I wonder if I can change oil filter every other time. I use blend synthetic oil from Havoline (5W30 High milage) and do oil change every 4,000 miles.

 

I have used Mobil1 for 14 years with this Ranger, and this is how:
The 1,2,3 Method...
1) Change oil and filter, record mileage.
2) At 3K to 4K miles I change the Filter and add some Oil.
3) At 6K to 7K I start again with Oil and Filter change.

So far so good and the truck is running well. She is a 2003 EDGE 4x, with 3.0L.
I buy my Mobil 1 at Costco for $27+ for six quarts (On Sale), Filters (Motorcraft) I have to get on line or at O'Riely's for about $5 = w/Tax $35.00 oil changes every two to three months, dependent on milage, sometimes more.

So to answer you question, you can't change the filter every other time but you can change the filter in-between oil changes, add some oil, and go another 2 or 3K miles, then do the full oil and filter. This won't same you much on filters but the extended full Oil/Filter changes will save you some on the oil.

When I did regular dino Oil changes, I did the oil/filter change every 3K miles, so I like to keep the oil clean that is why I use two filters.

And the old adage... The less miles you drive the more often you need to change you oil.

 

I have never done this but have heard of other doing it with good results.
To the original poster---- If you are ever wanting to know the condition of your oil you can send a sample to blackstone labs https://www.blackstone-labs.com/ for an analysis. I do this with my Dodge Diesel just to make sure everything internal is good.

 

I agree, when using synthetic oil change the filter but leave the oil

synthetic oil does not break down as fast as natural oil, but a filter is a filter, it cleans out any debris passing thru it, and has a limited surface area that is reduced as it collects this debris, so it can reduce oil flowing thru it as more and more debris collects inside

Same as fuel filter should be changed every 5 years

 

My point was that most oil filters (Fram, etc) last 8,000 miles (at least they claim). Shouldn't it be OK to change it every other time if I plan to change oil every 4,000 miles?

 

You can do anything you want, it is your truck !
The biggest thing to remember... CHANGE YOUR OIL at regular intervals, including filters !

To me I like to take care of the truck and this is how I take care of the engine.

What ever method you chose is up to you, good luck.

As RonD said, filters breakdown and faster than the Manufacturers say they will. There are filters out there that do work and would last but you pay the price.

WIX Filters is the only one I would use in your scenario, even the Motorcraft Filter, I would only go 4000 miles max.

Later,.

 

It does save a little money, more importantly it's less waste.

 

The older Dino-Oil sequences were, 2000 miles on oil, 4000 miles on filters, right along your line of thinking.
IMHO... Filters were made from better material and better constructed back then,
I like to filter the oil with a new filter to keep it cleaner, so 3000 on a filter and 6000 on oil. $40.00 for approximately 4 to 6 months.

I am sure someone could give us some statistics showing how long oil and a specific filter will last, in fact I would like to see that is someone, anyone has some info.

I did read somewhere, about Oil Filters, I will need to look that up, if I find it I will post it.

Added - I just watch a few of the Oil Filter vs Oil Filters, WIX XP seems to be a winner, cost is pretty much even at $10+.

AND most Oil Filter Manufacturers state their Filters should last 15,000 miles, interesting, Miles vs Hours.

Anyway..., I'm Motorcraft isn't much better than the overall pack of low cost filters, they work well but not as good as others; I might have to consider using the Wix XP Filter.

B2300Truck, From these ON-Line Videos, it would appear that your idea could hold water, with the right synthetic oil you could actually only do one oil change in 10000 to 15000 miles.

Me I wouldn't, I might upgrade my filter type, I probably will stick to Mobile1, purchase fromCostco, who has increased there pricing to $29.00, so my new cost for a 6 month oil and filter change, using Mobile1 and Wix XP Filters will be $49.00 plus tax. That brings my yearly cost to over $100 and if I do the four moth changes, then the yearly cost goes up to over $150.

B2300, Wondering how much you will save using your oil and filter method and cost ?

Got wordy, sorry.

Later

 

I never understood the reasoning on saving $20 a year at the risk of ruining a $2,500+ engine.

 

I'm with ya on this one !

For $150 you can have a 3 decent Synthetic-Oil and a decent Filter changes in a year and know your engine is being taken care of or even the two yearly changes for $100... doesn't make sense to me, but everyone to their own !

 

5-28-2022
Just changed my oil from synthetic blend to full synthetic. (same weight range)
Used the prescribed Motorcraft FL-1A
I drive the truck between 2000 and 3000 per year this is an annual oil/filter change. (odometer: 134,900)
I'm not new to self oil changes but this time, the engine lifters(?) began to chatter and continued even after a few minutes
Questions:
1) Would the switch to full synthetic cause the "chattering"? (same weights and range. 5W-30)
R2) The Motorcraft FL-1A replaced the Pennzoil PZ-1 filter Firestone had installed last oil change. The PZ-1 was slightly smaller in circumference than the FL-1A overall.
Thanks

 

I change my oil every 10k miles, or yearly, whichever comes first. Since I have been daily driving the truck far more often than the past few years (my evo is too fun to drive, truck got parked for a while) I'm sure ill have 2 full oil changes under my belt for the truck this year.

I'll generally change filters at least 1 time between oil changes (If I hit 5k miles) and check oil level every other fill-up, as well as when a filter is exchanged.