Re: DIY oil changing for first time in 30 years- questions

On 2020-08-21, Bill Saunders <[email protected]> wrote:
> 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:

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.

> 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
>
>   https://tinyurl.com/y4sva4le

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 https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums for everything you never
wanted to know about motor oil.

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

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.  

> 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.

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):

<URL:https://www.walmart.com/ip/RhinoGear-Hand-E-Quick-Fill-Funnel/20889310>

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