Seatbelts, 28% Tint Fronts, Husky Liners, OEM Bumper Protector, NuSheild,

03-09-2011, 01:59 PM	#2
uniquename Wannabe Elite Explorer Twin Cities, MN '11 XLT Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 546 Vehicle Specs	10K miles according to the manual.

03-09-2011, 02:10 PM	#3
dave1946 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 51 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I saw that in the manual but it says "can be up to 10,000 miles" and I'm wondering if different models have different limits. Plus I've seen in the manual where it says if the message center isn't working then change the oil every 5,000 miles.

03-09-2011, 02:14 PM	#4
uniquename Wannabe Elite Explorer Twin Cities, MN '11 XLT Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 546 Vehicle Specs	It probably bases it off the oil quality and driving conditions.

03-09-2011, 03:18 PM	#5
Bill #4 Explorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Chicago Area 2011 Explorer Limited Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 776 Vehicle Specs	I changed mine at the 1,000 mile mark with full sythetic 5W20. I'll change every 5,000-6,000 hereafter.

03-09-2011, 10:39 PM	#11
JRRF Wannabe Elite Explorer Mid Atlantic 2011 Limited Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 44 Vehicle Specs	Changing oil as recommended in a modern engine is more than sufficient. Today engines will easily last the life of the vehicle. In the past, rebuilt engines, or engines from junked cars were a big business. Ask someone in that business today and they will tell you that there simply isn't much demand anymore (transmissions neither). You'll be spending a lot more money on things you don't want to replace before you ever have to replace the engine in this car (assuming you don't abuse it) so long as you follow manufacturer recommended oil change intervals.

03-10-2011, 08:58 AM	#13
Mishtar Wannabe Elite Explorer Victoria, BC 2011 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 248 Vehicle Specs	I second that, thank you very much for the link. Can you add plus 1's to posts on this forum?