The Ford EcoBoost and 5k oil change intervals

[KCJeep]

At this point I own two 2023 Ford EcoBoost engines, a 2.0 in an Edge and a 2.3 in a Mustang. I've long seen (and followed) the very common group think that EcoBoost engines should adhere to 5k oil change intervals max. At this point, I am starting to wonder why. I know there are concerns about fuel dilution, but if I understand correctly dilution levels are reached quickly in an oil change interval and then tend to level off, so what difference does it really make with a good oil? I've also seen talk about the timing chains but I'm not sure if that is a concern in the two engines I own?

I've been doing 5k oil change intervals in the Mustang, but the OLM will run me close to 9k under my use. Is Ford really out of line here? I am mostly using 20k rated Quaker State Ultimate Protection or Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, so I have a hard time thinking they would be hard pressed at 9k (about 8 months for me). With recent increases in oil prices and some availability issues, I can't help but wonder is going by the OLM is the thing to do to prolong my modest stash as well as save me some time and money.

We have had a couple of high mileage Ecoboosts in the family (175k and 183k) that were lucky to get changed at the OLM. We had no oil related issues with them, but I have no idea what they looked like inside.

Mustang has 35k and has had 5k oil change intervals since new. We just picked up the Edge so no idea on it but it's only at 25k.

What say you BITOG?

 

[scrllock]

Run a UOA with quality dilution testing (not BS labs) and see what your car is doing. You can make guesses based on other cars but that doesn't predict the state of your injectors.

 

[Zee09]

It's all about the turbo needing fresh oil...that's it unless you are a short tripper like you are a tipper...

The turbo needs freshness...
Run the filter twice instead.

 

[Schmoe]

My two CRV's got beat up pretty bad on social media about fuel dilution....which it can....but they get driven about 80 miles a day, 4 days a week and I haven't had any oil related issues. The 2018 CRV has 135K miles on it.

 

[DCDG]

I don't feel comfortable riding a non turbo with GDI out to 10,000 I would not pass 6,000 miles with a turbo that's my personal preference. what system does Ford use is it just a mile + time algorithm? Ford may have it programmed to be on the conservative side to appease CAFE perhaps this is how they get by with sending their engines off the assembly line with synthetic blend.

 

[The Critic]

I change the TGDI engines in my personal fleet every 6 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

 

[bdcardinal]

Filters and oil are cheaper than an engine.

 

[Zee09]

I don't feel comfortable riding a non turbo with GDI out to 10,000 I would not pass 6,000 miles with a turbo that's my personal preference. what system does Ford use is it just a mile + time algorithm? Ford may have it programmed to be on the conservative side to appease CAFE perhaps this is how they get by with sending their engines off the assembly line with synthetic blend.

VW did the same 10k on their 2L turbo. Top mount filter, easy top extraction... why would you run it to 10k ????

 

[JavierH19]

Could it be done with uoas sure i've seen uoas up to 12k on ecoboosts still have a tbn near 2 even with cheap supertech but I wouldn't do it anyway.

I saw a uoa show good wear metals only for the engine to be blowing up in slow motion shedding lots and lots of visible glitter in the filter and pan so I don't trust them anymore.

Reducing particles under 20um that don't get filtered by changing frequently keeps them from accumulating to a point to where they become a fine liquid sandpaper that wears out sensitive parts like timing chain pins and the tight tolerances in vvt phasers to keep them from becoming sloppy. Of course using a good high efficiency air filter minimizes this but doesn't eliminate it. Only bypass filters would for the most part but it's not reasonable to install a bypass on every vehicle down to a corolla.

But not all engines are weak, some are robust and have parts made with great metallurgy so they don't wear much even with long intervals but not all engines and their components are made well. Some are underbuilt and use weaker metals like with the early gm 3.6 with weak chains that wore out unless you did 3k or less oil changes in which case those weak chains didn't wear and lasted to 300k. At the end of the day oil is still cheap and metal very much still isn't and although oil has become more expensive recently metal is still as expensive if not even more expensive now than before too.

 

[Zee09]

In the day the secret sauce for EB engines was the 5w-30 Castrol Magnatec brew and no not the full synthetic but the semi synthetic... was on here weekly in the day... Stellar juice
Look it up 4 yourself

 

[zzyzzx]

I do 5K oil changes on it. Not going to tempt fate with a turbo involved. This is the first turbo OR DI vehicle I have had to maintain.

 

[Boomer]

I have said it on here before. Both of my VWs get their oil changed every 5000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Both are turbo DGI engines. See my signature. Both were purchased new. One is 9-1/2 years old, the other is just about 7 years old.

 

[dnewton3]

A UOA is going to tell you what you want to know. It will help you understand the direct health of the oil and the implied health of the engine, relative to the OCI you choose. Start out at 5k miles, get a UOA. If all is well, extend to 7.5k miles. Then maybe 10k miles if the data looks good.

Point being ... why guess when you can KNOW?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

GDI just isn't compatible with extended drain intervals.
Port injection ... absolutely

 

[crashz]

I have a friend with a first gen 3.5L TT Ecoboost in an F150. The truck sees all the bad things: bulk dealer oil changed on the OLM, endless idling during the workday (heat or AC), short trips, occasional very long trips, cheap gas, dusty environment, etc. He replaced his turbos at 285K and a little over 300k. I think he's still driving that truck.

Like dnewton said, geta UOA , then you'll actually know what works for you.
I think you'll be fine.

 

[Patman]

I change the TGDI engines in my personal fleet every 6 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

UOA would probably confirm that you’re changing it too often.

 

[JTK]

As much as I believe a UOA will give you useful data, I'm not sure it's going to tell you your oil control rings are carboning up on a TGDI engine.

 

[The Critic]

UOA would probably confirm that you’re changing it too often.

Debateable. UOA's may give a limited glimpse into the oil condition but using it as the sole tool for determining OCI is a potentially misleading route.