What mntc schedule do you follow for the Ford E450?

[gmacklem]

I am getting ready to change my oil this weekend at 15,000 miles and got to thinking about the maintenance schedule recommended by Ford. I looked through the owners manual for the E450 and I am not sure I will follow their schedule. So let me cover each area below.

First up is probably the most controversial and that is the oil change. I tend to change my vehicles every 5k where the manual says 7,500. I do use Mobil 1 full synthetic.

Next up is one that seems odd and that is changing the air filter every 30k. I do them at 15k and I am not sure I have seen a vehicle recommended to go as far as 30k before.

The transmission for the 5 sp. says every 60k but I usually do 30k if they are in extreme service. If any vehicle I have ever owned operated under extreme service I would say this RV with 12k - 14k lbs and towing a 3,200 lb car would qualify.

Spark plugs say to do them at 97k and coolant at 6 years or 105k which I will not have anywhere near 105k in 6 years.

So do you follow this schedule or do you have your own preferences?

[grumpy0374]

Oil change every 5000 miles, synthetic 5w20, Ford 820S oil filter. Also lube front end grease points. Air filter, Ford or Wix at 12000 miles. Just changed air filter before going on current trip. Only had 13000 miles on it and it was already really dirty. So now, every 12000 miles. Havent hit coolant/brake/tranny fluid mileage yet.
Grumpy

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

Also lube front end grease points.
Grumpy

I haven't checked for any zirks under there. Any recommendation on what kind of grease to use? I have some bearing grease I used on a car dolly, will that work?

[grumpy0374]

There's 4 zerks. 2 upper ball joints, 2 on steering linkage.. Just regular bearing grease will do fine.
I just give em a quick squirt if needed at each oil change.
But, check your rig as some E-450 have plugs on the ball joints and no zerks. Seems there's a bit of difference as to whether or not there installed. Some have em and some don't.
Grumpy

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

There's 4 zerks. 2 upper ball joints, 2 on steering linkage.. Just regular bearing grease will do fine.
I just give em a quick squirt if needed at each oil change.
But, check your rig as some E-450 have plugs on the ball joints and no zerks. Seems there's a bit of difference as to whether or not there installed. Some have em and some don't.
Grumpy

Thanks. I will be changing the oil this weekend so I will check for zirks. I didn't see any mention of them in the owners manual for the 2013 E-450 so maybe it doesn't have them.

[gizmo98]

I have a mechanic instructor that mentioned use full synthetic grease save on potential failures in the future ( pay a little more for full synthetic )

[vasnipe]

I tracked down this link on the Ford web site to supplement the owner's manual I got with my rig. Some useful information.

Maintenance Schedules | fleet.ford.com

Hope this helps some.

Chris in Virginia

[ilmor]

I just follow the schedule per the manual. I feel that doing otherwise is just wasting time and money.

[BusyRetirees]

Originally Posted by ilmor

I just follow the schedule per the manual. I feel that doing otherwise is just wasting time and money.

x2