I've been agonizing over whether or not to switch to synthetic oil (probably Mobil 1).

I haven't changed my oil yet . . I have only 1500 miles. I plan to change it every 3000 miles. I've already picked up a case of Castrol 5w-30 and a Mobil 1 filter, but now I'm not so sure.

For those of you who made the switch:
- Why did you switch?
- How many miles did you have before switching?
- What brand Oil did you switch from?
- What brand Oil are you using now?
- Any regrets? (oil leaks, etc.)

For those of you still on conventional oil?
- Why don't you switch?
- Are you a conventional oil success story? (I'm looking for excuses NOT to spend the extra on the sythetic oil)
- What are your arguments against syntetics?

I know there have been several threads on engine oils, but I haven't seen one dedicated solely on synth-vs-conventional oil or when the best time to switch is.

And I've tried to do my homework, but the information out there is so varied and opinionated it's hard to tell. I thought I'd get it from a focus group closest to my heart: F-150 owners.

Thanks for your help.

------------------
'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

This has been discussed before.
Try searching for topics about this.
I think it was in the engines section.
Look at some older pages in this forum.

 

Drained the factory fill at 175 miles, now use Mobil 1 0w-30.

Bob P.

 

There has been some discussion but I think it warrants a revisit.

I plan on changing to synthetic at 1,000 miles. This is the "break-in" period specified by the manual. From what I have read about oil (a lot) and what I know (a little) it would make sense to wait until this break-in period is over.

By waiting until after this intial break-in period I think you give the motor a chance to seat all of the internal parts (i.e. cams, pistons, rings, etc.). The exellent lubrication properties of these synthetics may prevent some of this "good" wear from occuring.

I also agonized about even using synthetic. I probably won't have my truck for more than 75k - 100k miles so why should I spend the extra cash. Well, the first motor in my truck was replaced at 50k miles because of piston slap. Before it was replaced I felt a definate loss of power. I'm sure some of this was because of normal wear on replacement items (i.e. spark plugs, fuel injectors etc.) I think some of the loss was from internal engine wear though. I would like to prevent this from happening again so the price of the synthetics seems well worth it.

------------------
'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, white/sliver, SC, ORP, 5.4 (FQR), Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt Nerf Bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, K&N Filter and Carbon Fiber Bug Gaurd. Rigged the fog lights too.




[This message has been edited by kkirt1 (edited 10-05-1999).]

 

Yes, the engine oil thread was a long one (and still growing).

That thread concentrated on "what oil do you use", and I wanted to focus only on personal testimonies of Synthetic vs. Conventional oils, not so much the weights, brands, etc.

Plus, once a thread gets too long, people grow tired of wading through it. I definitely think there's more room for discussion.



------------------
'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

Brought this up on the other one, I'll do it again on this one. Make sure the rings are seated before you switch. Had an '87 Ranger that went to 20,000 miles before they seated. Used oil the whole time. I'd wait at least 3,000 miles.

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

 

Read my post on page three (I think) of the oil thread about why I switched. It's a pretty convincing reason. The first thing I noticed after switching (@19,000 miles), was an increase in oil pressure and a drop in engine temp. Go figure.
Take care,
-Chris
*** I just checked, go read my third post on page three of the motor oil survey thread***
------------------
'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


[This message has been edited by PKRWUD (edited 10-06-1999).]

 

I used Quaker State premium synthetic. I thought it was good stuff. I switched to
Valvoline, 10W-30 when it's hot, 5W-30 when it's cold. An ASE master mechanic friend of mine told me as long as you are not running a race car or revving around 6000 rpm that a synthetic is a waste of money. He recommended the Valvoline because it has detergents and other stuff in it that eat up some other stuff that are bad for your engine. I took his word for it, but I haven't noticed any difference in mileage, I don't think you will with any oil. Anyways that's his advice and I listened, I personally don't think a synthetic would provide any gains unless you have a HP really fast car or a crotch rocket....

------------------
97 F-150 XLT 4.6L, Black, S/C, 4x4, ORP, K&N, Flowmaster 40 with dual rear pipes, Chrome Westin nerfs, Omniguard SE bug deflector, Extang snapless tonno, VentVisors, Kenwood CD, Kenwood 6x8's, Kenwood tweeters, Kenwood 300 watt amp, MTX thunderform dual 8's.

 

ran out of oil and seized my engine So just make sure you use some

Im the horror story yu always heard about, but never new anyone that it happened too.

BYe everybody

 

I switch at 25,000 to royal purple. I liked what people had said about it especially my mechanic who uses it in his funny car. I have only filled up on it twice since changing it and have noticed an increase in mileage by 20 miles per tank and the engine runs alot smoother than previously. That was my reason for getting it because I had a rough idle.

------------------
98 F-150 s/c Lariat Sport-Side V8 4.6
Bassani Side exit exaust, K&N FIPK, Snug-Top Hard Lid,600 watt power acoustic amp,8 inch kicker substation, Royal Purple Synthetic

 

I have used both on my 95 GMC Sierra and can't see a big difference in fuel milage or anything eles. I use premium regular motor oil in the summer and synthetic in the winter since it helps lub the engine faster at very cold temperatures (especially up here in norther Alberta, Canada). I do plan on using synthetic motor oil only in my new F150 since I don't have a oil cooler (like on my GMC) and hope that way I can give the engine a little bit more protection in the winter and summer. I plan on switching after the first oil change at 5000km (3000mi). My 2C.
Chris Raith
1999 XL S/C 4x4, 4.6w with Auto, LS3.55, Lt245/75 R 16, Split 40/60, Alloys, AM/FM Cassette, Air, Tilt & Cruise

 

4d Thndr: Exactly how did you know when your rings were seated? You eluded to the oil usage but my engine hasn't used a drop in 700 miles. Well, I don't see a noticeable drop on the dip stick.

If Ford says the break-in period is 1,000 miles wouldn't they consider ring seat as break-in? Just asking!

 

Today I came up with another reason to go to synthetic motor oil. You know how there are some that say "heck, my mechanic said unless you are drving a race car you don't need it."

Well, my 4x4 is as close as I come to a race car and it frequently sees 4,000+rpm. The 5.4 runs good at that RPM and it just down right kicks a$$ to drive!

The extra protection to keep it running that well is worth the extra $ to me.

 

PKRWUD....

How did you notice an increase in oil pressure since the oil guages in these truck are "dummy" guages. They don't show the actual oil pressure in the engine.....it is either on or off......just curious.

 

Doug W.: execelent question. I too got to wondering if I should switch my oil, not to synethic but to 5W30 reg oil. I now am using 10W30 Castrol and there was a big question on the moter oil survey thread if that oil was adequate for our engines. Just after my last oil change, I had an oil sample drawn and analyzed. My results are here under the topic "moter oil". I'm now about ready to change my oil again and will draw a sample "before" the change. Will also post the results. The first sample basicly was taken for a base line. This next sample will be a "telling" one. I now have about 46500 miles on the engine.

------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars