how often to change oil

[NotU]

Re: how often to change oil

I have the Thunderbird's oil changed annually...usually about 5,000 miles per year, it has been more. My thinking on changing oil on a car that sits is like changing the oil inventory. How long does it sit on the shelf in bottles before you buy it?
Like LeRoy's Malibu, my wife's 2000 Tahoe tells us when to change. That's also about 5,000 miles.
Randy Mattson

[Gobird]

Re: how often to change oil

My Ford 500 also tells you when to change the oil but I don't think it is based on mileage because it comes up sometimes long before we even get 3,000 miles on the clock. I think it may also be based on time. Never kept track of the time intervals, I just reset it if I don't have the 3,000 miles on it.

[rthirdbird]

Re: how often to change oil

On the 05 Cashmere every spring when I get her out of storage, as acid gets in the oil after sitting five months. Have had the car 5 years and have 5K on her that makes it every 1K miles. The 02 Tbird get changed every 3K. Always at the Ford dealer for both.

[Lonegoose]

Re: how often to change oil

I've had my T-Bird for only a few weeks but have been thinking about changing the oil. From past service records it looks like it was done in January. I have always changed the oil in all my vehicals. I was looking over the Bird and was wondering where in the heck is the oil filter? Do you need to remove something to get to it? It doesn't seem as easy as my Tahoe or PU.......What oil and filter would you recommend? AD

[Gobird]

Re: how often to change oil

Anthony, Up until I retired I took care of this myself just like you do, since then I have the dealer that does it for $15.00.

As for location of the filter, you can't see it from under the hood but jack the car up and use jack stands and use your crawler. It's easy to spot under the car and is very easy to get at. Turns straight down and drains without any problem. When I did it myself I used the recommended oil, Motor Craft with either a Motor Craft filter or a Purolator.

My 02 takes 6qt. but from 03 and above they take 6 1/2 qt. because of an added oil cooler.

[Lonestar]

Re: how often to change oil

The only way for you to know how your engine is doing based on your driving, mileage, conditions, etc., etc. is to have an Used Oil Analysis (UOA) performed. However, since those run from $25.00 and up most will not go to the trouble or expense. But, UOAs are excellent at giving you a hint of stuff that is happening prior to it being problem or leaving you stranded. Stuff like coolant, silicon (dirt), and etc can be detected long before you would know it other wise but again, most people will not go to the trouble of having a UOA done.

In regards to oil. It is hard to find a bad one today especially a 0W or 5W-20. The syn-blend recommendation in the manual is because that when these cars came out conventional oils in 5W-20 would not provide the protection needed and handle the heat these engine generate. MotorCraft’s 5W20 Syn-Blend oil (made by Conoco-Phillips) is a very good oil and is extremely reasonable at Wally World. It will serve you well for 5K or 6 months but at that point it has reached it limit. Conoco-Phillips new flag ship oil is Kendall which is a step up from what is in the MotorCraft bottles.

The hardest service an engine experiences is short trip driving generally less than 10 miles at temps below 75 degrees. The reason being that it take an engine usually 10 miles to reach full operating temp and only then do the additives start fighting moisture that has accumulated, fuel dilution, acids, and the other junk that builds in you crack case while you are not thinking about it.

Most of us drive our Thunderbird under what the manual would call severe conditions. Oh no, net me! Oh, yes, you. To combat this you need a robust oil with additive packs that can handle these conditions. The boutique oils like Redline (Group V oil, true full synthetic), Amsoil (Group IV oil, true full synthetic), and others are formulate to go long time period and long mileage but most will not pay $9. or more per qt. So for those who do not drive a lot and want to change only once a year then oils like Mobil 1 Extended Protection, Castrol Edge, and the new Pennzoil Ultra just might be for you. With the exception of Pennzoil Ultra, these are all Group III base stocks with some Group IV in the mix. Pennzoil Ultra is a Group III oil but performs extremely well even when compared to true synthetics. A sleeper oil now-a-days is Valvolin. If you look at a Valvolin Virgin Oil Analysis there is nothing that makes you think it would be any good but since their latest reformulation the stuff is producing excellent UOAs and wide verity of engines.

