[kingjr0]

Needing some help ladies and gents.
Should i do the oil change myself or take it to a "professional". Also what brands should i be considering and i guess finally should i go with recommended 5w-20 or should i be considering something else, thanks in advance!

 

[hornetmech242]

I have been using Mobile1 synthetic 5W-20 with a purolator pureone (spelling) filter from advanceauto. Have not had any issues so far.

 

[gManTexas]

Do it yourself. A full synthetic oil change will run you a ton of money at the shop, especially since the 5.0 takes 8 quarts of oil. Everything is really easy to get to on the Mustang.

Autozone, Advance and the others are always running specials on oil. Also, buy the best filter not the cheapest. It's a $5 difference in price.

I run Mobil 1 full synthetic in my vehicles. Use the recommended grade of 5W-20.

 

[JBert]

If you have a local shop that you trust, you can buy Mobil 1 at the local Wal-Mart for about $25/5 quarts and provide it to them. Unless they are gouging you, they should only charge about $20 if you provide the oil. Make sure they use a good filter, such as the Motorcraft one. You could provide that also. The main thing is you have to trust them to actually use what you provide.

I like to do mine myself, because then I really know what went in to my engine. But it does tend to make a mess, and you have to deal with the used oil.

 

[5LHO]

I've done thousands of oil changes...it's easy enough but the 8 quart capacity makes for a good possiblity of a mess as that exceeds many drainpan capacities and is a lot of used oil to collect and dispose of. I just pay a dealer a couple times a year to do this for me.

I've used nothing but Ford Motorcraft semi-synth 5W20 and the car has no ticks, whines, nothing from the engine and has been blasted downtrack over 100 times on slicks. It specs out perfectly on a compression test I ran a few months back, too.

 

[SquidBillyPaul]

Don't know if yours is still under warranty but I always have the Ford Dealership do ALL my maintenance. I know it's expensive but I don't want any complications down the road should a problem arise. This way everything is documented and the records are just a click away.
Not to mention it helps you get top dollar if you ever decide to sell. Everything is right there in black & white.

 

[oldVOR]

New here and new to Mustang's and just about to change the oil on a Track Pack car. It spec's 5w50 synthetic in the owners manual and oil fill cap. The dealer seems to be the only local place for the oil. I'm guessing the synthetic Motorcraft is just a more expensive re-branded oil from another manufacturer?

Any reason not to use what Ford put in it from day one?

Thanks!

 

[NoVa5.0]

New here and new to Mustang's and just about to change the oil on a Track Pack car. It spec's 5w50 synthetic in the owners manual and oil fill cap. The dealer seems to be the only local place for the oil. I'm guessing the synthetic Motorcraft is just a more expensive re-branded oil from another manufacturer?

Any reason not to use what Ford put in it from day one?

Thanks!

The dealer is faaaaar from the only place for 5w50. Virtually any parts store will carry it.

A reason not to use what Ford put in it? Yes, because there's much better oils and filters. Red Line, Royal Purple, etc. And do it yourself if you can. There's nothing like knowing it's done properly.

 

[5LHO]

5/50 is unneeded on a road car and because of the additive packages, it'll tend to shear down faster than a 5/20. The broader the spread between the numbers, the more additives needed to make the oil behave like the low temp pour number. More additives mean generally quicker shear down.

 

[matthewr87]

I have always changed my own oil. Motocraft filter and Mobil 1 5W20 (that I buy when it is on sale).

 

[bodon]

Do it yourself. No one will take the time to do it right like you will. I personally run thinner(5-20) in the colder temps. And in the hot summer time I've run 15-50. Filter I use Wix.

 

[oldVOR]

Do you use the stock Motorcraft filter or the up-spec Ford Racing filter?

I haven't been able to find the micron difference listed for filtration between the two.

I have always changed my own oil. Motocraft filter and Mobil 1 5W20 (that I buy when it is on sale).

 

[laughingdragon]

I can't speak for other areas, but I have priced out doing it myself and having it done. Even with a discount I have at the auto parts store, I won't save any money doing it myself. (last time I priced it out, actually a couple bucks more to do it myself). Plus they will top off windshield wiper fluid, anti freeze, etc. Not to mention, saves me a lot of time not having to actually do it. Most shops don't make money on an oil change, it's a way to get you in to find things that need done that they DO make money on. I have a shop I use when I am not doing the work on my cars myself, and I have a good working relationship with them and trust them. That kind of relationship can be hard to find though.

 

[PMDmustang13]

1) Put the oil in your car that is specified by the manufacturer to avoid warranty issues. Keep excellent documentation if you don't have the dealer do it.
2) I have had all my oil changes done by the dealer because I can't buy the oil and filter for much less than 89.99 that my dealer charges and I have the documentation to boot.
3) I have the track package car and have used the recommended 5w50 full synthetic motorcraft. I have have had 3 oil change analysis reports and I typically go 5000 miles maximum and went about 1000 before the first oil change. The reports indicate the oil sheared to the point they questioned the 50 weight viscosity. My next oil installed in my car will be the new Amsoil full synthetic 5w50.
4) Knock on wood my engine does not tick yet that I can tell.

 

[gManTexas]

I can't speak for other areas, but I have priced out doing it myself and having it done. Even with a discount I have at the auto parts store, I won't save any money doing it myself. (last time I priced it out, actually a couple bucks more to do it myself). Plus they will top off windshield wiper fluid, anti freeze, etc. Not to mention, saves me a lot of time not having to actually do it. Most shops don't make money on an oil change, it's a way to get you in to find things that need done that they DO make money on. I have a shop I use when I am not doing the work on my cars myself, and I have a good working relationship with them and trust them. That kind of relationship can be hard to find though.

You must have a non-profit shop you go to. Let's say you get the oil on special for $6 a quart and they throw in the filter, or give you $5 toward any filter. Oil plus filter is $60 on the high side. Where are you getting a full synthetic oil change for $60?

All of the major auto parts stores take oil to recycle.

Let me tell a little story:

When I was a lot younger and lived in a colder climate, I took the car to Jiffy Lube. Normally, I would do it myself, but it was like cold enough to freeze your spit in mid-air. Got the car home and parked it. Puddle of oil later when I go out.

I jack it up and see that oil is seeping from the filter. Took the filter off (cheap one at that) and there was dirt and sand on the gasket. Seems that they lubed the gasket, then set it down on the floor on the gasket side. Needless to say, I've done all my oil changes since, unless it is a dealership.

 

[matthewr87]

Do you use the stock Motorcraft filter or the up-spec Ford Racing filter?

I haven't been able to find the micron difference listed for filtration between the two.

I use the stock FL-500S filter. Don't really see a need for a different one since I do not race or beat on my car.

 

[2014_GT]

I always do my own oil changes. It's cheaper and takes less time than dealing with a shop or dealership. I use Royal Purple 5w30 with a Royal Purple filter. I change it every 5k miles.

 

[midlife-stanger]

I do my own as well. I go to wally world and buy the cheapest synthetic they have.
(Last time was castrol on sale) Then I go and buy a wix filter.
The only time I pay for an oil change is when I need to rotate my tires.

 

[2014_GT]

Staggered wheels eliminates the need to rotate.

 

[NoVA_Mike]

I use Mobile 1 5w20 and a Napa Gold (Wix) filter. I purchased 10 filters when I got my car a few years ago and I pick up oil whenever it's on sale.

I'm a lazy bum who takes my car to Jiffy Lube or my local shop in the middle of the week. For $20-$30 they change my oil and I don't have to worry about proper disposal.