PDA

View Full Version : Early first oil change?



Heavy D.
05-20-2003, 06:16 AM
Hi again,
Curious what you all think about changing the oil at 1500 miles. I've always imagined that the oil from the factory would contain contaminants; byproducts of the manufacturing process, like metal shavings, light machine oil from the parts, etc. Can any technical types confirm my suspicions, or is this a waste of money?

RF Overlord
05-20-2003, 06:38 AM
Heavy:

I changed my oil for the first time at ~1000 miles...for the same reasons you suggested...

Was that a waste of money? I don't know, but it certainly can't hurt, and it made me feel better...I did the same thing to my Thunderbird SC and it went 152,000 miles with only the normally accepted problems, no internal issues, and no abnormal oil consumption...

Blue Marauder
05-20-2003, 06:39 AM
Originally posted by Heavy D.
Hi again,
Curious what you all think about changing the oil at 1500 miles. I've always imagined that the oil from the factory would contain contaminants; byproducts of the manufacturing process, like metal shavings, light machine oil from the parts, etc. Can any technical types confirm my suspicions, or is this a waste of money?

If there are metal shavings in the engine left over from manufacturing, I think your engine would be in a world of hurt by now. "Break-in" oil changes disappeared many years ago. Waste of money.

WolfeBros
05-20-2003, 06:59 AM
If it makes you feel better and gives you peace of mind.....go for it. Who are we to say to anybody that it is a waste of money? Oil is cheap. IMHO and of course I could be wrong. ;)

gonzo50
05-20-2003, 07:02 AM
Did my own first oil change at 1500 mi. and I took the Marauder in for service at 3000 mi. The dealer did that oil change just to have it on record. Just went over 5000 mi. and took her in again to the dealer for service. So far I have over 5000mi. and three oil changes with filters and I'm comfortable with that. :rock:

bchapman
05-20-2003, 07:47 AM
I have always changed my oil & filter at 1,000 and every 3,000 thereafter. Our cars are run pretty hard. I believe the secret to longevity is a clean, quality oil.

Bigdogjim
05-20-2003, 09:47 AM
Originally posted by bchapman
I have always changed my oil & filter at 1,000 and every 3,000 thereafter. Our cars are run pretty hard. I believe the secret to longevity is a clean, quality oil.

Heed this advice...I have seen more people send cars to an early grave because they would send a few bucks for oil:confused:

There is no getting around it the oil is the life blood of the engine..

Blue Marauder
05-20-2003, 10:49 AM
40 years ago, the recommended oil change interval for full size Fords was 5000 miles. Today it is still 5000 miles for the normal schedule. What has changed in 40 years? Oil today is much better than it was 40 years ago. Show me the proof that today's engines will last longer when the oil is changed every 3000 miles vice 5000 miles. Shoot, why not just equip all cars with a 55 gallon drum of oil and a continuous feed to replace the oil as it is burned/leaks and just change the filter.

LincMercLover
05-20-2003, 10:59 AM
I canged mine at 1000 miles the first time. I also converted to Mobil one FULL Synthetic 5W30 at that time too. My last oil change was at 5000 miles.

Like Sarge always says, the oil good oil, is clean oil. I believe he's changing every 2500 or so.

Murader03
05-20-2003, 11:09 PM
Changed mine at 1500 miles, dealer change at 5000 miles and have been running the 5000 mile change since. I'm comfortable with this distance as it runs off about every 60 to 75 days. It 85% highway mileage as I average about 500 miles give or take a week. Quickly approaching 21000 on the beast!

RCSignals
05-21-2003, 12:10 AM
The 3,000 mile change is recommended for Severe Duty use, which includes both infrequent, low mileage use, and frequent, hard driving

I thought the recommended oil change interval of 40 years ago was more like 2,000 miles

Bigdogjim
05-21-2003, 05:20 AM
Originally posted by Blue Marauder
. Show me the proof that today's engines will last longer when the oil is changed every 3000 miles vice 5000 miles.

The only way I know to do this is have a oil sample send to a lab and see what in the oil(if anything) and then track it for a set period of time. After a few oil changes you will be able to see whats going on..

Ross
05-21-2003, 11:43 AM
Call me old fashioned, and say I'm wasting money, but I changed my oil and filter at 1,000 miles and every 3,000 miles after that. All oil changes were at the dealer, with dealer supplied Ford oil and filter.

Fourth Horseman
05-22-2003, 11:48 AM
I'm sure it is an unnecessary expense, but I just felt better changing my oil at 1500, 3000 and then every 3000 after that.