If I may, do not spend you hard earned cash on standard Mobil1. Standard Mobil1 use to be a true full synthetic Group IV oil but it is now only a Group III that is still priced as if it were a Group IV. On the other hand, Mobil1 Extended Protection and their newer Mobil1 Advanced Fuel Economy have Group IV in them and thus worth the price of the ticket if you want to use Mobil1.

Bottom line, if you use a SM/GF-4 rated 5W-20 Syn-Blend like MotorCraft you can easily get 6 month or 5K miles out of it. If you want to change only once a year and you do not drive that much then spend a bit more and get a 0W or 5W-20 Mobil1 EP, Castrol Edge, Valvolin Synthetic, Mobil1 Advanced Fuel Economy, or Pennzoil Ultra. For the ultimate in protection then it is time for Redline or Amsoil but these boutique oils are an overkill for how we drive these cars.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: how often to change oil

Every 3,000 in the past and in the future.

I agree with the 3,000 mile oil and filter cheapest insurance you can buy.
For the garage queens 1,500 miles a year change the oil and filter once a
year but do it before you store it. Way back when you got a oil and lube every 1,000 miles and if the car had a filter every other change. Anybody
remember the term grease monkey they went out with the term soda jerks.

[Carmino]

Re: how often to change oil

Only 1500 mi a yr, Full synthetic, So its once a year in October. My daily drivers 3000 to 4000 Full synthetic.Oil is cheap my engine is Not. 7000 mi is way to long. 4000 is it for my daily drivers.

[Ediron]

Re: how often to change oil

I remember talking to an old timer from WWII who was in maintenance in an armored division (3rd) .He told me at that time when they drained the oil from tanks,personal carriers etc.it was not thrown away.They ran it through a series of filters to clean dirt etc. out.According to him the oil came out pretty clean.Of course different times and machines.How many remember bottled oil or reclaimed oil ?

[Gobird]

Re: how often to change oil

My dad use to buy that at a place called "Working Mans Friend" gas station.

[Treken]

Re: how often to change oil

When I was young, I used to change my oil after the winter was over and before the winter started. I drove alot of miles, and the oil was really black when changed, I usually drove back then 20,000-25,000 miles a year. I never had no major oil problem with engines with miles over 150,000 miles on them but I always got rid of them at or before that time...

With my 2002 Thunderbird, and Kathy's 1996 Thunderbird, I change the oil every 5,000 Kilometers (3,000 miles)...

My mechanic tells me I am overkilling the change with Full Synthetics. He changes his every 4,000 miles...

[HeelBird]

Re: how often to change oil

The folks who do my oil changes and maintenance checks always put the next change is due in 3,000 miles.

I've always used the 5k rule. Enterprise, the '95 SuperCoupe, has around 225,000 miles, with no engine troubles.


I recall the time that some oil filters said they were good for 15k between changes. THAT, I never bought into.

[jerrym3]

Re: how often to change oil

I think every 3,000 is overkill. But, I do change the oil every 9 months or so regardless of mileage.

Then, I sat back and thought for a minute.

At my age, it doesn't matter if I get 70,000, 100,00, 150,00, or 200,000 miles on the motor. In my lifespan, I'll never see those figures, and my offspring could car less about the retro, although one daughter wants my 64 Ford Galaxie.

Bottom line, at every 9 months, I'm being too fussy, but it gives me a feeling of doing something right.

Maybe.

It's the trans, not the motor, that has me concerned.

[Lonegoose]

Re: how often to change oil

Thanks Spence for the info. I will give it a go first oil change and see If it's worth the hassle of doing it myself...AD

[Chuck]

Re: how often to change oil

Once a year - less than 1,000 miles --> looks just like it did when I put it in. If you go more than 3 make sure your filter is rated the same or you may have to change your filter at 3 but the oil at 5+