2014 Ford Flex ... Need oil suggestions.

[dnewton3]

I assume you have the 3.5L n/a v-6?

Macro-data shows these engines do quite well on most any reasonable lube. There's no need for anything special. These Cyclone engines are very robust and wear quite well with normal fluids. They are not particular on what oil is used. I've run both conventional and syns, and honestly the wear rates aren't affected for anything less than 12k mile OCIs (the limit of my testing at the time).
My UOAs ...
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-miles-supertech-5w-20-at-11-8k-miles.349116/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ford-3-5l-at-50k-mi-hpl-5w-30-at-10k-mi.367772/

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I assume you have the 3.5L n/a v-6?

Macro-data shows these engines do quite well on most any reasonable lube. There's no need for anything special. These Cyclone engines are very robust and wear quite well with normal fluids. They are not particular on what oil is used. I've run both conventional and syns, and honestly the wear rates aren't affected for anything less than 12k mile OCIs (the limit of my testing at the time).
My UOAs ...
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-miles-supertech-5w-20-at-11-8k-miles.349116/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ford-3-5l-at-50k-mi-hpl-5w-30-at-10k-mi.367772/

Yes N/A thank you for the data. It is a great engine and powerful for N/A not counting the pump issue.

 

[John Galt]

I have the same car, same engine, and year. Mine is FWD (Limited trim) by choice so no PTU!

I use Motorcraft 5w-20 semi-synthetic oil and Motorcraft filters. But mine has a few years left of the full factory Ford warranty so I let the dealer do the yearly oil change so it gets recorded. I don’t want a warranty claim issue. But 90% of my miles are highway use so a very different history than your Flex. I have never had to add oil or coolant between services, the oil level stays at the full mark on the dip stick for the whole year.

I had the full service done in June 2024 then drove to Marco Island Florida and back a few weeks later to the NY metro area and never had to add a drop of oil over about 3500 miles of hot summer driving. Averaged 23.2mpg. But I did go through a couple of gallons of windshield bug cleaner juice!

For $89 per service including full tire rotation, all fluid top off if needed, brake wear numbers on each corner and a report from the plug in ODB port it’s worth it. Takes about 45 minutes while I drink their coffee and read.

 

[TomYoung]

Alright 5,000 miles is my limit. Another question in that case. If I have really good Purolater or Fram filter is it ok to only swap it out every other oil change if the interval is 5,000?

Not advisable imho. Many disagree. I don’t like keeping that 6 ounces of old oil.

 

[TomYoung]

I have the same car, same engine, and year. Mine is FWD (Limited trim) by choice so no PTU!

I use Motorcraft 5w-20 semi-synthetic oil and Motorcraft filters. But mine has a few years left of the full factory Ford warranty so I let the dealer do the yearly oil change so it gets recorded. I don’t want a warranty claim issue. But 90% of my miles are highway use so a very different history than your Flex. I have never had to add oil or coolant between services, the oil level stays at the full mark on the dip stick for the whole year.

I had the full service done in June 2024 then drove to Marco Island Florida and back a few weeks later to the NY metro area and never had to add a drop of oil over about 3500 miles of hot summer driving. Averaged 23.2mpg. But I did go through a couple of gallons of windshield bug cleaner juice!

For $89 per service including full tire rotation, all fluid top off if needed, brake wear numbers on each corner and a report from the plug in ODB port it’s worth it. Takes about 45 minutes while I drink their coffee and read.

And how bad is their coffee?

 

[Patman]

Not advisable imho. Many disagree. I don’t like keeping that 6 ounces of old oil.

You do realize that way more of the old oil is held inside the engine at oil change time don’t you? So you won’t ever get 100% the old oil out and that extra 6oz won’t amount to a hill of beans.

I have a friend with BMW M4 who actually performs what he calls a “sacrificial oil change” on it. He changes his oil and drives it around for one day and then changes it again the next day. This last oil change he used Castrol Edge first and then Amsoil second. I don’t bother trying to tell him that even that probably results in 3 or 4% of the old oil to still be there.

 

[ripcord]

You do realize that way more of the old oil is held inside the engine at oil change time don’t you? So you won’t ever get 100% the old oil out and that extra 6oz won’t amount to a hill of beans.

I have a friend with BMW M4 who actually performs what he calls a “sacrificial oil change” on it. He changes his oil and drives it around for one day and then changes it again the next day. This last oil change he used Castrol Edge first and then Amsoil second. I don’t bother trying to tell him that even that probably results in 3 or 4% of the old oil to still be there.

Wow! And I thought a lot of US have OCD!

 

[TomYoung]

You do realize that way more of the old oil is held inside the engine at oil change time don’t you? So you won’t ever get 100% the old oil out and that extra 6oz won’t amount to a hill of beans.

I have a friend with BMW M4 who actually performs what he calls a “sacrificial oil change” on it. He changes his oil and drives it around for one day and then changes it again the next day. This last oil change he used Castrol Edge first and then Amsoil second. I don’t bother trying to tell him that even that probably results in 3 or 4% of the old oil to still be there.

I like your friend.

 

[DFWoilguy]

I LOVE reading this!!! Looking at purchasing a police 2013+ Explorer with the 3.7 cyclone Found a LARGE LEO agency that ONLY services their vehicles @ Ford dealers and their cars only receives Motorcraft parts

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Takes about 45 minutes while I drink their coffee and read.

You should be taking your vehicle somewhere where you can watch the work performed.

 

[John Galt]

You should be taking your vehicle somewhere where you can watch the work performed.

Trust issues?

Almost no US shops let you in the service area because of liability concerns. All I can reasonably do is take it to a place that is very, very familiar with the service being performed and I know they have the right filters and oil grade available. A Ford dealer fits this description. And if they mess up and cause a failure it is on them to fix it and not just offer me a refund - the car has a 100% coverage on every component, even the light bulbs and the key if you can believe that.

 

[DFWoilguy]

You should be taking your vehicle somewhere where you can watch the work performed.

Not many shops let you do that for legal/insurance reasons!! But I was SHOCKED that a Ford dealer service dept tech in DFW let me look at my 97 E250 after a recall was completed

I was so paranoid I was looking over my shoulder waiting for someone to yell at me for being in the shop