E-450 7.3L 1st oil change

[Redhawk 26M]

Oil change on an E-450 7.3L - Manual says every 10K. On my new cars I've always done the first oil change at 5K minimum, sometimes less. Should I wait until 10K, do it at 5K, or other?

 

[JFlightRisk]

I'm old school, from way back when an oil change was every 2000 miles, however oil chemistry has improved substantially since then, so I'm told.

That being said, we now have two F150s with turbos. The manual says every 5000 miles, but I have them changed at 3000 miles due to shorter drives, towing to campgrounds, the turbos being tougher on oil, and the timing chains are the weak link in our engines. Even if they had full synthetic, I still wouldn't go above 3000, but that's just me.

The combustion process adds corrosive elements to the oil as you drive, and it's only my opinion that I don't want to leave that in my engines, especially if they sit for longer durations. To me, it's cheap insurance, and with the cost of new engines these days, I don't want to find out the hard way.

 

[Redhawk 26M]

Many thanks... I'll be doing the 1st oil/filter change at or before 3K and then every 5K thereafter. I 100% agree that it is cheap insurance, especially when it's so easily done.

 

[mini4mw]

I replace mine at the beginning of every season. Even if I only do 3-5k miles for the year. Proper? No idea, but makes me feel better and that's worth the $100 or so.

For reference on my mindset, on all my newer cars that call for 5k+ miles, I just can't bring myself to go over 5k miles. For something that is so cheap and prevents catastrophe and maybe improves lifespan, just seems easy to do. Of course, you need to do the other stuff too like the trans, diff, zerk fittings, etc.

 

[Redhawk 26M]

I replace mine at the beginning of every season. Even if I only do 3-5k miles for the year. Proper? No idea, but makes me feel better and that's worth the $100 or so.

For reference on my mindset, on all my newer cars that call for 5k+ miles, I just can't bring myself to go over 5k miles. For something that is so cheap and prevents catastrophe and maybe improves lifespan, just seems easy to do. Of course, you need to do the other stuff too like the trans, diff, zerk fittings, etc.

New to RV's. I like your logic with oil changes (RV + auto). Just turned 1K miles on this new 2024 Jayco. With trips planned I'm expecting to be near 5K miles before or at end of summer. I'll do the 1st oil change at that time. We drive Toyo Camry's, they call for oil / filter every 10K but I do them every 5K along w/ tire rotations. Thought maybe that this E-450 beast might need better. Thanks...

 

[ihunt]

Just did my 1st oil change at my local dealer, yes I know I can do it myself for cheaper, but reason why, they checked all software updates, adjusted some things all under warranty, also they I told them the chrome was lifting on the front grill, in which they verified and ordered a replacement. The replacement was done a couple days later.

 

[Redhawk 26M]

When the time comes for an oil change I'm fortunate in that my RV parking spot is slightly sloped. When leveled in this spot, the front end is off the ground a few inches. Plenty of room to get under there for an oil change.

 

[mini4mw]

Just did my 1st oil change at my local dealer, yes I know I can do it myself for cheaper, but reason why, they checked all software updates, adjusted some things all under warranty, also they I told them the chrome was lifting on the front grill, in which they verified and ordered a replacement. The replacement was done a couple days later.

What dealer( Ford, RV)? Must be nice to have a good one around.

 

[Redhawk 26M]

Just did my 1st oil change at my local dealer, yes I know I can do it myself for cheaper

I priced it out, using Motorcraft parts I can do an oil 'n filter change for $60.

 

[201822j]

I'm a 5000 mile changer. I always change before putting away for winter. I don't want dirty contaminated oil sitting in the motor all winter. The other advantage is that next season it's ready to go.

 

[craigav]

Just a thought to share. Most (if not all) new engines are filled with a slightly different oil than what they recommend for subsequent oil changes. This oil is commonly called "Break-in" oil and is designed to help with the engine's break in process which for the most part (but not only) is required to seat the piston rings in the cylinders. If you change out the break-in oil prior to the engine being broke in, then the piston rings and other components may never seat as they should.

