Oil question

[rwhgme]

I am wondering if you all use Motorcraft oil or a different brand when you change your oil. I am a fan of full synthetic oil...since the early '90's with a Monte Carlo...to a Supercharged Grand Prix, to a 2010 BMW 335. What say all of you? Also, what mileage interval? I know the manual says 10,000 miles, but do you do a rough service interval at 5,000-7,500 miles? Thanks everyone!

[GrySql]

There are quite a few 'oil' discussions in the maintenance section, have a look, maybe your answer is there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Post moved to Maintenance Section)

[lolder]

Rough service conditions are rare. That's kind of like dirt road driving. I think !0,000 mile oil changes are fine. The car should need no maintenance other than what's in the book. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I think any semi-synthetic or synthetic is good. If you want to make the higher price of synthetic worthwhile you would have to go to 20,000 mile changes. Oil doesn't wear out but it gets contaminates in it and that's really the reason for oil and filter changes. Don't have any maintenance done other than what's in the book except when the car tells you there's a problem or you notice something.

Edited March 19, 2015 by lolder

[Griswald]

100% synthetic oil, brands really dont make that much of a difference. Quality oil filters. change it when the car tells you to, any earlier is just like using premium gasoline. (you feel better, but you are really throwing your money away)

[TonyHzNV]

I decided to put my car on a 5K mile schedule to coincide with tire rotation and I took it into my (selling) Ford dealer and had "The Works" done with synthetic blend oil. $43 out the door without coupon, plus the included multi-point inspection. I don't know that I want to wait 10K without having anything looked at. I realize there will be many differing views about this and this just happens to be mine.

[Easy Rider]

I compromised.

Oil and tires at about 7500.

I refuse to take it in JUST for tire rotation and leaving the oil change for 10K just makes me nervous.

[nv rick]

We got an extended service plan and chose the 5,000 mile service option. I like the idea of 5K tire rotation and changing oil at 5K can't do anything but good for the car. It's nice to drive into the dealer, relax in the lounge and then walk out to a clean car without pulling out my wallet.

[Griswald]

For those of you doing shorter duration oil changes...you do realize that this is a hybrid vehicle and the gas engine will only run somewhere around half the time. A 5000 mile oil change may only have 2500 to 3000 miles on the oil.

 

Just sayin'

[md13ffhguy]

A bunch of Nervous Nellies in here! I go with full synthetic when the car tells me it's time (approx 10k). I rotate the tires periodically, too. I'm not too concerned about them, though. Every 8-10k works for me. At 35k, my tires still look pretty good.

[corncobs]

A bunch of Nervous Nellies in here! I go with full synthetic when the car tells me it's time (approx 10k). I rotate the tires periodically, too. I'm not too concerned about them, though. Every 8-10k works for me. At 35k, my tires still look pretty good.

Same here > there is a reason why the car has an oil life monitor.

 

I believe if we would have to pay the same / similar price for an oil change like they do in Germany everyone would just believe in the cars computer and not waste money by changing oil every 5k.

[dalesky]

I am wondering if you all use Motorcraft oil or a different brand when you change your oil. I am a fan of full synthetic oil...since the early '90's with a Monte Carlo...to a Supercharged Grand Prix, to a 2010 BMW 335. What say all of you? Also, what mileage interval? I know the manual says 10,000 miles, but do you do a rough service interval at 5,000-7,500 miles? Thanks everyone!

Dealer uses their blend,and I am confident 10000 mi is ok. I use full synthetic on my Mustang Gt and drive it hard. It stays clean for over 10000 mi.

[TonyHzNV]

For those of you doing shorter duration oil changes...you do realize that this is a hybrid vehicle and the gas engine will only run somewhere around half the time. A 5000 mile oil change may only have 2500 to 3000 miles on the oil.

 

Just sayin'

OMG!!! I bought a HYBRID??? Man, I wish someone had told me that before!!! No kidding? The engine only runs about half the time? I'm pretty sure the wheels turn all the time though, so there probably IS 5000 miles on the tires when I rotate them RR to LF, LR to RF, and the LF & RF straight back. Nah, I don't wanna wait til 10K to do that cuz I want even wear and opposite direction rotation to keep them riding smooth. And like I said before, I LIKE the MULTI-POINT inspection. You only find problems by looking or having it looked at. I'd rather that happen more often than less. I'm not nervous about letting the oil go to 10K, I just choose to have things looked at, tires rotated, and oil changed all at the same easy to remember interval. That's all. So don't call me a Nervous Nellie!!!! It's a free country and I can waste my money as I please! I spent almost 21 years in the Army defending my right to do so!!!! So, :-P :baby:

[md13ffhguy]

Wait until they start finding problems during those MULTI-POINT inspections!!! ;)

[TonyHzNV]

Wait until they start finding problems during those MULTI-POINT inspections!!! ;)

Well, you know, it's always better to find cancer in the early stages!! You know, before it spreads! Just sayin'! :)

[rwhgme]

Another question about these cars and oil changes...this car starts and stops frequently. The many starts it can make during a 20 mile stop and go trip will/should INCREASE wear on an engine. And to the person talking about oil changes in Germany...even BMW has a severe duty oil change recommendation...7500 miles, not 15,000. I had Mobil One full synthetic in my 1998 Modified Grand Prix GTX and it had 181,000 miles on it and never needed any added oil between 5000 mile changes. It also had zero engine related issues. It was modded from stock to produce 350 FWD HP and was used as such. But it also got 33 mpg on the highway if I stayed out of the Supercharger. You all have given me good food for thought.

