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Oil changes at home


dckotwicki

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I change my oil and filter myself.

I keep the receipt.

I keep a maintainence journal that specifies date, mileage and service performed.

Any issues with warranty?

 

Hi dckotwicki. :D No, you would be fine.

 

As long as the oil you are using meets Fords Maintenance Specs for the Edge, and you are changing within the recommended intervals (7,500 miles normal use, 5,000 for Towing/Severe Usage), you should have no worries about Warranty problems..

 

Keeping the receipts and the maintenance journal will be all the verification you would need.

 

Good luck! :beerchug:

Edited by bbf2530
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Hi dckotwicki. :D No, you would be fine.

 

As long as the oil you are using meets Fords Maintenance Specs for the Edge, and you are changing within the recommended intervals (7,500 miles normal use, 5,000 for Towing/Severe Usage), you should have no worries about Warranty problems..

 

Keeping the receipts and the maintenance journal will be all the verification you would need.

 

Good luck! :beerchug:

OOOHHHHH you beat me again bbf2530 :hysterical:

 

Yes, as bbf2530 stated, that is all you need.

 

This is my regiment.

 

Use Amsoil 7500 miles synthetic oil (as long as your oil meets specs)

Change (plans to anyway) at 7500 miles

Buy oil filter day of change

Take pic of receipt with newspaper

Change the oil

Then I update the myford website with the change (as well as my records)

 

This IS overkill - but I have never heard of too much documentation (darn Sarbanes Oxley)

 

Good luck

 

Solas

 

PS - My oil filter was REALLY tight from factory. My strap wrench BENT the can trying to take it off - YIKES. Just be patient.

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If there is an oil related engine failure -sludge, overfilled, low oil level/heat related, out of oil, etc. then no number of receipts will satisfy a warranty specialist.

 

Oil samples will be taken and analyzed to determine the cause of the condition. A receipt doesn't prove anything, any more than a corner lube repair order proves that maintenance was actually done.

 

It is rare that anyone has engine failure due to the type of oil they use or who changes it. But when it happens, and I've seen lots of them over 32 years, it's usually not warrantable because proper maintenance was not done with approved maintenance parts.

 

The next worse case is driving into deep water and hydro-locking the engine - again - not warrantable.

 

How many expose' reports have we seen where the corner shop didn't replace the filter, just cleaned it off, put oil on the shocks/struts to prompt a replacement, etc.

 

Don't take someone's word for what they have done or what materials they have used. Check the oil level after service and look to see if they put on a new filter (I would mark the old one so I would know if they changed it or watch them do it.)

 

If your maintenance records are in the dealers files and there is an oil related failure, chances are that Ford and the dealer are going to stand behind their work (even if it is Ford making the dealer fix a problem they caused (filter gasket leak, underfill, etc.). I don't know how much help you would get from a parts supplier or corner lube shop if you have a problem with their maintenance parts or their service. :banghead:

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"If there is an oil related engine failure -sludge, overfilled, low oil level/heat related, out of oil, etc. then no number of receipts will satisfy a warranty specialist." Agreed - but documentation can not hurt - period the end.

 

Now, I will NOT trust my dealers service department in my area. They dont care - and over filled my Dads Windstar. Duuuhhhh.. I am not willing to take the chance. The dealer I bought it from is just a wee bit out of the way for oil changes - 40 minute drive.

 

"Oil samples will be taken and analyzed to determine the cause of the condition. A receipt doesn't prove anything, any more than a corner lube repair order proves that maintenance was actually done." Yes, under the extreme circumstances, like engine replacement. Now this is regarding Mazda, I know they look up your service records before they start investigating issues. Since none are in there, I would give them my records - proof that the car was indeed maintained - and the problem is not due to lack of maintenance. Now if they "find" that it was the oil, I would have my oil tested independently to prove to them. Most likely it will never go this far, but with my service departments, it probably could.

 

"...approved maintenance parts" - means anything that meets Ford specs - not Ford products. It is illegal to force you to use their parts to approve warranty work. Just buy quality products - ie no Fram.

 

"The next worse case is driving into deep water and hydro-locking the engine - again - not warrantable." Agreed, but not part of the topic.

