DIY oil changing for first time in 30 years- questions

Aug 21, 2020 Last reply: 5 years ago 1 Replies

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With Covid and my mechanic, who's still open part time, in and out of many cars all day, I feel at my age that I can't take the risk using him currently, so for the first time in 30 years, I'm going to change the oil myself on my '03 Ford Taurus Vulcan 3.0L OHV 170K mile car. Although ordering all the supplies online has been pretty painless, I was overwhelmed with all of the oil options available. I have a few questions:

1) With 170K miles, should I use plain oil or "high mileage" oil? There also appears to be different types of "high mileage" oil, with either synthetic or conventional options. For now, I decided to choose this

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2) I plan to use front ramps to elevate the car for easier access. Any issues using ramps?

3) Again, overwhelmed with oil filter options so went with a Fram PH3600. Ok or not?

I already have a filter wrench, pan wrench and catch pan so ok to go there, but in addition to answering the above any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Bill,

I'm maintaining a 2002 F150 4.2L with about 130k. My comments are in that context...and I'm definitely not an expert.

I'm running Havoline's high mileage synthetic blend since 2014, which seems to be comprable to the oil you linked. I've been happy with it. You might check

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for everything you never wanted to know about motor oil.

I ran Fram filters with no trouble until 2018. Then I was able to source Motorcraft filters at the same, or slightly lower price, from the same retailer. I've been running Motorcraft filters since with, again, no troubles.

Do you have a location to recycle the used oil?

I find having a wide-mouth funnel is helpful when pouring the new oil, something like this FloTool (or the 10705 or 10714):

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I have another funnel for transfering the oil from the catch pan to the (now empty) oil jug for transfer to the recycling facility.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Tom

DIY oil changing for first time in 30 years- questions

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