Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

[mrmotions]

Our 2005 Bird just hit 2000 miles and we want to give her the first oil change.

What do you all recommend ?? Is synthetic the way to go or not?? By the way, our original battery just refused to take a charge. Any recommendations on that would also be appreciated. We need a battery that holds up well during long periods of storage .....we do use a battery tender.

We are currently at our home in Indialantic Beach. Florida......any Bird stuff going on around here???? Thanks.....Don & Janyce

[Treken]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

I go with full synthetic myself, every 3,000 miles...

Just replaced my battery and went with the origional that comes with our bird... Lasted me 8 years with no problems and is now in a friend of mines car...

[Bird03]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

You can only use the battery Ford sells as it has a vent tube that you cannot find on any aftermarket battery.

Ford's standard oil is a synthetic blend, but they will also do an oil change with full synthetic for a higher cost.

[Leroy]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

mrmotions, As far as the battery goes, your best bet is to go to a Ford dealer and get the right battery. Because these batteries are located in the trunk of our cars they are built with a vent that is connected to a hose and vented to the outside. Don't put a battery in that is not vented. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \_____________________________________________

[Jim Young]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

I use ford's blend like they recommend... but change at 4000 rather than 5000 as they recommend. I do the same with my wife's lincoln avaitor. she has 120K miles on it with little or no oil loss between 4K changes.

[Lindy]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

Howdy Don? First oil change? Is it correct to assume your'e the second owner? Bought my '05 which had the oil changed at about 450 miles, by the previous owner, not sure of the time frame. but in October '09 had the oil changed at about 1300 miles, and again today at about 1510 miles. IMO motor oil should be changed at least once a year if not twice, even if you logue very frugal mileage. Never asked the Ford service dapartment what kind of oil they used, I'd have to look on my invoice. As for the battery, definitely go with the Ford OEM 650 cranking amps, however, Ford now offers a similar battery rated at 750 cranking amps. Mine was replaced with the exact match, as what the '05 came with, and I also used the Battery Tender.

[texasbird]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

Not to step on any toes around the site as our members provide a wealth of wonderful information, but... Saying that only a Ford Battery works is a misconception, and may create hardship for owners who must replace the battery when a Ford supplier isn't close at hand.

The Battery is a "Group 65" created specifically for the Thunderbird and the Lincoln LS. It has the vent tube receptacle on the side, and will accept the stock tube, or a replacement if yours is starting to deteriorate. There are multiple battery manufacturers who have chosen to build to the required specs, and are available through a number of outlets, ie: Auto Zone, Napa, O'Rielley's, etc.

The only questions at this point are whether the Ford Battery is superior to the others on the market, or if having a Motorcraft battery adds value to the car.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

Our 2005 Bird just hit 2000 miles and we want to give her the first oil change.

What do you all recommend ?? Is synthetic the way to go or not?? By the way, our original battery just refused to take a charge. Any recommendations on that would also be appreciated. We need a battery that holds up well during long periods of storage .....we do use a battery tender.

We are currently at our home in Indialantic Beach. Florida......any Bird stuff going on around here???? Thanks.....Don & Janyce

I hope your not saying this is the actual first oil change in five years. If
your only putting on four hundred miles per year change the oil and filter on
a yearly basis. Oil and filter are the cheapest insurance you can purchase for your car.

[Swalker]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

I would run it another 2000 miles on the regular blend. I bet rings are not seated yet.

[Bird03]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

Not to step on any toes around the site as our members provide a wealth of wonderful information, but... Saying that only a Ford Battery works is a misconception, and may create hardship for owners who must replace the battery when a Ford supplier isn't close at hand.

I was only relaying information I have seen on this site previously. I have seen others use different batteries, but they did not have a vent. In the Sears service computer it says that Die-Hards are not available for the T-Bird.

If you know of a manufacturer and model number, please let us know.

I might try a different battery next time if I can find one.

Thanks

Wes

[Lonestar]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

Not to step on any toes around the site as our members provide a wealth of wonderful information, but... Saying that only a Ford Battery works is a misconception, and may create hardship for owners who must replace the battery when a Ford supplier isn't close at hand.

The Battery is a "Group 65" created specifically for the Thunderbird and the Lincoln LS. It has the vent tube receptacle on the side, and will accept the stock tube, or a replacement if yours is starting to deteriorate. There are multiple battery manufacturers who have chosen to build to the required specs, and are available through a number of outlets, ie: Auto Zone, Napa, O'Rielley's, etc.

The only questions at this point are whether the Ford Battery is superior to the others on the market, or if having a Motorcraft battery adds value to the car.

Wow! I thought the Ford price was high for a MC battery @ $109. Checked Auto Zone and the correct battery (vented) is $129.99. However, it is good that the aftermarket is starting to carry batteries we can install correctly.

[PaulD]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

I was only relaying information I have seen on this site previously. I have seen others use different batteries, but they did not have a vent. In the Sears service computer it says that Die-Hards are not available for the T-Bird.

If you know of a manufacturer and model number, please let us know.

I might try a different battery next time if I can find one.

Thanks

Wes

Gold Duralast 66-DLG at AutoZone.






Warranty:8 YR


Notes:*** 750 cold cranking Amps (935 cranking Amps) *** 140 reserve minutes. -> 3 year free replacement <- Battery is vented to outside of vehicle. Labor intensive installation, 30 minute installation. Located in trunk.

[farmbird]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

Price check the different brands of oils and you will find that you are only saving a few dollars by no using the Ford recommended oil. It really isn't worth shopping around for other brands.

As far a the batteries goes, I think Ford really makes a superior battery right now. My battery on an 05 just gave up and what could you expect after 5 years. The other thing to consider is that is never leaked a drop of acid like so many of the other brands do.

Don't worry about using the syntheic oil at 2000 miles. Car manufacturers haven't used break-in oils for a long time and problems with rings not seating is also a thing of the past.

[Lonestar]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

The original post also asked about oil. If you do a search on oil many threads will appear and the information therein will help you decide.

One word of caution if you go to a dealership or quick change place; These facilities purchase the cheapest bulk oil they can get and what is in the drum during one visit might not be the same stuff in the drum at you next visit. And the oil in the drum is usually not named brand stuff and sometimes not even the correct viscosity. If you desire a specific brand then the only way you are going to be sure you get that brand is to see the individual bottles being poured into your engine.

[Leroy]

Re: Synthetic Oil or Not and First new battery

I have found that the best battery out there is the Odyssey. But it's pricey and needs no vent and will out preform the Ford battery. It's the only battery that is not considered hazardous material and can be shipped air freight. Might be the battery of the future for our cars. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \_______________________________________________