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Old 06-30-2009, 01:35 PM   #1
noneck
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Ford 6.0 & 6.4 Maintenance Service Letter?

I just received a letter indicating a change in Service intervals (dependent on operating conditions)...
Oil/Filter at 5000 recommends 7500
Fuel filter at 10000 recommends 15000

This could save me $$$ and still meet Factory recommendations...whats your opinion?
 
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Old 06-30-2009, 02:19 PM   #2
TLightning
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I don't have a Ford, but I do what the owner's manual and GM say to do.
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Old 06-30-2009, 03:01 PM   #3
Art-n-Marge
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But this is actually MORE expensive than what my Ford service interval recommends in the original documentation that came with my 2006 F-250 truck that has a 6.0L engine. For my truck, the book says change the oil every 7,500 miles and replace both fuel filters every 15,000 miles. For "special operating conditions" it recommends 5,000 for oil changes. What the notice does do is ADD that both fuel filters should be changed every 10,000 miles if you are following the special operating condition/severe duty schedule. This is a new requirement.

If you follow a normal schedule, then there is no change. If one follows special operating conditions (including towing a trailer, using a camper, using a cartop carrier, extensive idling, extensive low speed driving over long distances such as delivery, taxi, patrol or livery) like I do, since I tow a trailer, then I need to replace both fuel filters more often. This does not save me any money, in fact, it costs more since I now must add both fuel filters to every other oil change at the 5,000 mile intervals I follow, instead of every third oil change.

Oh well, they must have found something when not changing the fuel filters enough.

I have not received any letter, yet, but I shall comply. Like someone has stated in their member's signature, I will paraphrase, maintenance is cheaper than repairs.
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Old 06-30-2009, 03:27 PM   #4
noneck
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So...mine is 2003 and the Service Schedule book has me doing it every 5000....change to 7500 "helps" me.
My truck is 90% commuter use w/5% towing and no excessive idle.
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Old 06-30-2009, 03:51 PM   #5
richfaa
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Got the same letter a few days ago. Whatever it says we will do it. I will have a chat with our dealer .
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Old 06-30-2009, 03:56 PM   #6
Art-n-Marge
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AHA! I have an '06 and maybe this doesn't apply to me. Wait a minute. That makes no sense. A 6.0L is a 6.0L no matter what age, or maybe not. Do you have two fuel filters? I had a 2004 F-250 with a 6.0 and it had 2 fuel filters, too.

I may as well just adopt the change. I tow a lot and have been using the severe duty schedule. Better safe than sorry. I can see how it helps you now.
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Old 07-01-2009, 01:00 AM   #7
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Got the letter. Changes did not apply but they will come October when we will tow more. As fulltimers we will then have to pay someone to do this maintenance unless we are around friends/family having a place to do it ourselves as we have always done.

Phyllis and Leonard
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Old 07-01-2009, 04:40 AM   #8
stiles watson
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Leonard,

That transition is painless......well, maybe a slight twinge to the right hip pocket area.
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Old 07-01-2009, 07:38 AM   #9
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My Ford 6.0's, both of them, had the same numbers as Art's. Mine were 2003 and 2005. My Dodge says 15,000 for the fuel filter but the computer tells me when it's time to change oil, based on heat, load, running time, and whatever else it thinks is important. It used to trip at around 5500 miles. But since I switched to synthetic, I reset it and change oil and filter at 10,000. It's always been on the full mark at oil change time with no oil added between changes. I did the same on my Fords and had no ill effects. But if I were using dino oil I'd change it sooner.
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Old 07-01-2009, 02:55 PM   #10
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Right...so, yes my 6.0L is the same 2 Fuel filters (frame rail & next to oil filter on top of engine). I too have switched to Full Rotella Synthetic and could use a break in cost w/o worry that I'm sacrificing longevity of my truck....Thanks for all the input.
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Old 07-01-2009, 04:33 PM   #11
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How come Ford has decided to change the intervals of the oil change and fuel filter. when I bought my 96 F350, I was told that the oil should be changed every 3000 miles. which I did religiously for the 13 years that I owned it.
Now on the new Dodge, the onboard computer says every 7500 miles but it turned on at 6000 miles and told me I need to service the oil, the dealer said to do it every 6500 miles the book says 7500 it's like pin the tail on the donkey for service.
I guess thats why my F350 was in such good shape when I sold it, inside and out, you could have dinner served on the block it was that clean, if you know what I mean.
I think I'll go with my gut feelings and change it when it looks bad, and not when a dealer says to.
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Old 07-02-2009, 03:24 AM   #12
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The way we see it I have no choice but to stick with the manuacturers service schedule as long as the warranty is in effect. No reason to give them a "out" in the event of a problem. This is also why we do it at a dealer rather than at a quick service lube or do it myself. When Ford does the service they log it on the computer and it is on the "official record"Yes it may be more expensive but so would a new motor at my expense.
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Old 07-02-2009, 05:47 AM   #13
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Don, the oil in the newer diesels, the ones with the low emissions, like the 6.7L Dodge, 6.4L Ford, and the 2007 (most) and later GM 6.6L will show the oil as black about five minutes or less after you start the engine after an oil change. That's just the way it is. If you figure out how to tell when the oil needs changing, by looking at it, please let me know. I can't see a change like I could in the old days.

