Simplifying my oil changing routine

Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Messages
232
Location
SoCal
I'm getting old, and no longer able to crawl under my car to change oil. So I've decided to rethink my maintenance routine. My plan is to change oil based on season, rather than mileage/time.
I have a new(ish) Ford hybrid, and as far as I can find the 2.5 engine is not GDI. I live in a hot, arid part of CA where cold is 35°F, but hot is 115 at times. My truck is 14 months old, with 10k miles on it, and has had 2 oil changes, with Costco/Supertech 0W-20. I'm not comfortable using that oil in the extreme temperature months, so I plan to change oil twice annually, with one from Nov. through March, 5 months, using 0W20. Then 10W-30 the remaining 7 hot(ter) mos. I talked to the local Valvoline oil version of Quik-Lube, and they charge $45 labor if I provide oil and filter. Also check under for any obvious problems. My thought is to use Mobil-1 EP 5W-20 for the winter run then 10W-30 for the summer. HPL was on my mind but the price puts it a little out of the budget, esp. with shipping.
A couple questions: would ESP be more suitable, although to me it looks like the main advantage is lower SAPS. Mobil is always available at my local Walmart, so most any of the other brands for this particular scenario would probably be fine. Not trying to overthink this, I could probably go with a cheaper oil but a $10 difference twice a year is not a problem.
Anybody???
 
I am 71 and my days of bench pressing TH400 trans into Fire chickens are over. I use a MityVac for top side oil changes at 5K OCI.
I swap the filter every 2nd or even 3rd service.

As far as oil goes, 0w20 or 5w30 should be fine. Perhaps you have a friend or neighbor who can help with services? My neighbors know I am happy to lend a hand; it's only right.
 
I am 71 and my days of bench pressing TH400 trans into Fire chickens are over. I use a MityVac for top side oil changes at 5K OCI.
I swap the filter every 2nd or even 3rd service.

As far as oil goes, 0w20 or 5w30 should be fine. Perhaps you have a friend or neighbor who can help with services? My neighbors know I am happy to lend a hand; it's only right.
Add 10 years, and even the filter will be problematic. Also my driveway, and most of the neighborhood, is on a 10% slope making it even more difficult.
 
I'm getting old, and no longer able to crawl under my car to change oil. So I've decided to rethink my maintenance routine. My plan is to change oil based on season, rather than mileage/time.
I have a new(ish) Ford hybrid, and as far as I can find the 2.5 engine is not GDI. I live in a hot, arid part of CA where cold is 35°F, but hot is 115 at times. My truck is 14 months old, with 10k miles on it, and has had 2 oil changes, with Costco/Supertech 0W-20. I'm not comfortable using that oil in the extreme temperature months, so I plan to change oil twice annually, with one from Nov. through March, 5 months, using 0W20. Then 10W-30 the remaining 7 hot(ter) mos. I talked to the local Valvoline oil version of Quik-Lube, and they charge $45 labor if I provide oil and filter. Also check under for any obvious problems. My thought is to use Mobil-1 EP 5W-20 for the winter run then 10W-30 for the summer. HPL was on my mind but the price puts it a little out of the budget, esp. with shipping.
A couple questions: would ESP be more suitable, although to me it looks like the main advantage is lower SAPS. Mobil is always available at my local Walmart, so most any of the other brands for this particular scenario would probably be fine. Not trying to overthink this, I could probably go with a cheaper oil but a $10 difference twice a year is not a problem.
Anybody???
Nothing wrong with the Kirkland and super tech oil 0 or 5w20 is fine for year round
 
Well, thanks for the input, guys. I am going to do 2 changes, annually, so changing the weight really is not a problem. And like others have said, the oil does have a tendency to cool somewhat between engine on-off. My point really was to do it systematically rather than some arbitrary mileage. And if I am going to do that, well then I may as well use the weight that is best for that particular season. What's the expression: "Good enough is the enemy.......
 
I am 71 and my days of bench pressing TH400 trans into Fire chickens are over. I use a MityVac for top side oil changes at 5K OCI.
I swap the filter every 2nd or even 3rd service.

As far as oil goes, 0w20 or 5w30 should be fine. Perhaps you have a friend or neighbor who can help with services? My neighbors know I am happy to lend a hand; it's only right.
Wow I would have never guessed you are that old.

I was going to bring you up, as you had expressed your liking the Mityvac. I think it is a cool idea for the OP.
 
I'm getting old, and no longer able to crawl under my car to change oil. So I've decided to rethink my maintenance routine. My plan is to change oil based on season, rather than mileage/time.
I have a new(ish) Ford hybrid, and as far as I can find the 2.5 engine is not GDI. I live in a hot, arid part of CA where cold is 35°F, but hot is 115 at times. My truck is 14 months old, with 10k miles on it, and has had 2 oil changes, with Costco/Supertech 0W-20. I'm not comfortable using that oil in the extreme temperature months, so I plan to change oil twice annually, with one from Nov. through March, 5 months, using 0W20. Then 10W-30 the remaining 7 hot(ter) mos. I talked to the local Valvoline oil version of Quik-Lube, and they charge $45 labor if I provide oil and filter. Also check under for any obvious problems. My thought is to use Mobil-1 EP 5W-20 for the winter run then 10W-30 for the summer. HPL was on my mind but the price puts it a little out of the budget, esp. with shipping.
A couple questions: would ESP be more suitable, although to me it looks like the main advantage is lower SAPS. Mobil is always available at my local Walmart, so most any of the other brands for this particular scenario would probably be fine. Not trying to overthink this, I could probably go with a cheaper oil but a $10 difference twice a year is not a problem.
Anybody???

If you look in the trucks owners manual it may tell you no to even bother with 0w-20 in south California.

I Mytivac my oil changes and change the filter every second change. In my 70's and still agile but prefer not to change filter every time.
With all the filters I have cut open from gasoline engines ran for 5,000 miles and found nothing but a clean filter, yeah there's no point in changing it every time.
Oil filters ran in my wife's car a gd gdi engine for 3,500 miles had filter paper that still looked kind of white.
 
just go to Walmart and get some 5w-30 would be a choice, as much of your engine wear is at start up, look at flow rates as CCS,mrv,even pour point,,Pennzoil ultra platinum 5w-30 would would be a good choice in this regard with less shear & vii,,and the gtl is a good base oil to consider, use a Fram ultra filter or Wix xp etc . keeping the oil clean is a must and proper oci with any engine.
 
If it's a non gdi engine in the fusion why not once a year ? what's your annual mileage ?
truck is probably doable annually as well especially if you are using top tier oils ?
You mention HPL / ESP /and EP. all capable of 10k oil changes also the climate plays an advantage for you as well.
 
Add 10 years, and even the filter will be problematic. Also my driveway, and most of the neighborhood, is on a 10% slope making it even more difficult.
Perhaps now would be a good time to relocate the filter, while you are still able! :) Add a mity vac and you will never need to crawl under the car.
 
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