On most Rangers (most other Fords too) I've been around 5000 miles was the basic recommended service interval. Of course it also recommended more frequent changes depending on driving conditions. I change mine every 5K and don't have a problem. These days I'll usually buy what ever is on sale with the oil change special. I've used mostly FRAM filters for the last 15 years with no problem, and will continue to use them for the next 20K miles. Store closing sale and I bought all of them they had for about a buck a piece.
Oil change was something that shocked me when I bought my little Kia. Reading the service manual I see it recommends a 7500 miles oil change interval on conventional oil.
Yeah, I still change it at 5000 miles, but if I ever make the switch to synthetic I'll be extending the intervals.
with a good running engine, and most modern units are great....you can get away with sub par filters. after all, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
but
many filters have a shelf life depending on construction and bypass type if applicable.. even oil filters with soft components do last a long long time for sure depending on the construction. much much longer then air filters.
but a bottom of the line orange fram is a pos on a perfect day. thats not opinion, take it apart and compare it post and pre use and see for yourself..
motorcraft filters are much better by comparison, far from the best but perfect for these ends...
but a ultra high efficiency filter should be the filter you seek..... those will ensure a stellar oil sump that leads to a ridiculously long engine life.
For years I have wondered WHY guys use the synthetic oil. If it was better than regular oil the manufacturer would write it on the cans! It is truly space age oil. But it doesn't do one damn thing for a vehicle engine!
If we would watch the commercials on the TV we would notice that they do NOT say the damn oil is going to do ANYTHING for our engines.
It is all hype and nothing else. I have never used it and I change oil regularly when the light comes on in my modern vehicles. Most times about 9,000 miles. I always have the changer guy put whatever is on sale in my rides and they do just fine.
If the sale oil was deficient in ANY WAY the changer guy would be liable! In my opinion all motor oil will do just fine.
Big Jim
well.....this is a classic continuation of misnomers.
ALL......
ALL api rated motor oils are synthetic....
from the moment you crack crude it has been synthesized.
synthetic oil in the regards we make the reference is simply a higher additives and further refined package product that can take the ass whoopin of the i.c.e. environment longer and is much better then the conventional minimum spec grade products.
every engine maker understands and if they want the engine to have the best and most stress free longest life....want you to use the best oil available.
still....i run a first rate oil with a decent filter at the 3-5 k range.
and oil dont go bad or wear out.....it just gets dirty. so my oil goes right from my sumps into my fuel tank when the dirt content out runs it original additives package.....i use it all.... actually i waste it when i convert it to fuel duty in a technical aspect.... more cost effective then trying to clean and re adjust those synthetic properties it cam from valvoline with.
and, one of the most shocking things i learned, oil is filthy(this is a technical amount of filthy) right out of the bottle....usually particles larger then 15 microns abound, and it takes two or three passes thru your on board oil filter to be as clean as it can be.
so (this is key for filter quality josh t).....our oil filters are bypassed with every cold start till the oil is warm enough to flow. all the primary circuits get oil that dont go thru no filters....so its possible a fresh oil change in winter could ruin an engine depending tolerances and specs....because that brand new clean oil could have particulates in it that can cause abrasive damage... maybe no all in one shot...but over time its possible depending on whether or not you use cheap oil or "sale oil"....you know the cheap shit that is always on sale....
the oil shop that changes your oil is not responsible for that.