Thinking about changing to synthetic oil(4L 130,000). Is one brand really better than another?, or all about equal. Also, how is synthetic better than reg oil? Can you go longer between changes? etc. anyway, any info will be appreciated.

well, theres a lot of theories on this topic. some people think you can go longer with synthetic oil than regular oil; i dont. however, you will see longer engine life with the switch to synthetic. some people claim more horsepower and better gas mileage; i think these people ate a bad batch of shrooms. as far as, if one brand is better than another, well, thats your preference really, i mean, personally, i use mobil one. some people like the exotic stuff like amsoil, for example. no matter which you pick, youll be better off with a synthetic than any dino oil. heres one way to pick: what do you usually use for oil?...just use the synthetic that the same company makes; most companies make synthetic oil as well as dino oil.

just so you know, theres also synthetic stuff for trannies and diffs, too. though, after 130k, dont bother switching to synthetic tranny fluid, since your clutches have already absorbed the regular stuff thats been in there for 130k, and you might even see some tranny slippage with synthetic at this point. also, the diffs, IMO, are also a waste, but, as youll see, some people have differing opinions.

Your engine will probably start leaking oil if it isn't already. I have 127k on my '95 and there's a small leak. I'm currently using Valvoline Maxlife.

I have used synthetic oil in ever vehicle ( car and boat ) thast I have owned for years.

I have NEVER had any leak.

I can say nothing but good things about it. I use Mobile 1 in the motor and Mobil 1 in the auto transmission as well as the rear end.

Good luck.....

Originally posted by Kontrol-Trak
Your engine will probably start leaking oil if it isn't already. I have 127k on my '95 and there's a small leak. I'm currently using Valvoline Maxlife.

well, synthetic oil is a little thinner than dino oil, and sometimes people with high mileage will get a small leak if theyve used dino oil for the life of the vehicle up to the point of the switch, but, this is the exception more than the rule, i think.

The only downside to switching to synthetics are that sometimes, a high mileage engine will develop a slight leak. Syns burn much cleaner and more efficiently than dino oil, and old looseness in an engine that the dino oil simply gummed up will let the syn through. This may or may not happen. As just mentioned, it usually doesn't, however. If the engine has always been running syn it is not an issue and will not cause leaks at high mileage.

Syns are slicker, more efficient, and run cooler than dino oil. You run cooler because there is less friction which is also why you get better efficiency with them. You do get better mileage using synthetics. You can go longer between changes - much longer - than you think. Both issues have already been tested and proven on this board long ago. I suggest that anyone who wants to offer their unsubstantiated opinions on this thread take the trouble to read at least the following two threads before making further comments.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=11225

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=18392

That should provide a good start. Try using our search engine to learn all you want to about oil, what filters not to use, etc etc etc. It's all here.

Hope that helps.

Originally posted by black crowe
Thinking about changing to synthetic oil(4L 130,000). Is one brand really better than another?, or all about equal. Also, how is synthetic better than reg oil? Can you go longer between changes? etc. anyway, any info will be appreciated.

Everyone will have a favorite synthetic oil is but its only a matter of opinion. Pick one that you can get easily and cheaply and stick with it. Mobil1 is a little over $4 a qt and you can get it at Wal-Mart. It's going to be hard to beat that deal. I change the filter every 3,000 miles and the oil and filter every 6,000 miles, even though I could probably go longer. Oh yeah, I just switched to synthetic on my Mustang at 120,000 miles and I don't have any leaks. If you don't have any leaks already, you should be fine.

Originally posted by GJarrett
The only downside to switching to synthetics are that sometimes, a high mileage engine will develop a slight leak. Syns burn much cleaner and more efficiently than dino oil, and old looseness in an engine that the dino oil simply gummed up will let the syn through. This may or may not happen. As just mentioned, it usually doesn't, however. If the engine has always been running syn it is not an issue and not leaks will occur in high mileage.

You do get better mileage using synthetics. You can go longer between changes - much longer - than you think. Both issues have already been tested and proven on this board long ago. I suggest that anyone who wants to offer their unsubstantiated opinions on this thread take the trouble to read at least the following two threads before making further comments.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=11225

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=18392

That should provide a good start. Try using our search engine to learn all you want to about oil, what filters not to use, etc etc etc. It's all here.

Hope that helps.

gerald, i know the gist of what those other threads say, but i really dont have time to sit here and read pages and pages of argument over something that, quite frankly, just isnt the biggest deal in the world; ive flipped through them before, a while ago, but i still change my oil and filter every 3k and i dont think i get any better gas mileage and im sure i get no more power, but thats just my opinion, which is what this thread asked to begin with. unsubstantiated or not, thats what i think, which is why its my opinion. but its also a good thing that you posted those links, so black crowe can read it all and make up his own mind. i, for one, wouldnt be offended in the least if he decided to use castrol syntec (or something else) and changed his oil every 20k, but im not changing my routine.

Tbomb, that's fine, but you said those such as I "ate a bad batch of shrooms" :D so I thought I would let people know that there is substantiated, tested proof available here to learn about their question and they don't need to rely on opinion. Everything else you posted was basically correct, but you do get better mileage. Do your own test if you can stay consistent enough. I have the instantaneous and avg mpg computer in my 99 EB and directly tested it by taking a round trip of 100 miles with dino oil before I changed to syn. Round trip was to correct for windage, etc and I used cruise control at the same speed. Immediate change the same day and same round trip on Mobil 1 made a 1 mpg increase. Try it yourself.

