Choosing the right oil for your Ford F-150 is an important part of effective truck maintenance. Using the right oil enables your truck to work as intended, resulting in improved performance and longer-lasting parts. When performing a full oil change in your Ford F-150, it’s important to use oil with the correct viscosity and to use the right kind of oil filter.
Before putting any oil into your Ford F-150, you should check the owner’s manual or the oil cap for the recommended viscosity. Although Ford recommends that you use 5W-30 oil in older models, if you own a recent edition, it’s advisable to use 5W-20 oil. Using the manufacturer-recommended oil with the right viscosity provides you with optimal engine performance, and also ensures that you remain in alignment with any warranty agreement. If you are also changing out your oil filter, make sure you choose a manufacturer-approved oil filter for the same reasons.
How Does Oil Help Your Ford F-150?
Engine oil is a crucial component of a well-functioning Ford F-150. Purchasing the right oil for your F-150 and staying on top of your oil system maintenance provides a variety of important benefits to your truck, to make it work better and last longer.
- Reduction in wear and tear: Engine oil lubricates the engine’s moving parts. This reduces friction and minimizes the wear and tear that regular engine use causes. This helps you to avoid damage to your engine so that it lasts longer, saving you significantly on potentially expensive engine repairs or replacement.
- Engine cleaning: The oil in your engine also helps to keep it clean. As the oil passes through the engine, it gathers dirt and debris that have gotten into the system. This prevents it from gathering and building up within the engine which can cause serious damage and underperformance.
- Optimal engine temperature: Reduced friction in the engine also results in less heat generated by that friction. By keeping your Ford F-150 properly oiled, you maintain heat levels within your engine and help to avoid potentially dangerous operation at high temperatures, which can lead to significant engine damage or failure.
- Safer operation: Your Ford F-150 is designed to work with fresh oil, which gets changed when necessary. Keeping your Ford F-150 at the recommended oil levels and changing when you hit mileage markers ensures that it operates as intended, keeping you and your passengers safe.
What Happens if You Use the Wrong Oil?
Choosing oil with the wrong viscosity rating can lead to a variety of potential concerns, including:
- Increased friction: If you use the wrong oil in your Ford F-150, or let your oil levels get low, it could lead to increased friction in your engine. This increases wear and tear on the engine’s parts and cancels out any benefits the oil should ordinarily provide to your truck.
- Reduced engine lifespan: Using the wrong oil in your Ford F-150 deprives your truck’s engine of the required level of protection, as specified by the manufacturer. As a result, everyday use could lead to significant engine damage, shortening the overall lifespan of your truck. Engine damage can be costly to repair, and in most cases, you may need to replace the entire engine.
- Burning smell: A burning smell is one of the first indicators that you’re using the wrong engine oil in your truck. Incorrect oil can cause the oil in your F-150’s engine system to burn or smoke. If you notice any unusual sights or smells coming from your engine, you need to change your oil.
- Inability to start: Lubrication is an important element when starting up your Ford F-150. If you use oil that does not provide sufficient lubrication to your engine, you may experience difficulties when attempting to start your truck. This can range from a stuttering engine that requires multiple attempts to an engine that will not start at all.
- Decreased engine performance: The problems for your engine don’t stop once you get it started, however, as effective lubrication is also important for performance on the road. Incorrect oil can lead to improper engine function, which results in minor to significant reduction in the truck’s performance levels. From slower pickup to decreased towing strength, this can have a major impact on the way your Ford F-150 drives.
How Often Should You Change the Oil in Your Ford F-150?
Although topping off your oil when it’s low can help you protect your engine in between oil changes, that doesn’t eliminate the need for an oil change when you reach set mileage milestones. The longer your oil is in your Ford F-150 without a change, the more dirt and grit it accumulates. This reduces the effectiveness of your truck’s oil.
Getting an oil change in Spokane includes a full draining of the current oil, and replacement with fresh, clean oil. This allows your truck to receive optimal protection and performance. Automotive experts suggest that you change the oil in your Ford F-150 every 5,000 miles. However, if you use your truck for heavy-duty work, you may benefit from more frequent oil changes.
Wendle Ford Can Help Care for Your Ford F-150 Oil Change Needs in Spokane, WA
If you own a Ford F-150 and need to change your engine oil, the service professionals at Wendle Ford are here for you. When you schedule an oil change, our technicians will ensure your Ford F-150 receives the correct oil and replacement filter to operate at its best. If you’re looking to buy oil and are unsure what oil your truck needs, our experts can help you there, too, and ensure that you purchase oil that enables your truck to operate as intended. If you have any questions, you can reach us online, call us, or take your vehicle in to see us directly. We’ll get your Ford F-150 the oil care it needs today.
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