How Often Should You Get a Ford Oil Change?

Putting off your Ford oil change does more than just reduce your fuel efficiency. Motor oil lubricates the moving parts of the motor. When they’re not lubricated adequately, they rub together and break down prematurely. This leads to necessary motor repairs that could have been avoided for months or years. Here’s what you need to know about how often you should have your oil changed to protect the integrity of your motor.

How Often Should You Get a Ford Oil Change?

You should bring your Ford in for an oil change every 5,000 miles to protect the integrity of its motor. If you changed your oil yourself and can’t remember how many miles were on the odometer at that time, we strongly recommend bringing it in for an inspection performed by a certified Ford technician. One of our automotive experts can advise you on whether you need an oil change.

Is This Always True?

There are exceptions to every rule. If your Ford is over a decade old, you should bring it in for an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles. Truth be told, you should bring your vehicle in every three months or 3,000 miles for an oil change if your vehicle is not yet a decade old, but you regularly put it through harsh driving conditions such as:

• Long-distance trailer towing
• Stop-and-go traffic in extremely high temperatures
• Driving on tracks
• Driving slowly for many miles at a time
• Driving no more than 10 miles in freezing temperatures
• Driving no more than five miles in normal temperatures
• Driving on sandy, muddy, gravel, dusty, or salty roads

There’s another notable exception to the rule that oil changes are necessary every 5,000 miles. You can bring your Ford in for an oil change every 12,500 miles if you opt for synthetic motor oil. Note: you should bring your Ford in for an oil change every 10,000 miles if you opt for synthetic motor oil and your vehicle is over a decade old or you put your motor through harsh conditions regularly.

What Are the Benefits of Synthetic Motor Oil?

There are many benefits associated with synthetic motor oil; below is a brief overview.

Extra Protection for Your Motor

Petroleum-based motor oil needs to be changed more regularly than synthetic motor oil because it breaks down much more quickly. It is advisable to use synthetic motor oil when you put enormous strain on your motor regularly so it will operate correctly for as long as possible.

Better Viscosity

The viscosity of synthetic motor oil remains constant despite extreme temperature changes. Petroleum-based motor oil thins significantly at high temperatures. Consider opting for synthetic motor oil in the summer when the temperature in Corsicana averages 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’ve driven your Ford over 5,000 miles since your last oil change, it probably needs to be brought in. Schedule an appointment with the friendly service department at Brinson Ford of Corsicana today.

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