I switched to synthetic at 500 miles.


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~
1999 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
Off Road Package
Tow Package
5.4L Automatic
Supercab
Electric 4x4 switch
Full bench interior
Factory running boards
Mods : superchip, gibson
swept-back exhaust, k&n
FIPK. Bug deflector.
Use : Mobil1 5w30 and
k&n oil filter.

 

kkirt1: My '87 used oil(don't remember exactly how much) on a regular basis,no leaks under it. At 20,000 miles it stopped for no apparent reason. The only explanation I could attribute it to was the rings. Of course there is no guarantee that it will or won't burn oil if you switch, I just feel you increase the odds if you switch too early, IMHO.

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Red 99.5 Lightning,#0975,Born 5/6/99...Adopted 5/27/99 Chipped w/SuperChip Flipchip chip, Mobil 1



[This message has been edited by 4D THNDR (edited 10-11-1999).]

 

rrp 29-

I have four Autometer Sport Comp 2 5/8" mechanical gauges in my truck. Oil pressure and water temp under the dash and vacuum and volts on the a-pillar. That is interesting about the factory oil pressure gauge though. I did not know that. I would have sworn on a bible that I had seen it move in the past (but I was basing my results on the Autometer), but I guess I wasn't paying that close attention. I will watch it more carefully next time I'm out. I bought and installed the Autometers two days after I purchased the truck. I never have trusted electrical gauges (especially factory ones).
Take care,
-Chris

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'95 Eddie Bauer F-150 SC & '64 Falcon/Ranchero
-------------------------------------
Are you A.S.E. Certified ? If so, ask me about
iATN...the best tool you'll ever have ! ! And it's
free

 

Doug,

Engine oils are like tooth paste. There are all kinds for all kinds of usage. If you are looking for an excuse to use synthetic, then here goes; It will not break down as easily as nonsynthetic oils. That in itself will offer you some added protection. If you are looking for a reason for not using it, then here goes; You do not need it. You are spending money for protection you probably will never need. Pick your reason and buy your oil. Just make sure you change your oil & filter regularly and do not exceed the recommended interval, Ford's that is. Now having said that I use synthetics in my vehicles and regular in my wife's. I beat the crap out of mine an
want the peace of mind the added protection affords.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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On Order: 00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
using: Wife'S 99 Explorer till arrival

 

I do not use it but I agree with JMC. His explanation is what I believe in. I dont think I need the extra protection. I change the oil every 3000-4000 miles and keep driving. No oil related problems on any vehicle that I have ever had. I put the extra money in my pocket and waste it on fishing supplies that I probally will never use. Go figure.

Go Fish


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White 1999 F150 4X4 XLT Regular Cab, 5.4L Short bed, 373 Rear, Towing & Off Road Pkg, 6 Disk CD, Keyless Entry

Mods Include : Superchip, Flowmaster exhaust, Smittybilt Chrome bed rails and nerf bars, Full window tint,
K&N filter, Ventshade window deflectors, Line-X bedliner. Triton boats tag on front - BASS sticker in rear glass

 

I think it's a good idea to wait until one reaches around 12K before switching. I switched too early on my 91 at 5K and ended up having to add a quart every 3k to keep it topped off. I waited on the explorer to 12K and now it has around 24K without any loss. I'm definitely waiting to change over to Mobil 1 in the new truck. I like the peace of mind with the synthetic and extended drain intervals but in all honesty if you change at 3K religiously it's gonna last. My neighbor has 190K on a 96 Chevy 4X4 and only has replaced the muffler. My father was another one that consistently would put 130K + on a vehicle but used regular oil and changed at 3K without any motor problems. There isn't any hurry as the benefits early on could end up being an added cost as in the case of my 91. It runs like a top but really shouldn't have started losing oil that early on.

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99 F150 4X4 Ext Cab Black and Tan Lariat, Every Option except engine block htr
1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V-8 every option
91 F150 Rare Nite pkg Ext Cab 4X4 Still my favorite sigh..

 

I changed last night with just 1,000 miles on the new motor. I guess the use of synthetic is as unique as the drivers of these trucks.

91Nite: I think it is a big leap to automatically assume that the synthetic was the cause of the engine using oil. Its odd, some motors just seem to use oil, some not. My last engine used about a quart every 3,000 miles. The oil usage didn't start until 35,000 miles or so and it never had synthetic in it.

In my defense though, I am not an engine builder. I haven't seen an engine torn down pre and post break-in. I have always just relied on common sense and gut feeling. Some times it works, some times it doesn't.

One final thought (finally): I think a lot of people, including myself, suffer from the placebo affect when using new products. It's new, it must be better. I guess it boils down to - personal preference. It makes me feel better, especially since I am on my second engine, so I use it. Period!

 

When my 5.4L engine developed a very loud piston slap, I was able to reduce cold startup noise to normal by using Mobil 1 synthetic. Since then I have pulled my 5000lb boat with my Expedition over a thousand of miles in 2 days (several times) during hot summer weather and not burned more than a teaspoon or two of oil each trip. There is no doubt in my mind that in this case the synthetic has proven to perform exceptionally well. With over 50,000 miles on it the piston slap is under control and I never have to add even a 1/4 qt between oil changes. I am however having a new engine installed shortly to elliminate the potential of further piston slap problems.

Prior to this, my experience has been that under normal circumstances the use of regular oil, changed every 3000-4000 miles provides adequate engine lubrication.

I do believe however that if you work your engine hard or you experience very cold winters, synthetics can be a good investment particularly if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.

There is however, no substitute for running CLEAN oil through your engine no matter what the type. Make sure you use a quality oil filter, one that is recommended for the type of oil you use and change your oil at Ford's recommended intervals regardless of the oil you choose.

 

Just switched to Mobil 1 5-30 last night. 6000 miles. From what I was told the rings should be seated after the first 1000 miles so you should be safe to switch.

 

Dear Doug Wilkerson--Please see my post on "oil-Again" on this "Engines" site. I've used Mobil-1 since it came out with extended drain intervals, with no problems. Although the Viper and Corvette comes with a factory fill of this oil, I usually wait for about 2k-3k before a Mobil-1 fill. I usually change the original oil and filter at 7-8 hundred miles to get rid of new engine filings, refill with castrol 5-30, and change to Mobil-1 at approx 2-3k miles. Mobil says that you don't have to do this, however. there should be no problems with oil leaks unless the engine has fairly high milage and it already leaks. With a present oil leak, synthetics typically leak more. Hope this helps.

 

I have 4500mi and plan on changing to Mobil 1 5W30 at 10K. This will be my first experience with full syn. Bottom line is I plan on driving this truck until one of us dies, (I'm 43) and in the long run we are talking about .05 and .10 on a 25,000 vehicle. It makes me feel better, more comfortable knowing that I'm giving it the best so will do it.


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99, XL, SC, SB, auto, 4.6L, 255x70R16, 3.55LS, 2wd, Med Tor, Dk Grph, LoRider Tonneau

 

I had a 98 Explorer Sport with the new SOHC V-6 and ran nothing but Penzoil 5W-30. Towed my 23 foot Crownline from Florida to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri once and to Illinois once with no problems. Still no problems after 60,000 miles. If you change your oil every 3,000 miles you are not going to have a problem. For my piece of mind, I would rather change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. If I lived where it is -40 F all the time then I would go to the Mobile 1.