how often to change oil

[E'sBird]

Re: how often to change oil

Oh, my this is an interesting discussion....I have a GTO - 2005 that I bought brand new with Mobil 1 in the crank. At 2,500 miles I changed it over to Amzoil 0w-30 full synthetic. I change the filter at 12,000 and run the oil for 25,000. The car has 135,000 miles on it and does not use a drop of oil for the full 25,000. Almost all of my driving is highway. I use Amzoil EA air filter and oil filter. Synthetic is a whole different breed of oil from dino. I would suggest that you do research. Since the T-Bird has over 96,000, I will remain with 5w-20 synthetic blend. With Amzoil filters I would not have any qualms running 7,000 miles per oil change. Some folks are not comfortable with those kind of numbers and certainly it is up to you. Synthetic responds differently to the by products of combustion than does dino. Again, do your research. There is lots out there on the internet.

[Lonestar]

Re: how often to change oil

Amsoil does not make an oil filter for the 3.9L but do make an air filter that is excellent. I started using Amsoil 0W20 in my Thunderbird when Amsoil first released the 0W20. Like all Amsoil products, wonderful stuff but I am a dealer so I could be bias.

[E'sBird]

Re: how often to change oil

Amsoil does not make an oil filter for the 3.9L but do make an air filter that is excellent. I started using Amsoil 0W20 in my Thunderbird when Amsoil first released the 0W20. Like all Amsoil products, wonderful stuff but I am a dealer so I could be bias.

I am not a dealer but I have been using it for 30 years. I would not run anything else. I will be changing my new bird to Amsoil soon. By the way, where is the oil filter? What filter do you use?

[Lonestar]

Re: how often to change oil

I am not a dealer but I have been using it for 30 years. I would not run anything else. I will be changing my new bird to Amsoil soon. By the way, where is the oil filter? What filter do you use?

If you open the hood and look down just behind the radiator you will see it setting horizontally – can not get to it but you can see it. It is very easy to take off from under the car. From underneath it is just beyond the flat air deflector / splash guard.

I use the MotorCraft filter for it is a nice piece. If MC was not available I would use Napa Gold or Wix (one and the same). Absolutely no orange can of death. I believe Bosch who now owns Purolator makes a filter for the Thunderbird but not their super duper one – just the standard filter and it has nothing over the MC or Napa Gold.

[E'sBird]

Re: how often to change oil

If you open the hood and look down just behind the radiator you will see it setting horizontally – can not get to it but you can see it. It is very easy to take off from under the car. From underneath it is just beyond the flat air deflector / splash guard.

I use the MotorCraft filter for it is a nice piece. If MC was not available I would use Napa Gold or Wix (one and the same). Absolutely no orange can of death. I believe Bosch who now owns Purolator makes a filter for the Thunderbird but not their super duper one – just the standard filter and it has nothing over the MC or Napa Gold.

Took your advice...one NAPA gold with 5w 30 full synthetic. After the research, I think I am good to go. We will see. I will be watching the oil dip stick.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: how often to change oil

Oil Change instructions forMen :
1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, use your debit card for $50.00.
2) Stop by 7/11 and buy a case of beer, (debit $20), drive home.
3) Open a beer and drink it.
4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7) Place drain pan under engine.
8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
9) Give up and use crescent wrench.
10) Unscrew drain plug.
11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.
12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.
13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.
14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.
16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.
17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.
18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
19) Remember drain plug from step 11..
20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
21) Drink beer.
22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill..
23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.
24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.
25) Begin cussing fit.
26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.
27) Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy..
28) Beer.
29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.
30) Beer.
31) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil..
32) Beer.
33) Lower car from jack stands.
34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.
35) Beer.
36) Test drive car.
37) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.
38) Car gets impounded.
39) Call loving wife, make bail.
40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:

Parts: $50.00

DUI: $2500.00
Impound fee: $75..00
Bail: $1500.00
Beer: $20..00
Total:

$4,145.00

But you

know the job was done right!

[V8 Cat]

Re: how often to change oil

Numbers 15 and 16 are the reasons I have not done my own oil changes since 1976 when I ended-up having to have a VW Scirroco towed to a shop to complete the oil change I messed up since the screwdriver though the filter method of removing it did not work. That only tore a bigger hole in the filter. It cost me more than five times what the shop would have charged to change the oil in the first place. My wife was not pleased with how the driveway looked after my aborted do-it-yourself operation either.