 

"Don't take someone's word for what they have done or what materials they have used. Check the oil level after service and look to see if they put on a new filter (I would mark the old one so I would know if they changed it or watch them do it.)" Why in the world would I pay money for something ONLY to verify it every time? If they are trained professionals, should they not do it correct? This is why I will do all the maintenance myself - because I know it is done correct.

 

"..I don't know how much help you would get from a parts supplier or corner lube shop if you have a problem with their maintenance parts or their service." I would not expect anything from a Parts Supplier and never go to a corner lube shop.

 

I would still maintain my own records for any future reference. I am a strong believer of the more proof of maintenance the better.

 

Just my thoughts and opinions.

 

Solas

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Everybody,

 

I use Mobil One 5w20 full Synthetic.

I use a name brand filter specifically for my vehicle.

This time I used a Ford brand filter.

I drain the oil

R&R the filter (checking to make sure I don't leave behind the seal)

re-torque the drain plug.

Re-fill with oil (5.5 qts for the Edge)

Start it up and watch the oil light go out

Let it run for a minute or two.

Stop the engine, let the oil settle and check the level.

I then periodically check the oil level throughout the service interval.

Just like I have for the last 30 years.

 

If I am stupid enough to let my oil turn to sludge... shame on me.

ANY oil in ANY vehicle of mine would easily pass any analysis.

 

Heck, I use synthetic in my lawn mower and snow thrower.

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  • 1 year later...

Yeah, Solas, I think that meets Sarbanes Oxley, PCI, ISO 9000, and some other yet unknown criteria. I've never heard of a dispute with the manufacturer about brand of oil in my life, so far. But you can't be too careful!

JL

 

OOOHHHHH you beat me again bbf2530 :hysterical:

 

Yes, as bbf2530 stated, that is all you need.

 

This is my regiment.

 

Use Amsoil 7500 miles synthetic oil (as long as your oil meets specs)

Change (plans to anyway) at 7500 miles

Buy oil filter day of change

Take pic of receipt with newspaper

Change the oil

Then I update the myford website with the change (as well as my records)

 

This IS overkill - but I have never heard of too much documentation (darn Sarbanes Oxley)

 

Good luck

 

Solas

 

PS - My oil filter was REALLY tight from factory. My strap wrench BENT the can trying to take it off - YIKES. Just be patient.

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Yeah, you can't trust dealers or quick change locations blindly, either. I have a buddy who just bought a Pontiac G8 and came over and I could "smell" oil. It was dark out, so we got a flashlight and saw a puddle of oil under the car, coming from the filter. It was EXTREMELY tight, I don't know what they did, but he had the oil changed at a KC Pontiac dealer the day before. Of course, they fixed it for free, but the trust is compromised. That's why I do my own.

JL

If there is an oil related engine failure -sludge, overfilled, low oil level/heat related, out of oil, etc. then no number of receipts will satisfy a warranty specialist.

 

Oil samples will be taken and analyzed to determine the cause of the condition. A receipt doesn't prove anything, any more than a corner lube repair order proves that maintenance was actually done.

 

It is rare that anyone has engine failure due to the type of oil they use or who changes it. But when it happens, and I've seen lots of them over 32 years, it's usually not warrantable because proper maintenance was not done with approved maintenance parts.

 

The next worse case is driving into deep water and hydro-locking the engine - again - not warrantable.

 

How many expose' reports have we seen where the corner shop didn't replace the filter, just cleaned it off, put oil on the shocks/struts to prompt a replacement, etc.

 

Don't take someone's word for what they have done or what materials they have used. Check the oil level after service and look to see if they put on a new filter (I would mark the old one so I would know if they changed it or watch them do it.)

 

If your maintenance records are in the dealers files and there is an oil related failure, chances are that Ford and the dealer are going to stand behind their work (even if it is Ford making the dealer fix a problem they caused (filter gasket leak, underfill, etc.). I don't know how much help you would get from a parts supplier or corner lube shop if you have a problem with their maintenance parts or their service. :banghead:

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  • 1 month later...
Everybody,

 

I use Mobil One 5w20 full Synthetic.