I mentioned in those links that no one has to change their habits, but here are the facts and they can learn from or ignore them if they want to. You certainly don't have to take the trouble to read through them and you don't have to learn from them unless you want to take the time. Like you said, it's a minor deal for many people. My point is that the real info is available if he wants to take the time to learn it, or he can ignore it and depend on opinions.

Many are uncomfortable with the info simply because they have done it the same way for decades. There's no reason to make anyone nervous and each should make his own decision. For example I personally am still uncomfortable thinking I got over 15,000 miles out of my oil and change it a little sooner, even though I know it's ok to take it that far.

Originally posted by GJarrett
Tbomb, that's fine, but you said those such as I "ate a bad batch of shrooms" :D

oh, yah, sorry, just messin' 'round :confused: but after you hear some peoples claims of power gains, that they can feel in the SOTP, you get a little cynical, or at least i do :p

GREAT info guys! Im still trying to soak it all in. Aparently this has been discused in the past(didnt mean to start brawl!). The leak thing has got me a tad worried but the motor seems real tight so i hopefull i wont have any problems. thanks again

i have 102k on mine...when i first switched to syn a few months ago (mobil 1 10-30) i THOUGHT it was leaking....but it hasnt burned any oil or needed anymore put in for over a month.....

well, if you do get a leak...well...i wonder if you switch back to regular oil, will the leak disappear? hrmm, interesting; anyone know the answer to that, so black crowe has a fall back plan?


and dont worry, no brawl around here ;)

I recently switched over to Mobil 1 synthetic after running exclusively Quakerstate for the first 80K miles. I am still planning on going with my regular schedule of 3K-5K changes since I don't want to give Warranty Gold any more reason than necessary to void my warranty. I will still follow Ford's recomended intervals. That said, I developed no leaks from the change. I also did not see any change in my mileage. I typically go about 260 miles between fillups. That puts my guage about 1/8 of a tank and amounts to about 18 MPG. After the switch, my mileage has not changed one bit, I still get right at 18 MPG for my daily commute. I also do not feel any added power benefits. The benefit I believe I am getting is better protection for those occassional times where I do let my oil go to 5K before I get to changing it.

And check Walmart if interested in Mobil 1, the one where I live intermittently has 5 qt. jugs for 17 bucks. Thats a great price, when I see them I usually buy a few.
CJ

Originally posted by Chris Jella'
And check Walmart if interested in Mobil 1, the one where I live intermittently has 5 qt. jugs for 17 bucks. Thats a great price, when I see them I usually buy a few.
CJ

yeah, thats what i usually do, its pretty cheap, but the last time i went, they had every flavor except 5w-30, so i ended up paying $52 for 2 cases, as opposed to $34 for 2 jugs (i usually get enough oil for 2 changes.)

Are those K&N filters the best or will fram work fine? I have used Fram for my last 2 oil changes and was wondering what else was on the market

For over the counter oil filters, your best bets are the Mobil 1 or Purolator Pure One. Both filter extremely well and hold more junk in the filter.

When you switch to AMSOIL, use their SDF filters.

Puralator is a good one, that's what I use, well, that's what was recomended by my moms husband and he's a mechanic and his trucks all have over 200 miles and still going strong so I'll trust him.

Originally posted by espnfreak
Are those K&N filters the best or will fram work fine? I have used Fram for my last 2 oil changes and was wondering what else was on the market
I've heard some bad things about Fram filters before.

Originally posted by rustytr
he's a mechanic and his trucks all have over 200 miles

Whoa :eek: 200 miles?! How did he manage to do that? :D j/k

I have used Mobil 1 10-30W in my 93 EB since it was practically new. Changed over to Mobil 1 at 8K as I tow small travel trailers usually 5-8 hours one way in the summer from Central Texas to the Texas coast. I figured I needed all the heat protection I could get as outside tempertures range from 100-112 degrees. I understand, too, new Corvettes come with Mobil 1 as their "factory fill". Mike

my 2 cents,
The reason why switching to synthetics on a high mileage vehicle could cause leakage is that with it's aggressive detergents. It could dislodge scum left behind from that of regular oil that over age keeps the oil in.
Synthetics aren’t really thinner per say, a regular 5W/30 is the same as a Synthetic 5W/30. (25 cents is 25 cents whether a quarter or 25 pennies) Synthetics don't thicken as much at EXTREME colder temperatures and can handle higher temps.

BTW, if you look at the tech pubs on all the pubs, they are all pretty much that same, although some of the 0W30's and 5W30's have a higher breakdown temp.

FWIW, I use Mobil 1 0W30 all year

Kurt

Originally posted by rustytr
Puralator is a good one, that's what I use, well, that's what was recomended by my moms husband and he's a mechanic and his trucks all have over 200 miles and still going strong so I'll trust him.

Heres a tip for you. The Purolator1 and the Motorcraft are the exact same filter. $3 vs $5.

Yeeeah...

My X didnt leak when i bought it from a private seller, then after i got the oil changed and switched it to synthetic oild at 70k miles, it started to leak....maybe thats why it leaks :p

That answers a question i guess...

I don't think a puraltor and Motorcraft are the same. A motorcraft has a special trap filter inside. You need to ask for the details about it because it is really way too much for me to explain but I have lots of friends at Ford and they hate fords but they still say go with the Motorcraft.

http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

Regarding the Motorcraft filter...
This is an interesting filter. Basically, it is a Purolator Pure One filter cartridge in a Purolator Premium Plus case. Don't be fooled by the differently shaped holes cut into the oil inlet. This is the only difference. This is a good filter design and if you want to get a Purolator Pure One filter, get this one instead: it is cheaper