Don, I'm not an expert but have read many times that the quality of today's oil is so much better that oil changes at 3,000 miles today are a waste of good money. However, that's the opinion of those who wrote those articles. I sure don't have the knowledge to debate that point and won't try to do so. All I know is I took the advice of many who had the experience with synthetic and after running synthetic for somewhere around 150,000 miles (3 different trucks) I see no reason to not let it go to 10,000 miles. However, the true test isn't at that mileage, it's at the upper end, just how long does that engine really last.

Rich has a very valid point about warranty. A Dodge dealer told me, when I asked, that 10,000 on synthetic won't void my warranty, so long as I can show the receipts for the oil purchase and mileage at the change. However, should I have a warranty situation, I would be at his mercy that he remembered telling me that (didn't ask for it in writing) and that Chrysler and Cummins would agree. So the dealer's "word" I have to take only as advisory and not commitment.

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Old 07-02-2009, 07:47 AM   #14
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Oil change once a year (around 25K). OEM filter every 5K. Bypass filter with the oil change. Oil sample when I feel like it.
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Old 07-02-2009, 07:58 AM   #15
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I wondered how newer vehicles were able to support longer intervals. I grew up on the 3,000 mile oil change. But how many of us are able to take advantage of the $19.95 oil change any more.

Trailer Trash2, how many quarts of oil did you old truck take?

One of the major reasons for longer durations besides improvements in oil and engines is the amount of oil in the crankcase. My truck uses 15 quarts of oil (almost 4 gallons), my car uses 11. If in the past a truck only used 6-9 quarts, this is almost double. Vehicles typically used 4 or 5 and for many cars it is far more. That means twice as much oil is available for lubrication as in the past. This contributes to longer oil change intervals.

Just something I read some time back.

And Phyllen, if you are ever in Southern California, stop by my stickhouse and I'll be glad to change your oil/filter. You buy the oil/filter and I'll provide free labor and disposal. How about that? I do my own oil changes now that the free maintenance is gone. I have all the tools and we have the same vehicle.
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Old 07-02-2009, 10:19 AM   #16
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Art I believe it's like most 6.7's 12 quarts plus a filter @ 1.5 qts.
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Old 07-02-2009, 03:37 PM   #17
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Right...this truck was my first Diesel (bought used w/45k miles 2 yrs old).

Started out using Rotella T Dino logging in service booklet which cycles at every 5k miles.

Switched to Rotella Synthetic 2 yrs ago but was not comfortable logging out of cycle mostly because of the combustion by-product residuals that end up in the oil and how long they will prevent foaming while still support the high pressure injector system.

I will insert the letter and adjust mileage intervals going forward...
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Old 07-03-2009, 04:13 AM   #18
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Isn't heat dissipation another function of the large oil quantities?

Don, correct on the 6.7L using 12 quarts. My Ford 6.0 used 15 as Art stated his does.
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Old 07-05-2009, 11:18 AM   #19
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Seems like you guys have a good grip on this subject. But my 2 cents worth is I have an 06 6.0l also and Ford gets the work while under warranty. Oil is changed with filter every 5,000 and both fuel filters every other oil change. You can never be to cautious! I plan on keeping this truck a long time.
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Old 07-06-2009, 08:05 AM   #20
richfaa
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Went to our dealer this AM and questioned them about the "service letter"since they did not change both filters as suggested on my 20K service.
They went into he computer and made a service note that we did not get the letter before the 20K maint and it will be done on the next oil change. We take no chances....
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