[mwr]

It's a free country and I can waste my money as I please! I spent almost 21 years in the Army defending my right to do so!!!! So, :-P :baby:

$43 every 5,000 miles isn't much money to "waste" :-)

[mwr]

I intend to let the dealer do the service whenever it comes up (10,000 miles, or less if the car says so). Their "works" price, I think similar to that mentioned above, seems very fair, even low. Time will tell if this dealer uses service visits to tell you you need to fix things that don't need fixing (the "standard" dealership ploy). It was popular on the Subaru forum I frequented to call them stealerships :-)

Edited March 20, 2015 by mwr

[corncobs]

Referencing a German car magazine that lists the oil change interval for a lot of cars.

 

The shortest I can see is 9375 miles (15000km) /12month then there are a few 12500/12 and the majority including Audi/ BMW/ VW are 18750/24 or based on display.

 

The European Fusion counterpart Mondeo comes in at 12500/12 for the regular ICE.

 

I'm not trying to get into a heated discussion I'm just saying dealers are making a nice buck recommending oil change intervals at 5k.

 

I'm also not saying it's wrong if you do and if its combined with tire rotation (whole nother topic) and having things checked out for piece of mind it keeps everyone happy ;-)

 

Personally I remove the 5k/6month recommendation sticker every time when I get my car back from an oil change.

[md13ffhguy]

I'm not trying to get into a heated discussion I'm just saying dealers are making a nice buck recommending oil change intervals at 5k.

 

And i guarantee it's not so much about the profit on an oil change that the dealer is looking for. They want to develop a consistent, long-term relationship (aka a revenue stream).

 

I'm not criticizing anyone for having a dealer do oil changes at any interval they, the customer, chooses. All I'm suggesting is that the customer should be aware of the above. In the end, their goal is to get you to open your wallet as much as possible AND to feel good about it when you do! I totally get that some have more resources than others, and are not as concerned about the specific costs of ownership, or are just inclined to be comfortable with those costs at a higher level.

 

Me? I keep tight control over what comes out of my wallet. Call it frugal or cheap, it is what it is. I'm just generally distrustful of those who seek a piece of my resources, especially when they claim to be giving me a deal...

[Griswald]

 

... I spent almost 21 years in the Army defending my right to do so!!!! So, :-P :baby:

Thank you for your service.

[Easy Rider]

For those of you doing shorter duration oil changes...you do realize that this is a hybrid vehicle and the gas engine will only run somewhere around half the time. A 5000 mile oil change may only have 2500 to 3000 miles on the oil.

 

Just sayin'

Good point but I seriously doubt that the percentage is anywhere close to 50%.

 

The ICE stops when the car does so no engine time but no miles either.

 

While it's going down the road, my engine runs at least 70% of the time.

ALL of the energy used comes from the gas engine (unless you have a plug-in) so it really can't be much less than that long term.

[Easy Rider]

Another question about these cars and oil changes...this car starts and stops frequently. The many starts it can make during a 20 mile stop and go trip will/should INCREASE wear on an engine.

Why do you think that ?

It won't.

The time between starts is not enough for the oil to drain down/away from the moving parts to any significant degree.

[Automate]

Why do you think that ?

It won't.

The time between starts is not enough for the oil to drain down/away from the moving parts to any significant degree.

It takes more than just some oil on the parts it also takes oil pressure to keep the parts from rubbing against each other and causing extra wear.

 

Watch the oil pressure light on a conventional engine and it usually stays on for a second or so after key is turned to start even if it was recently running. This is because the the oil pump is engine driven and it does not produce pressure until the engine is turning. A significant amount of engine wear occurs during the starting process.

 

I've wondered what hybrids engines do to minimize this starting wear.

 

I did find this Ford patent for a electric oil pump which would start the pump and verify pressure before starting the engine but I don't think the FFH uses an electric pump.

http://www.google.com/patents/US20130124022

[GrySql]

I don't think the FFH uses an electric pump.

Lubrication System

The engine lubrication system is of the force-feed type in which oil is supplied under full pressure to the crankshaft, connecting rod bearings, timing chain tensioners, camshaft bearing caps and variable camshaft timing (VCT) solenoids. The flow of oil to the valve tappets and valve train is controlled by a restricting orifice located in the cylinder head gasket.

The lubrication system is designed to provide optimum oil flow to critical components of the engine through its entire operating range.

The heart of the system is a positive displacement internal gear oil pump.

Generically, this design is known as a gerotor pump, which operates as follows:

• The oil pump is chain driven off of the crankshaft.
• System pressure is limited by an integral, internally-vented relief valve which directs the bypassed oil back to the inlet side of the oil pump.
• Oil pump displacement has been selected to provide adequate volume to make sure of correct oil pressure both at hot idle and maximum speed.
• The relief valve calibration protects the system from excessive pressure during high-viscosity conditions.
• The relief valve is designed to provide adequate connecting rod bearing lubrication under high temperature and high-speed conditions.

--

Edit: There is also an oil pressure switch that is mounted on the oil filter housing.

It is monitored by the Instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the powertrain control module (PCM).

Edited March 21, 2015 by GrySql

[hybridbear]

Me? I keep tight control over what comes out of my wallet. Call it frugal or cheap, it is what it is. I'm just generally distrustful of those who seek a piece of my resources, especially when they claim to be giving me a deal...

Me too. That's why I get my tires rotated for free at Discount Tire. I'll do them every 5000 miles because it only takes about 15 minutes waiting for them at 15 minutes driving time for a 30 minute round-trip. I'll let the dealer or someone else change my oil in the Fusion since oil prices have gone up so much to buy oil and a filter at the auto parts store. It'll cost me $20 at the auto parts store and about an hour to change oil or I can spend $20 at a Jiffy Lube or similar location and spend about the same hour sitting in their waiting room. The only downside to letting someone else change oil is the risk that they'll screw it up.