I use a name brand filter specifically for my vehicle.

This time I used a Ford brand filter.

I drain the oil

R&R the filter (checking to make sure I don't leave behind the seal)

re-torque the drain plug.

Re-fill with oil (5.5 qts for the Edge)

Start it up and watch the oil light go out

Let it run for a minute or two.

Stop the engine, let the oil settle and check the level.

I then periodically check the oil level throughout the service interval.

Just like I have for the last 30 years.

 

If I am stupid enough to let my oil turn to sludge... shame on me.

ANY oil in ANY vehicle of mine would easily pass any analysis.

 

Heck, I use synthetic in my lawn mower and snow thrower.

 

Funny you mention that. I also use synthetic in my small engines...lawn mower, power washer, generator, etc.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I agree with most of you regarding doing work myself. But in the case of my Edge i didnt pay an extra $3,500 (waht it works out top over the next 5 years) to do that work myself. I dont know if any of you purchased the "gas and Go" warrenty like I did, but I bought that just so I dont have to worry about maintanance issues. I have enough of those with my Mustang. I dont need another car I have to worry about.

 

Matthew

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I've never heard of a dispute with the manufacturer about brand of oil in my life, so far.

JL

 

The disputes are not usually about the brand of oil, they are about the condition of the engine and the obvious lack of maintenance or improper products used. I've seen people drag out receipts, swear they did it themselves or the corner luber did it regularly, etc.

 

LACK OF LUBRICATION IS NOT WARRANTABLE.

 

If there is a lubrication issue and the Ford/L/M dealer maintained the vehicle, I would expect them to stand behind their work - just like I would expect you to stand behind your work, if you do it yourself.

 

Do not disillusion yourself by thinking receipts for parts, or from the lube shop prove anything or guarantee Ford warranty coverage I've seen sludge, collapsed filter media, galded bearings, clattering valve trains, broken timing belts, cracked heads (overheating) and blown engines. Owner responsibility. Rare, but it happens. Ask the guys that decided to use 10w40 or 10w30 in their 5.4L trucks because that is what they have been using for years.

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"Don't take someone's word for what they have done or what materials they have used. Check the oil level after service and look to see if they put on a new filter (I would mark the old one so I would know if they changed it or watch them do it.)" Why in the world would I pay money for something ONLY to verify it every time? If they are trained professionals, should they not do it correct? This is why I will do all the maintenance myself - because I know it is done correct.

 

 

Solas

 

Amazingly, stuff like this does happen. A number of years ago, my sister had a Taurus & brought it to Wal-Mart to have have an oil & filter change while she shopped. Well. she checked & it still had the same filter on as when it went in. She then checked the oil & it was filthy. They charged her & did nothing to the car.

 

Now, I don't know if it was deliberate or not. She said it was quite busy that day. The manager did give her a free oil change as well as a store gift certificate. So it is worth checking what a shop does just to be sure.

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Amazingly, stuff like this does happen. A number of years ago, my sister had a Taurus & brought it to Wal-Mart to have have an oil & filter change while she shopped. Well. she checked & it still had the same filter on as when it went in. She then checked the oil & it was filthy. They charged her & did nothing to the car.

 

Now, I don't know if it was deliberate or not. She said it was quite busy that day. The manager did give her a free oil change as well as a store gift certificate. So it is worth checking what a shop does just to be sure.

 

That's better than the 2 Wal-Mart stories I know about. They put on the wrong filter and ended up buying 2 new engines after they lost all of the oil within a few miles.

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While a lot of the bad dealers have been put out of business, there are also a few who have survived the cuts.

Several years ago, I had a 2000 Windstar that had to go in for an intake manifold replacement. The proceedure calls for an oil change when the job is done because the manifold is wet and there's a possibility of anti-freeze running into the crankcase.

When I got the vehicle back, even tho there was a charge to Ford for oil & a filter, the change was never done! I confronted the service mgr and was promptly told that I was mistaken. My only mistake was to have taken the car to this dealer for service!

There are good dealers out there and if you find one, hang in there with him! :hyper:

Edited by flyerjmr33
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