Oil Change Every 5k Miles? Input Needed...

[sport trac44]

Hey Everyone,
A few oil changes ago, I changed over to Syn. Royal Purple oil. Based on what I've read about it, this oil is capable of holding up well over 5k miles. When I first started using it (my truck is a 2001 4.0 w/ 75k miles), I ran it for 2k miles and changed. The next oil change I ran for 3k and changed my oil.
Now, my plan is to run 5k mile oil changes w/ the 5W-30 R.P. w/ a new Fram Filter (extra guard) every 2500 miles. Based on what I've read in the forums, this should be ok.
However, the other day I saw Fram has a new oil filter out called the Fram X2 which they claim is good for 7k mile oil changes. Has anyone been using this filter or heard much about it? I would stick with the 5k oil change but it sure would be nice if I didn't have to change the filter every 2500.
Any and all advice / input is appreciated.
-Mark

 

[Vinniety]

Hey Everyone,
A few oil changes ago, I changed over to Syn. Royal Purple oil. Based on what I've read about it, this oil is capable of holding up well over 5k miles. When I first started using it (my truck is a 2001 4.0 w/ 75k miles), I ran it for 2k miles and changed. The next oil change I ran for 3k and changed my oil.
Now, my plan is to run 5k mile oil changes w/ the 5W-30 R.P. w/ a new Fram Filter (extra guard) every 2500 miles. Based on what I've read in the forums, this should be ok.
However, the other day I saw Fram has a new oil filter out called the Fram X2 which they claim is good for 7k mile oil changes. Has anyone been using this filter or heard much about it? I would stick with the 5k oil change but it sure would be nice if I didn't have to change the filter every 2500.
Any and all advice / input is appreciated.
-Mark

Im a member of multiple forums and i cant tell you how many times people have stated FRAM filters suck. I have been using them for years but becasue of so many people stating they stink i have plans to change and go with motorcraft or a different brand that people recommend higher then FRAM.

 

[aldive]

Your synthetic oil should go well beyond 5k miles. The ONLY real way to determine if oil needs to be changed is via a UOA.

If I were you, I would use a better oil filter. In my opinion the Amsoil EaO oil filters are the best and can go 25k miles. Mobil 1 is also a very good filter.

 

[Glen4X4]

Yeah your oil is good for 5k. And agreed you need a better oil filter stick with Motorcraft FL1A. Unless there is another oil filter that works the same as motorcraft but better than FRAM. With oil filters I would change every 5k, I just don't see how an oil filter can give you good flow and still be protecting your engine for more than 5k miles but I've never cut an oil filter apart but after FRAM doing my 92 ex wrong when I had it, I don't trust switching to any filter bu Motorcraft.

 

[BIGHVM]

5 k oil changes are ott mate, you are better off just changing the filter at that time and doing an oil change next 5k, after all you are using a very good quaility oil- you should have no trouble- Keep up the good work!

 

[Firestorm]

In my opinion.

Companies continuously reveal newer products which "claim" to make things operate more efficiently, or extend efficiency.

I really don't have that much experience when it comes to vehicles, but I do have common sense. Your oil filter is the only thing that stops anything from going through the whole motor.

My advice is to stick to what you're used to doing, if it is an oil change every 3k, or 5k, so be it. Extending beyond this, I believe I would do so with caution.

What a company claims, and what the product is able to do are sometimes totally different things.

 

[techieman33]

Please only post your question once, asking your question multiple times only adds to the clutter, takes up more room on the server, and makes it harder for those of us that use the search feature (like everyone should) to find the answers we're looking for.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2448774

 

[00XLS]

I also agree on the filter, I've read nothing good about them. I've also used it once on my truck and I'll never use it again. More noise on start up then with the motorcraft, that was quickly changed.

 

[Glen4X4]

Yeah, when I had FRAM in mine it had kind of a loud start up for the start of the day for a couple minutes like it was running with no oil or something then when switched to Motorcraft again it went away.

 

[JoeMahma]

Ditch the Fram ASAP! I've been using PureOne filters with good results.

 

[00XLS]

I've read those, wix, mobil, and the motorcraft are good filters, I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.

 

[96eb96]

Fram filters are very questionable. There is no reason to use them if you can get Motorcraft. Motorcraft filters (and possibly the oil too) all the way. It is a great product because Ford has a vested interest to lower warranty costs due to engine failure. Fram is in the business of selling filters. This is one area where Ford DOES NOT CUT CORNERS. The filters are designed and tested for each application. Examples are silicone valves in certain filters. I read somewhere that Motorcraft deals with Walmart so everyone can get the best protection for their engine at a very reasonable price.


