Originally Posted By: mrjlube
Thanks for the replies everyone. The oil looked normal pouring from the bottle. Its just weird a motor woth only 3,000 miles,so dirty right after a change. The temps have been below zero all week,dont know if that would have something to do with it. Question is would you change again before a cross country trip or leave it. Car has 3,000 miles and only a few hundred miles on the Valvoline synthetic,but very black?!
Our 2017 2.3 EB Explorer also turns the oil dark, almost black relatively quickly, even at a 3,200 mile OCI. I did an UOA on a 7,000 mile OCI and while it was "black" the wear metals were real good and there was usable life left in the oil according to the TBN. Engine oil color isn't the sole determinate of the used oil quality and life left. And with the transmission you have the color of the ATF can turn from pink to charcoal quickly and still be completely serviceable. It's the nature of Motorcraft Mercon LV from what I've seen. Though I feel that more frequent ATF changes than what Ford recommends is a good idea. Their 150,000 mile ATF first change seems to be really stretching it if you want transmission longevity greater than the warranty.
Whimsey