First oil change 2011 F150

[Sinker]

I've had the truck for about 2 weeks now and have been doing lots of traveling and have about 3,100 miles so I figure its about time for the first oil change. I've driven a diesel the last 5 years so I feel kinda new to the gas world again.

Vehicle is a 2011 F150 with the 5.0 owner's manual says 10k mile intervals and use SAE 5w-20 oil
Usually drive 70% highway and 30% city stay around the speed limit on the highways around here 65-75. Pull a 18ft duck hunting boat or 20ft bass boat at least once a week. Wouldn't say I drive it real hard, but I'm not easy on it for sure.

I was thinking of using Valvoline synthetic or the Motorcraft oil. What oil brands would you guys recommend? Is it alright for me to use synthetic oil or should I wait till I have more miles on the motor?

 

[Scienceman]

Any of the brands you mentioned would be fine.
Sounds like a great truck! How do you like it?

 

[HBCALI]

I've used Valvoline SynPower with good results. However, most guys on this forum seem partial to Shell products - Pennzoil & Quaker State to name two.

With a new engine under warranty, I'd simply recommend sticking with a high quality name brand oil. If it's a Leased vehicle (that you'll trade-in at 36-60 months anyway), just use good conventional and stick to the OCI set by Ford. No need to waste money on a bank-owned vehicle

.

However, If you purchased the truck and plan to keep it in the family once paid-off, It wouldn't hurt to go with a higher quality oil. The choice is yours.

 

[Sinker]

The truck runs great has plenty of power and is a lot of fun to drive! Do you guys think it ok to switch to synthetic the first oil change?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I usually prefer Low quality, No name oil - but in your case I'd def run a GF-5 oil (most likely required) no syn necessary since the ILSAC GF-5 spec oil is prob as good as any American "full synthetic" without the higher price. Chevron Havoline 5w30 is a great 5w-20 oil if you manual allows a 30wt. Is this a 8qt sump?

 

[goodtimes]

I would use the Motorcraft 5w-20 from WallMert, along with the MC filter, if one doesn't mind buying there. It seems a good price as well, in the jugs. Nice to have a new vehicle like that. No questions later if the OE parts are used.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Sinker
The truck runs great has plenty of power and is a lot of fun to drive! Do you guys think it ok to switch to synthetic the first oil change?
I'd be curious as to what you think your getting above and beyond a ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 conventional oil with a "synthetic" oil?

 

[dparm]

I'd say the Motorcraft oil would be sufficient. It's cheap, available everywhere, and meets Ford's specs.

 

[Sinker]

I had aways heard that synthetic protects better, but I don't really know why. Just wanting to switch to syn because I thought it would be better for my truck, but if conventional is the same I wouldn't mind saving the money.

 

[OVERKILL]

Does it call for 5w20?

Personally if it was mine, it would get Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy in the 0w20 flavour and I'd pick up a case of the Motorcraft filters for it from the dealer.

 

[kcfx4]

i like Castrol EDGE in my fords, Castrol EDGE 5w20 gets my vote

 

[Sinker]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Does it call for 5w20?


Yes in the manual it recommends 5w-20.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Sinker
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Does it call for 5w20?


Yes in the manual it recommends 5w-20.


Then, as I said, if it were mine, I'd go with Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w20 for it and a Motorcraft filter.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Sinker
I had aways heard that synthetic protects better, but I don't really know why. Just wanting to switch to syn because I thought it would be better for my truck, but if conventional is the same I wouldn't mind saving the money.
Protects what? Please note that "synthetic" you can casually buy in North America is not synthetic - but are instead high detergent long(er) service life lubricants. Only some Amsoil products and Redline are high % synthetic base stock oils with the concomant High temp performace or low temp pumpability. Dont buy oil by type but rather the performance of a specific oil and its approval certification. I would never generalize that American "synthetic" offers anything other than maybe a 50% extended service interval but with likely INCREASED wear rate.

 

[hate2work]

If you're planning on 10k OCIs then you'll want to run a Full Synthetic product. A combination for your truck that has worked for many years is the use of MC oil, MC filter and a 5k OCI. But if you're always going to be putting that kind of mileage on your rig in that time frame, I'd use the Full Synthetic oil and 10k OCIs.

You can switch to syn oil at anytime.

 

[Hallmark]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
I'd pick up a case of the Motorcraft filters for it from the dealer.


+1 on Motorcraft filters...they are superb. My Fusion uses the impossible-to-find FL500S, so I order online at less than $6.00 each(including shipping), but Walmart sells the FL820S for my F150 at $3.27. Great price, great filter.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
with likely INCREASED wear rate.


So if I run Pennzoil Platinum Plus / Pennzoil Ultra / Castrol Edge to 7500 miles instead of the factory recommended 5000 miles, my engine will suffer increased wear?

 

[Sinker]

Originally Posted By: Hallmark
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
I'd pick up a case of the Motorcraft filters for it from the dealer.


+1 on Motorcraft filters...they are superb. My Fusion uses the impossible-to-find FL500S, so I order online at less than $6.00 each(including shipping), but Walmart sells the FL820S for my F150 at $3.27. Great price, great filter.


Where did you find the FL500s online for that price? Everything I saw was around 8 or 9 dollars and my local dealership said I can get them from them for $9.50.

 

[kcfx4]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Please note that "synthetic" you can casually buy in North America is not synthetic - but are instead high detergent long(er) service life lubricants. Only some Amsoil products and Redline are high % synthetic base stock oils with the concomant High temp performace or low temp pumpability.

can you clarify on this?

 

[Hallmark]

Originally Posted By: Sinker[/quote


Where did you find the FL500s online for that price? Everything I saw was around 8 or 9 dollars and my local dealership said I can get them from them for $9.50.


Yes, my local dealers also want $9-12 for a filter.

I just received 6 FL500S filters from RockAuto.com for $35.72 including shipping and using a 5% coupon code. They arrived 3 days after ordering.

Google 'RockAuto coupon code' for latest offers and comments on which codes are most successful, i.e. apparently some codes mentioned in old links are outdated.

BTW, the Motorcraft 5W20 semi syn oil by ConocoPhillips is an outstanding oil...inexpensive at Walmart in jugs.