For $3 and change at walmart you can't go wrong with a motorcraft filter. Maxlife or Motorcraft are great choices for oil. For $15 you have a top quality oil change.

Also, changing oil under 3000 miles is truly uncalled for unless you are racing or towing in the desert. Motorcraft oil and filter has no problem working for 3-5K miles. Synthetic should last much longer. Otherwise, I don't see any benefit in spending $8 a quart for oil.

 

[TheChadders]

Hey Everyone,
A few oil changes ago, I changed over to Syn. Royal Purple oil. Based on what I've read about it, this oil is capable of holding up well over 5k miles. When I first started using it (my truck is a 2001 4.0 w/ 75k miles), I ran it for 2k miles and changed. The next oil change I ran for 3k and changed my oil.
Now, my plan is to run 5k mile oil changes w/ the 5W-30 R.P. w/ a new Fram Filter (extra guard) every 2500 miles. Based on what I've read in the forums, this should be ok.
However, the other day I saw Fram has a new oil filter out called the Fram X2 which they claim is good for 7k mile oil changes. Has anyone been using this filter or heard much about it? I would stick with the 5k oil change but it sure would be nice if I didn't have to change the filter every 2500.
Any and all advice / input is appreciated.
-Mark

yea i would stay away from fram to be honest, i would recommend the mobil 1filter

 

[Glen4X4]

The most I ever paid for a quart of Synthetic is 5bucks.

 

[aldive]

Fram filters are very questionable. There is no reason to use them if you can get Motorcraft. Motorcraft filters (and possibly the oil too) all the way. It is a great product because Ford has a vested interest to lower warranty costs due to engine failure. Fram is in the business of selling filters. This is one area where Ford DOES NOT CUT CORNERS. The filters are designed and tested for each application. Examples are silicone valves in certain filters. I read somewhere that Motorcraft deals with Walmart so everyone can get the best protection for their engine at a very reasonable price.

Do you actually think Ford manufacturers Motorcraft oil filters?

 

[96eb96]

Do you actually think Ford manufacturers Motorcraft oil filters?

No, but that is not the point. The are actually most likely made by Purolator or possibly Champion Labs in the USA (OEMs usually have two suppliers). I believe Motorcraft air filters and some fuel filters are made by Purolator because of the printing style on the unit. Very little in the auto industry is manufactured by the name on the box. However, I would not generalize and say Purolator everything is good. Their PCV valves are garbage and never fit properly in the seat.

What makes them special is you have two reputable companies who are vouching for their quality. One has a motive to reduce warranty work. Also, it is a slightly custom product that differs from something that would be branded Purolator.

Is it the best performing filter? Maybe maybe not. That depends. One filter may trap a bit more but reduce flow to the rest of the engine because of the Ford oil pump design. Ford probably spent millions and R and D making sure they perfectly compatible with the engine. An FL1A is prefixed D9AZ, that means it was first put out in 1969. That is close to 40 years to be sure you are getting a pefect balance of cost, performance and reliablity for your engine.

Are there other filters that are very good? Absolutely. Could they deceide to change their quality tomorrow without you knowing(like fram did)? Probably not, but with Motorcraft you have Ford pulling samples off the line assuring they are speced right. The newer owners manuals specify only MC fuel filters for warranty protection (yeah I know about the Moss Magson warranty laws) and strongly suggest Motorcraft oil filters. Sure they want to make money on the filters, but also they want to minimize warranty work because that is pure loss to their bottom line. You can be sure that that is the best product for a Ford vehicle money can buy. That gives me peace of mind when I use a MC filter.

Every review about MC filters was positive, and I believe it gives the best value for the application. If you drive a Ford vehicle you should trust the company that designed it. Just my 2c.

 

[daves97sport]

First off, ditch the FRAM filters - do a search on filters types and ratings. You won't find much good about Fram.
Use Motorcraft, or Purolator "Pure One" filters. Purolator makes filters for Ford and their "Pure One" is similar to the Motorcraft.
Look up aldive's postings for his bypass filter system (Amsoil) if you want to go longer routes - he is above 25K changes I believe.
Get your oil analyzed by Blackstone Labs or others and you'll see where you're at with your engine.

 

[Glen4X4]

I put one of those purolator oil filters on my escort, and had no issues with it but also had used fram on it and didn't notice any change in characteristics of the motor, so is it a possibility that the way a oil filter acts with a motor actually depends on the motor?

 

[Turdle]

I merged the 2 threads-
Please post questions once only.

Why is this a deja vu feeling thread?

 

[96eb96]

The most I ever paid for a quart of Synthetic is 5bucks.

Royal Purple is close $8 at retail locations. Walmart has mobil 1 synthetic for $21/ for 5 qts.