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Oil changes (3.5L EcoBoost) - first change and subsequent intervals?

3DogKnight

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I just recently received my 2021 F150 3.5 and am curious about when other owners of a new 3.5 change oil the first time and then the mileage interval between following changes. I've owned a lot of cars and trucks in the past and have always changed oil (full synthetic) at 3500 to 4000 miles. None of these vehicles had turbos and I rarely drive more than 6000 miles per year.
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12Lariat21

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I changed my 1st oil at 2500 on my 3.5L. I will now go to around 5000 to 8000 between oil changes. Depending on driving and weather. I'll push it to 8000 if means that I won't be in the garage changing oil when it's below 40.

Synthetic oils are rated by manufacturers to go 10,000 mils plus. Granted with turbo's you probably don't want to follow that. But if you just maintain what you have been doing, you shouldn't see any issues with the turbo's if you change it that frequently.

The better advice I would give, if you do not tow much, make sure you do drive aggressively a couple of times every oil change. That way you cycle the turbo's waste gate, and get the oil good an hot, to evaporate out any moisture/water/condensation. Hard acceleration on to the highway, or somewhere you can safely put your foot down and let the engine breath

I traded in my 2012 3.5L on my 2021, it had over 138,000 miles on it with zero engine issues. So if you take care of the 3.5L it will last just as long as any naturally asperated engine, regardless of what the internet may say.
 

jmacd

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I have a 3.5L. I went ahead and did my first oil change at 5,000. My dealer put in Motorcraft full synthetic. I tow a travel trailer here in the western states that scales out at 7,000lbs. Long trips with climbs in the Sierras and recently in the Rockies. I have put on another 5,000 miles since the first oil change with the trip into the Rockies In September. The Intelligent Oil Life Monitor currently says my oil has about 43% life remaining. Getting ready for another towing trip this week, about 2,000 miles. I expect to get a “change oil soon” later this fall after returning, maybe around 8,500 miles? I’ve been very impressed with Ford’s Intelligent Oil Life Monitor programming, so I’ll trust Ford engineering and wait until the indicator says it’s time for an oil change. I had a 2015 Ford F-250 diesel prior to this truck and always followed the IOLM and the oil change intervals varied depending on my use of the truck over the years. Oil and engine technology have improved so much over the years.
 

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I had a 2011 F 150 with a 3.5 EB that I put over 240,000 Km (150,000 Miles) and changed oil every 8000 Km ( 5000 Miles) with no motor problems and will do the same with this truck. I take it to my dealer as they have every second oil change is free. They use semi-synthetic.
 

Atlee

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I change mine at around 5k miles, before the truck says so. I do it because I consider my usage to be more extreme. About 40% of the 100k miles on my truck are towing miles.
 

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Bryan Simon

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I have a 5.0
mostly rural driving
I changed it at 2500mi, and again at 5000mi.
from here on out it will be at 5000mi intervals.

been doing this since the70s on new engines and it seems to work for me.
 

Bdubbs1198

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I had a 2014 EB and changed wvery 5,000 with pennzoil Plat or Mobil 1 and still ended up with the dreaded timing chain rattle. Besides that the engine was great at 80k.
 

Di2

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Lots of shortish trips (small city), with very cold winters. Hard on the engine. Every 5k.

Good advice to give the engine a good highway run occasionally. I'll do that. I had an RX8 that needed the same thing.
 

EatDirtFartDust

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I plan to change every 5k miles, with the Motorcraft synthetic blend. (What it comes from the factory with and I have used for 270k miles in my old town car.)
 

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I just recently received my 2021 F150 3.5 and am curious about when other owners of a new 3.5 change oil the first time and then the mileage interval between following changes. I've owned a lot of cars and trucks in the past and have always changed oil (full synthetic) at 3500 to 4000 miles. None of these vehicles had turbos and I rarely drive more than 6000 miles per year.
Did my first oil change at 2500 miles , put in full synthetic, dealer told me manufacture only recommends half synthetic blend. Also he said warranty still good with full synthetic, any way IMO you are changing that oil way too often, I wonder what your oil life percentage was when you changed it. I'm thinking I will change oil 7500, or maybe 10000 if I still have good oil life. My wife's car takes full synthetic (LEXUS RX350) and we change that at 10000, her oil still looks great at that mileage. I guess you think this is too long, thanks.
 

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Did my first at 2600, then at around 11,000 miles. Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic and KN oil filters each time.
 

Madman

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I have a 3.5L. I went ahead and did my first oil change at 5,000. My dealer put in Motorcraft full synthetic. I tow a travel trailer here in the western states that scales out at 7,000lbs. Long trips with climbs in the Sierras and recently in the Rockies. I have put on another 5,000 miles since the first oil change with the trip into the Rockies In September. The Intelligent Oil Life Monitor currently says my oil has about 43% life remaining. Getting ready for another towing trip this week, about 2,000 miles. I expect to get a “change oil soon” later this fall after returning, maybe around 8,500 miles? I’ve been very impressed with Ford’s Intelligent Oil Life Monitor programming, so I’ll trust Ford engineering and wait until the indicator says it’s time for an oil change. I had a 2015 Ford F-250 diesel prior to this truck and always followed the IOLM and the oil change intervals varied depending on my use of the truck over the years. Oil and engine technology have improved so much over the years.
@jmacd - I am with you. I changed my oily to full synthetic at 5,000 miles and will continue to do so at that interval despite the longer recommendations.
 

Nlitend1

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I did this with my 17 3.5Eb. Can't say for sure but I contribute my lack of oil changes at earlier intervals to the continual rattle problems. And not just the cam phasers.
I was going to keep the 17 for the long haul but it was in the shop for phasers again and crank sensors, and possibly a turbo on the way out. Thus I leased a 21.
 

aika1

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I did my first at 1250mi with Mobil1 oil and filter (M1-212a), and again at 5,000mi. and again at 10,000. I'll be doing it every 5k miles on mine, regardless of what the Oil life readout tells me. The only issue with changing your oil more is the damage to your pocketbook...
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