Change oil now, or wait

tsielski

New Bronco BD with the 2.7 is just shy of 975 miles. The oil life indicator is showing 85%. In the past, I've typically replaced the "break-in" oil on new vehicles at around the 1000 mile point and am wondering what the consensus on the site is; change it once it reaches 1000 miles, or wait until the oil "life" has dropped below the 50% mark (or even lower). Whenever I replace the "break-in" oil, oil changes will happen at intervals no longer than 5000 miles, regardless of oil life, unless the oil life, for some reason has gotten low before the 5000 mile mark.

You're going to get all kinds of opinions on this topic. For me, I always do an oil change at around 1000 miles. I'd rather be safe than sorry. It doesn't cost that much and it gives me peace of mind.

Deano Bronc

tsielski

New Bronco BD with the 2.7 is just shy of 975 miles. The oil life indicator is showing 85%. In the past, I've typically replaced the "break-in" oil on new vehicles at around the 1000 mile point and am wondering what the consensus on the site is; change it once it reaches 1000 miles, or wait until the oil "life" has dropped below the 50% mark (or even lower). Whenever I replace the "break-in" oil, oil changes will happen at intervals no longer than 5000 miles, regardless of oil life, unless the oil life, for some reason has gotten low before the 5000 mile mark.

You're going to get all kinds of opinions on this topic. For me, I always do an oil change at around 1000 miles. I'd rather be safe than sorry. It doesn't cost that much and it gives me peace of mind.

I usually change break in oil between 900 and 1000k miles

Deano Bronc

You're going to get all kinds of opinions on this topic. For me, I always do an oil change at around 1000 miles. I'd rather be safe than sorry. It doesn't cost that much and it gives me peace of mind.

^ Sage advice right there from @Deano Bronc

I too have always voided the original oil at 1500 miles or so - right after break-in!

I also change my oil for the break in oil at 1500 miles. However I do change my oil after that every 7k, I know people out there are groaning and cursing me under my breath.

Here is my reasoning:

-Motor oil is NOT how it used to be, the processes used to make the oil are cleaner and the additives are stronger and more efficient.
-Oil filter technology had improved significantly over the past ten years, with the introduction of synthetic membrane filter media and better more efficient paper media oil filters are more effective and filtering the oil as well.
-Oil does not like heat: heat, dirt and pressure are the perfect ingredients to sludge: Engine and oil cooling systems have improved as well

I promise that I am not making this stuff up, I was in the oil business for over 15 years and the oil filter business for over 8 years. I worked for both Pennzoil/Shell as well as Chevron/Texaco and the science backs me up. I will say in order to extend your intervals do not use "Dave Discount Oil", make sure the oil meets OEM specifications as well as API specs. Also learn a bit regarding your ASE numbers! Some people don't realize that the motor oil SAE Weight listed on the 710 cap on your engine MIGHT NOT be the best oil for where you live and how you drive. There are so many factors that people don't realize when going to a Quick Lube. Make sure that the lube shop is using an OEM type of oil filter (NOT USUALLY SERVICE CHAMP) and make sure that the oil meets the API specs for your car and climate.

I hope this helps people, also know that some of you all might consider me nuts, and I am according to my wife, but I know motor oil and if you all ever need help falling to sleep call me and I will talk for hours about oil stuff that is guaranteed to put you to sleep in NO TIME!

tsielski

New Bronco BD with the 2.7 is just shy of 975 miles. The oil life indicator is showing 85%. In the past, I've typically replaced the "break-in" oil on new vehicles at around the 1000 mile point and am wondering what the consensus on the site is; change it once it reaches 1000 miles, or wait until the oil "life" has dropped below the 50% mark (or even lower). Whenever I replace the "break-in" oil, oil changes will happen at intervals no longer than 5000 miles, regardless of oil life, unless the oil life, for some reason has gotten low before the 5000 mile mark.

I would go with what ever they recommend

They don't use break-in oil and you can go 5,000 or 7,500 or whatever they recommend; however, I would change it at 1,000 miles.

Changed mine at 1K, then at 5500 or so thinking I’d normalize around 5k.

I stretch other cars that see less dirt and trails to 8-10k, but figure 10 miles on a trail is about 100-200 highway miles.

I’ve always been taught that older motors with iron bores and such required “higher friction”, detergentless oil in order for rings to seat properly. Run these at varying load (speed, rpm’s, hills, etc) for 1000-2500 miles and then get the break in oil outta there and move to a more traditional oil.

I split the difference between the usual 1000 and the recommended 5000. Under 3000 miles. I don't drive hard.*

*95% of the time, not during the first 1000. Sometimes my right foot gets heavy... :D ...

Oil is much better now than it used to be. I have car with 354k on the clock that got an oil change at about 15,000 intervals. Now I would never do this with a turbo motor, it is much harder on oil than NA motors.

"Break in oil" is not even a thing with cars these days. Sure, if you send an engine through a machine shop and reassemble in your garage and crank it for the first time, there's break in processes to follow. But modern engine manufacturing processes are a different world. There is no "break in oil" in your Bronco. It is ready to roll. Just drive it and enjoy, quit stressing over things that haven't mattered since the 90s.

I changed mine at about 1300 miles. New engine so figured in the off chance there were any possibilities of any kind of contaminants they would go in that first oil change. Will wait 5000 between canges going forward

Just like anything. From a first date to a G Wagon to a 22 Bronco. Raw dawg it until 6000 Miles. You gain some respect.

It’s unnecessary in my opinion. Break in oil is a thing of the past. I consider myself OCD and I get my first oil change at 3000 miles. I perform routine oil changes every 3 months or 5000 miles - whatever comes first. I’ve done this with several 2.7 ecoboost engines over the past 6 years with excellent results. No engine issues. No warranty repairs.

Changed oil at 2K miles on 2.3 MT and we switched to full synthetic for a host of reasons. Runs better and cooler

I changed my oil at 1000 miles. The sticker reminder they placed on my windshield for next oil change is 6500.

Kennp

I usually change break in oil between 900 and 1000k miles

1000k miles?

that would be 1,000,000 miles

I changed at 1000, mainly because 1: it was free for me, 2: while not economical, you can never change oil too much (why gamble any breakin issues) 3: I want those breakin lubricants out of my circulation system. 4: on my 3rd oil change, I will do a blackstone lab analysis to see if there is anything in it that could be a concern.

synthetic blend or full synthetic that is the question
I like using full synthetic on all my vehicles
I don't know what Ford starts with / the so called break-in oil ?

oldgoat

synthetic blend or full synthetic that is the question
I like using full synthetic on all my vehicles
I don't know what Ford starts with / the so called break-in oil ?

Ford uses a blend. We switched to full synthetic at 2K miles on our 2.3 MT and very happy we did.