The cost was worth my peace of mind.

jgc61sr2002
05-22-2003, 12:29 PM
I always change the oil and filter after 1,000 miles on a new vehicle. Changing the oil is the life blood of the engine and can never be a waste of money. Then at 3,000 miles or three months which ever occurs first. IMHO. John

nexstar7
05-22-2003, 04:41 PM
i changed mine at 1,500 three weeks ago. and got a free one still coming to me. i think i'll do them every 2000 with what they spec out 5w20 premium synthetic blend. 6.0 quarts. i only put about 200 miles a month. if i am lucky

Blue Marauder
05-22-2003, 07:18 PM
Originally posted by RCSignals
I thought the recommended oil change interval of 40 years ago was more like 2,000 miles

Just checked the full size Ford and Mercury shop manual from 1964. It states that the recommended oil and filter change intervals were 6 months or 6000 miles whichever came first. I always changed oil every 5000 miles because it was easier to remember the increments.

Also found this interesting statement:

"Use of SAE 10W-30 oil will provide the proper viscosity for all normal ranges of outside temperature. For operation at sustained outside temperatures below -10 degrees F. a 5W-20 oil should be used."

My, how times have changed. I didn't even realize they had 5W-20 oil 40 years ago!

Kelly
05-23-2003, 07:20 AM
My new dump truck said to chancge the oil every 15,000 miles or every six months or 550 gallons of fuel which ever comes first. I changed the Marauder at 1,000 and have change it at every 2,000 miles after that. I'am a 2,000 mile changer, an old habit thats hard to break.

SergntMac
05-23-2003, 09:23 AM
So, we're back on the oil again, eh? This is what, the 4th oil related thread in as many weeks. I think we're getting kind of bored, wouldn't you say? I'm going to have to look around, see what kind of controversy I can start, or add to.

Meanwhile, my program is fresh 5W20 dealer supplied oil and "recommended" filter every 2K, for 28 bucks. I also get to walk around under the car, see what I've run over lately, or, if anything is running out. With my first year and 10K miles creeping up on me, and considering all the stupid things I put this car through, 148 bucks a year is cheap insurance that everything is okay with my Girl.

Now...How 'bout them shocks...What are we gonna replace them?

Bad Boy Merc
05-23-2003, 12:05 PM
This hot rod is new car number six for me and like all the ones before, I have always changed oil the first time before 1000 miles, to minimize damage caused by metal particles. I changed it at 900 miles on my Marauder. When I emptied the drain pan there were many small metal flakes in the bottom of the pan. The second change at 2800 miles was done by a dealer after a 2000 mile fast trip to the midwest. I changed it the third time at 5000 miles after the 2000 mile trip back to the west coast. I found metal in the drain pan again. I have only driven it 100 miles since then, but intend to get the dealer to do***ent the metal, just in case.

Blue Marauder
05-23-2003, 12:35 PM
Originally posted by robert washburn
This hot rod is new car number six for me and like all the ones before, I have always changed oil the first time before 1000 miles, to minimize damage caused by metal particles. I changed it at 900 miles on my Marauder. When I emptied the drain pan there were many small metal flakes in the bottom of the pan. The second change at 2800 miles was done by a dealer after a 2000 mile fast trip to the midwest. I changed it the third time at 5000 miles after the 2000 mile trip back to the west coast. I found metal in the drain pan again. I have only driven it 100 miles since then, but intend to get the dealer to do***ent the metal, just in case.

If you are finding metal flakes in your used oil, then you really have a problem. Get to the dealer ASAP.

merc406
05-23-2003, 01:06 PM
Doing an oil change after the few first hundred miles on a new engine is common sence, I don't care what anyone tells you. Oil IS cheap.

jgc61sr2002
05-23-2003, 02:50 PM
robert washburn - Welcome to the Mercury Marauder site. You came to the right. John:up:

JohnnyB
05-23-2003, 06:24 PM
Taking mine in for an oil change next week, including some warranty work (headlight lenses fog, transmission linkage adjustment...) Have approx 900 miles on the car. Always changed oil at 2,500 mile intervals

Dr Caleb
05-28-2003, 02:40 PM
Originally posted by JohnnyB
Taking mine in for an oil change next week, including some warranty work (headlight lenses fog, transmission linkage adjustment...) Have approx 900 miles on the car. Always changed oil at 2,500 mile intervals
Your headlights are fogging too? I have less than 3000 km (600 miles) and I get that if I power wash, or the temp drops below 0c. The rear end looks like there is moisture in the oil as well. Looks like a trip to the dealer.
________
buy vapor genie (http://vaporizers.net/vapor-genie)