Point being, I don't have a 7.3 and therefore I have never researched what oil is provided originally however, I wouldn't suggest to do the first oil change earlier than what the manufacture recommends or sooner than ~3000 miles (imo) as if you change the break-in oil too soon and particularly if you change it to a synthetic oil, then the break in process may never fully seat the piston rings. (again, my point is with most new engines, perhaps the 7.3 is an exception to this understanding although I wouldn't think so). ~CA

 

[Redhawk 26M]

I'm a 5000 mile changer. I always change before putting away for winter. I don't want dirty contaminated oil sitting in the motor all winter. The other advantage is that next season it's ready to go.

I'm a 5K'er also, have been for years w/ our Toyotas. I'll keep the same mindset w/ the RV as it's $60 well spent. With planned trips this summer I'll be right at or very near 5K by the end of season and will do it then before it gets put to bed for the winter.

 

[Redhawk 26M]

I wouldn't suggest to do the first oil change earlier than what the manufacture recommends or sooner than ~3000 miles (imo) as if you change the break-in oil too soon and particularly if you change it to a synthetic oil, then the break in process may never fully seat the piston rings. (again, my point is with most new engines, perhaps the 7.3 is an exception to this understanding although I wouldn't think so). ~CA

I've been buying new cars (Fords and Toyotas) for over 35 years, never heard of "break in oil". I had business today at my local Ford dealership and they've never heard of such a thing with Ford vehicles. My Toyota techs said "what?". Never heard of "break in oil" for any US mfg'd vehicle in my lifetime.

 

[Redhawk 26M]

I'm a 5000 mile changer. I always change before putting away for winter. I don't want dirty contaminated oil sitting in the motor all winter. The other advantage is that next season it's ready to go.

I'm just over 1K miles right now on a brand new '24. For $60, I'm gonna do the oil and filter before we tow for the 1st time this week.

 

[craigav]

I've been buying new cars (Fords and Toyotas) for over 35 years, never heard of "break in oil". I had business today at my local Ford dealership and they've never heard of such a thing with Ford vehicles. My Toyota techs said "what?". Never heard of "break in oil" for any US mfg'd vehicle in my lifetime.

Having never heard of break-in oil doesn't mean it doesn't or has never existed. You can find it on the shelf in most auto parts stores. I suspect though that it is not the same blend of oil that is used in new modern engines today vs rebuilt engines where it likely would be more common to use

In any case, it is still used in some engines and often you will find that a manufacture specifically states full synthetic oil is recommended but it is also common to find that changing to full synthetic is not recommended until after the break in period which implies that what the manufacture recommends for subsequent oil changes is not necessarily what they originally fill the crankcase with. ~CA

 

[Ozzie D Odyssey]

I just changed mine at 1,500 miles. Replaced with Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5w-30. I don’t want to wait until 5 or 10 thousand miles and let the fine metal bits from manufacture and from breaking in circulate for that whole time. Even with only 1,500 miles the oil I dumped was almost black. I only run full synthetic in all my vehicles. You can say changing this early or using full synthetic is a waste of money. I don’t care. You take care of your vehicle the way you want and I’ll take care of mine the way I want. I usually keep all my vehicles for a minimum of ten years and this process has always served me well. And I also plan on changing out the rear diff lube for full synthetic when I get a few thousand more miles on it to let those gears wear in.

 

[Schiel1]

Everything I own I do the first 2000 then every 5000.

 

[pauldeere]

Just did the oil and filter change in the Grey Hawk. Mobil 1 5W30 and a NAPA Gold oil filter about $61.00. Also I greased the 4 grease fittings on the center steering link. Main thing is I know it was done right....

 

[Redhawk 26M]

I thought I'd do the first oil 'n filter before our trip this week (currently 1.1K miles on the new '24). Gonna put on ~350 this week, I'll wait until we return and do the 1st change at that time (with Motorcraft parts).

 

[COCJ]

I agree with Captain Skip. Did my first oil change at 1,500 miles because I didn't want the break-in metal floaters sticking around. Now it's every 5,000 miles with Valvoline full synthetic.