[Gobird]

Re: how often to change oil

I have done it myself all my life but it's harder to craw under the car now and my Ford dealer does it cheaper then what the materials would cost me to do it myself. Plus, I no longer have to haul the used oil back to Advanced Auto except for oil changes in my riding mower.

[Rondor]

Re: how often to change oil

I quit chaninging oil myself years ago, found it not really worth the hassle, but have a near by independent that have used for 30 + years. I never understood why people have trouble understanding this issue. Your weather and other driving conditions dust dirt roads, city or highway are all factors, but clean oil is the life blood of your engine. Clean oil and new filter every 3-5,000 miles should lead to never wearing out an engine, especially with todays oils. I remeber as a kid in the 50's buying re-refined oil for .25 cents a quart for my flathead Fords, which were wore out when I got them.
( Gas was .25 too unless a gas war going on )

[jerrym3]

Re: how often to change oil

I still change the oil myself on the 64 Galaxie and the 94 TBird. Haven't done the LS or TBird myself, yet.

On the Galaxie, you can almost do the job without ramps.

As for the 94 TBird (4.6 engine), what were they thinking?

The filter is in a ridiculous spot to get to, and must be wiggled around to get it out.

So, I let it drop and sit there till it cools off. Then I wiggle it out. Of course, there's still oil in the filter that pours out, but at least it's cool.

Ford knew this, I believe, because a side/side chassis brace under the motor has a little dimple in it at the lowest point which acts as a spout. This helps keep the dripping oil from sitting in/on the chassis brace.

Cuss every time.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: how often to change oil

All our vehicles - every 6 mos, regardless of mileage (we average about 1500-2000 miles per year per car). Fortunately, my oil changes are free at my Ford dealer (a perk of being a preferred customer for over 30 years).

I don't have the "Free" option but I agree with your timing.

Same twice a year thing here with a "twist" because we're in the North-east.

The year 'round drivers get changed in April and Oct.

The Summer rides get changed twice too but timing depends on the weather and when they come off the road. I change 'em when they get parked at the end of the season and on Aug 1 the average "middle" of the summer driving season.

On a side note........ I push snow in a really long driveway each winter with my truck so it gets a transmission fluid change each year too. Not exactly the most fun job in the world but necessary when you keep vehicles as long as I do it seems like an easy insurance thing.
Modern automatics are just soooooooo.......darned expensive now. The PIA once a year seems well worth it.

[keithwand]

Re: how often to change oil

Once a year; oil and filter.

Even then I am asked if I'm sure I want it changed since it looks like new.

I have had the brake fluid changed as the technician said it looked like crystalizing or something on the surface. He thinks the cap doesn't fit tight and noticed some leakage.

Since the car is 5 years old I think I'll have the radiator flushed and new coolant added.

Any thoughts what else should be done for proper maintenance?

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: how often to change oil

I CHANGE MY OIL AND FILTER EVERY FIVE THOUSAND MILES OR EVERY FIVE THOUSAND MILES, WHICH EVER ONE COMES FIRST. ROTATE TIRES EVERY TEN THOUSAND MILES. FILTERS AT FOURTY THOUSAND AND BRAKES AS NEEDED.

[Leroy]

Re: how often to change oil

I get a oil change and filter every Spring, plus a tire rotation at my Ford dealer, plus they inspect everything. I've just about got 19000 miles on my TBird now. This Spring I'm also getting new tires, nothing wrong with the ones on it except they're the original tires and I think they're getting too old to be safe. I still do my own oil changes in my 1948 Willys CJ2A, It's really hard to get the oil filter off, I had to make a special tool and use a stubby filter. There isn't room for a full size filter, the 289 V8 takes up all the space, the battery is behind the passenger seat. I also take my truck and the Wifes Malibu to the dealer for service. Now the Malibu tells you when the oil life is up, usually about every 6000 miles. Leroy

\ \ \ \ \_____________________________________

[tbird05cel]

Re: how often to change oil

Oil Change instructions forMen :
1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, use your debit card for $50.00.

LOL, get a cat and recycle your kitty litter like I do!!!!