Oil change interval?
Recently bought a used Ford Focus from the dealer. Re: the sticker on the windshield, I asked, "Do you use a 3000 or 5000 suggested oil change interval. He answered, they used 5000 for awhile but got ...
Forum Discussion
Jayco-noslide wrote:My suggestion, as well.
Consumer Reports did some research on this several years ago; the only real research I've ever seen. They dismantled the engines of New York taxis after various oil change intervals. Found no difference in wear; no support for frequent changes. They recommended- follow the manual.
Ford V 10 recommends a synblend (Motorcraft) and changes at 3K miles. This probably includes maintenance for "severe duty" environment and use. An owner could stretch that out, IMO, if grocery getting or easy use is typical. I have the Ford V8 and the same recommendations. I change at around 4K miles. Truck has 200K miles.
Oil changes have to be thought of in the terms of use and environment as engine oil can carry a lot of dirt and typical long interval changes may not be best. Saab and some other Mfgs have found this out when they recommended 15K as the interval. They ended up replacing engines under warranty or extending warranty.
For most doing their own maintenance the owner's manual is a good reference. Oil is still relatively cheap and, IMO, short change intervals have advantage.
