Well, that time has come. My NEW 08 SE had its first oil change. I don't do dealerships, did it myself. Nice and simple, easy access to all components. Switched to synthetic, using Castrol 5W-20. Was going to use Ford synthetic but it was almost 2 dollars more/litre then the Castrol. Ford owners manual says 8000km oil changes but did mine at 6500. Want to do 7500km changes now. Have a long trip coming up and wanted to get it done now. No leaks, no problems yet, averaging 500+km per 3/4 of a tank, and that is almost all city driving. Great car to this point.

Very cool! I need to learn to do my own oil changes, I've watched my dad but I forgot most of the details. $50 US for synthetic is just retarded.

^^^ Hey Jemel, I wouldn't lie dude, I would rather have someone else to do it then to do it myself. Plus my aim for Mobile 1 Synthetic @ 10,000miles+, $5 dollars a quart at walmart plus another $18.00 so it would be around $48 or so...... Your very close too!

Well, that time has come. My NEW 08 SE had its first oil change. I don't do dealerships, did it myself. Nice and simple, easy access to all components. Switched to synthetic, using Castrol 5W-20. Was going to use Ford synthetic but it was almost 2 dollars more/litre then the Castrol.


I don't understand why you said you switched to synthetic, the 08s come with full synthetic already in them.

you can go to walmart get 5 quarts of mobil 1 for $28 bucks!! thats what i do!

does it affect your warranty to do the oil change yourself? i'd like to go back to changing my own oil because the stealership is across town and i hate being forced to either leave it and pay for a cab (the dealer covers one trip) or having to sit in their stupid lounge for hours on end like i did last time.

an oil change shouldnt take but like 25 minutes.. very simple to do, maybe have slight problems with oil filter from time to time but thats about how long i take to do mine

I don't understand why you said you switched to synthetic, the 08s come with full synthetic already in them.


Where did you hear this from?

There's very few cars that come with full synthetic in them and those that do are normally high end sports cars only.

Just keep records (and receipts if you want to cover ALL the bases) to show the changes were done - that way you're covered...
A GOOD dealership (not stealership) goes the extra mile to take care of problems for customers who have them do all their work, but FINDING a dealership like that....

I don't understand why you said you switched to synthetic, the 08s come with full synthetic already in them.

No they don't. They come with motorcraft synthetic blend, as does nearly every other ford/lincoln/mercury vehicle. It is a blend, not a full synthetic motor oil.

does it affect your warranty to do the oil change yourself? i'd like to go back to changing my own oil because the stealership is across town and i hate being forced to either leave it and pay for a cab (the dealer covers one trip) or having to sit in their stupid lounge for hours on end like i did last time.

I wouldn't see how changing your own oil would affect your warranty, it's you car and not the dealers. The dealer is only there to have a hand for those who don't know any better, and if it falls under that then it is illegal to perform such act for changing your oil and void your warranty; there is just no possible way that will happen.

^^^ Hey Jemel, I wouldn't lie dude, I would rather have someone else to do it then to do it myself. Plus my aim for Mobile 1 Synthetic @ 10,000miles+, $5 dollars a quart at walmart plus another $18.00 so it would be around $48 or so...... Your very close too!

Haha, I've been getting mine done at Walmart too!

I wouldn't see how changing your own oil would affect your warranty, it's you car and not the dealers. The dealer is only there to have a hand for those who don't know any better, and if it falls under that then it is illegal to perform such act for changing your oil and void your warranty; there is just no possible way that will happen.

This is true, the only way i can see a dealer refusing warranty for you doing your own oil changes would be if you left the filter loose and it locked up or something, other than that just have some kind of records, I save my receipts for the oil\filter just incase. But i also work at the dealer and they get angry when i go to walmart rather than use their expensive motorcraft oil.

you can go to walmart get 5 quarts of mobil 1 for $28 bucks!! thats what i do!

Geez did it go up again? It used to be 19, last time I bought it like 2 months ago it was 22

ive been using ford synthetic blend for quite sometime may at least 3 oil changes ...but was wondering if i switched to mobil 1 would it cause problems in my car.... just dont want it to start leaking any oil ...

This is true, the only way i can see a dealer refusing warranty for you doing your own oil changes would be if you left the filter loose and it locked up or something, other than that just have some kind of records, I save my receipts for the oil\filter just incase. But i also work at the dealer and they get angry when i go to walmart rather than use their expensive motorcraft oil.


well yes, they can have a history of proper maintenance. If for any reason something happens and you do the maintenance yourself, you may be liable for the damages since you aren't a ford mechanic. perhaps you jiggled something here or knocked something there that causes your car to light up in flames.

Where did you hear this from?

There's very few cars that come with full synthetic in them and those that do are normally high end sports cars only.


That is what I was informed from Ford what is in mine, they even recommend that you use full synthetic for your oil changes (owner's manual), this usually means that is what is in the motor from the factory.

No they don't. They come with motorcraft synthetic blend, as does nearly every other ford/lincoln/mercury vehicle. It is a blend, not a full synthetic motor oil.


I may be wrong, but usually when the owner's manual recommends full synthetic for oil changes, that is what is already in the motor. This being my fourth new Ford purchase since '93, none has ever recommended a full synthetic for oil changes.

The dealer can only get you if you use an oil not meeting the current standards for that motor. This is an API rating. Some stores still sell oil that has an API rating for stuff made for engines of the 1950's. I chose Castrol because it is cheaper then Mobil and the Ford synthetic. Ford, as all vehicle manufactureres, do not make there own oil. Someone else dose, all it has to do is meet there standards. The big thing is make sure the filter is on tight, do not leave the o-ring from the last filter on, and do not overfill.

whitefox.........you're not getting it. Read the Maintenance Products and Capacities chart near the back of your Owner's Manual. Your car was initially filled with synthetic blend NOT a full synthetic, AND in fact you do not have to use either the synthetic blend or a synthetic.......it can be any 5W-20 oil that conforms to Ford Spec. WSS-M2C930A and the API cert. mark. There is a subnote under the chart that tells you that. Motorcraft Super Premium and Castrol GTX 5W-20 dino oil meets that spec. for example.

whitefox.........you're not getting it. Read the Maintenance Products and Capacities chart near the back of your Owner's Manual. Your car was initially filled with synthetic blend NOT a full synthetic, AND in fact you do not have to use either the synthetic blend or a synthetic.......it can be any 5W-20 oil that conforms to Ford Spec. WSS-M2C930A and the API cert. mark. There is a subnote under the chart that tells you that. Motorcraft Super Premium and Castrol GTX 5W-20 dino oil meets that spec. for example.


I guess I don't know anything then and don't intend to get into any pissing contest. I will have to read my owner's manual for the third time and concentrate on the oil requirements for my car.

i guess i don't know anything then and don't intend to get into any pissing contest. I will have to read my owner's manual for the third time and concentrate on the oil requirements for my car.

git r done!

Just to let everyone know mobil 1 is not a true synthetic. No oil you get at wal-mart is a true synthetic oil. Its a group 4 compound oil. Only group 5 oils are true synthetic oils. Royal Purple and amsoil are 2 examples. All others are blends with some sort of dyno oil.

but... my dealer offers me free oil change.. I just pay for the filter $9
and I wait about an hour in their stupid lounge or screw around in their showroom

does it affect your warranty to do the oil change yourself? i'd like to go back to changing my own oil because the stealership is across town and i hate being forced to either leave it and pay for a cab (the dealer covers one trip) or having to sit in their stupid lounge for hours on end like i did last time.

Save your receipts and record mileage to prove it has been done and you will be good. At least thats what the service writers at my dealership told me.