DIY oil changing for first time in 30 years- questions

[Bill Saunders]

With Covid and my mechanic, who's still open part time, in and out of
many cars all day, I feel at my age that I can't take the risk using him
currently, so for the first time in 30 years, I'm going to change the
oil myself on my '03 Ford Taurus Vulcan 3.0L OHV 170K mile car.
Although ordering all the supplies online has been pretty painless, I
was overwhelmed with all of the oil options available. I have a few
questions:

1) With 170K miles, should I use plain oil or "high mileage" oil?
There also appears to be different types of "high mileage" oil, with
either synthetic or conventional options. For now, I decided to choose
this

https://tinyurl.com/y4sva4le

2) I plan to use front ramps to elevate the car for easier access. Any
issues using ramps?

3) Again, overwhelmed with oil filter options so went with a Fram
PH3600. Ok or not?

I already have a filter wrench, pan wrench and catch pan so ok to go
there, but in addition to answering the above any other suggestions
welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[Tom]

Post by Bill Saunders
With Covid and my mechanic, who's still open part time, in and out of
many cars all day, I feel at my age that I can't take the risk using him
currently, so for the first time in 30 years, I'm going to change the
oil myself on my '03 Ford Taurus Vulcan 3.0L OHV 170K mile car.
Although ordering all the supplies online has been pretty painless, I
was overwhelmed with all of the oil options available. I have a few

Hi Bill,

I'm maintaining a 2002 F150 4.2L with about 130k. My comments are in that
context...and I'm definitely not an expert.

Post by Bill Saunders
1) With 170K miles, should I use plain oil or "high mileage" oil?
There also appears to be different types of "high mileage" oil, with
either synthetic or conventional options. For now, I decided to choose
this
https://tinyurl.com/y4sva4le

I'm running Havoline's high mileage synthetic blend since 2014, which seems
to be comprable to the oil you linked. I've been happy with it. You
might check https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums for everything you never
wanted to know about motor oil.

Post by Bill Saunders
3) Again, overwhelmed with oil filter options so went with a Fram
PH3600. Ok or not?

I ran Fram filters with no trouble until 2018. Then I was able to source
Motorcraft filters at the same, or slightly lower price, from the same
retailer. I've been running Motorcraft filters since with, again, no
troubles.

Post by Bill Saunders
I already have a filter wrench, pan wrench and catch pan so ok to go
there, but in addition to answering the above any other suggestions
welcome.

Do you have a location to recycle the used oil?

I find having a wide-mouth funnel is helpful when pouring the new oil,
something like this FloTool (or the 10705 or 10714):

<URL:https://www.walmart.com/ip/RhinoGear-Hand-E-Quick-Fill-Funnel/20889310>

I have another funnel for transfering the oil from the catch pan to the
(now empty) oil jug for transfer to the recycling facility.


Hope that helps. Good luck!

Tom