Full Synthetic Oil

[Mbrooks420]

If you are concerned with the best setup, consider any quality full synthetic paired with a bypass filter setup.

 

[ROBinGa]

Techguru nailed it. Motorcraft for both

 

[UtahX]

Big fan of Mobil 1 and Motorcraft oil filter.

 

[MyExplorer03v8Lim]

Just use the factory recommended blend.

and of course a Motorcraft filter.

The only filter other than Motorcraft I would consider using is WIX.

Thanks TechGuru. What do you recommend for an interval on the Motorcraft blend? Lately I've been doing probably too many oil changes but I figure fresh oil is never a bad thing. The most I EVER go between changes is 3K. The vehicle has 161k, the engine has ~100k.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I wouldn't bother with a blend. For the small increase in price, I'd go full synthetic.

 

[swshawaii]

The most I EVER go between changes is 3K.

Ford's maximum oil change interval is 5000 miles, or 6 months, whichever comes first. Regardless if it's conventional, semi synthetic, or full synthetic, as long as it's API certified oil and a quality filter, 5000 mile changes are adequate for "normal" service vehicles. If you spend a lot of time idling and moving the odometer slowly, or do heavy towing, the 3000 mile "severe duty" interval comes into play. Most, if not all oil contaminants are from anything getting past the AIR FILTER. Oil companies recommend 3000 mile changes to sell more oil. If you follow the tweaks at the "Bob Is The Oil Guy" (BITOG) forum,15,000+ mile oil change intervals are quite common based on used oil analysis (UOA) tests done by Blackstone Labs, etc.

 

[TechGuru]

Thanks TechGuru. What do you recommend for an interval on the Motorcraft blend? Lately I've been doing probably too many oil changes but I figure fresh oil is never a bad thing. The most I EVER go between changes is 3K. The vehicle has 161k, the engine has ~100k.

Service "Book" says 5000 miles normal service / 3000 miles severe service.

I use conventional regular Castrol GTX and change every 3000 at 180K+. I like to change more often with higher mileage engines because as time goes on more crap gets past the rings into the oil.

 

[TechGuru]

Most, if not all oil contaminants are from anything getting past the AIR FILTER.

Yes, please use Motorcraft air filters.

 

[UtahX]

Let's not forget that FS is great for starts, and temps. Also, FS in the trans, for temps.

 

[TechGuru]

Also, FS in the trans, for temps.

The factory transmission fluid (Mercon V) is already full synthetic.

 

[UtahX]

The factory transmission fluid (Mercon V) is already full synthetic.

Back in 2000?

 

[TechGuru]

Back in 2000?

You're in the wrong section for 2000.

2002+ Yes, they came with Mercon V.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Mercon V was used back as far as 1998 at least.

 

[Joe in NY]

Mercon V isn't full synthetic. It's a blend. Just like ford uses semi blend engine oil.

 

[swshawaii]

Synthetic Blend MERCON® V Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid

 

[IPcamper]

I will stay with the Mobil 1 for my vehicles. I have a 2003 Explorer XLT with the V8. I purchased it new and have done every oil change with Mobil 1 at 8,000 miles, and used a Motorcraft oil filter. Last fall, at 206,000 miles, the engine started sounding like there was some timing chain issues. So I replaced the timing components on the engine. The inside of the timing cover was very clean for that 13 years and 206K miles. I am going to stick with the synthetic oil.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

If you are concerned with the best setup, consider any quality full synthetic paired with a bypass filter setup.

I agree. Or change the oil twice as often as 'normal'.


I change the oil once a year in mine regardless of miles driven using amsoil 0w-30 and ea filter, because:

1.) I'm cheap
2.) I'm lazy
3.) It's good enough for me

I don't think the motor has burned a quart of oil since I've owned it.

If I had a new motor id be using a bypass with a pre-oiler. For a factory motor with over 100,000 miles, whatever synthetic is on sale (i'm partial to mobil 1 when theres no amsoil around) and whatever filter has a good anti-drainback valve (amsoil, mobil 1, bosch, motorcraft) and change it once(amsoil) or twice (mobil 1) a year.

You could also change the filter and top off between changes. Some people see factory style oil filters more as an inspection tool than something that effectively keeps the oil clean.

Id stay away from "high mileage" oils and look at getting the one with the longest recommended drain interval. My old Amsoil SSO says 35,000 or one year. Newer signature series is 25,000 miles. Mobil 1 annual is a 20,000 mile. These ones are most expensive because they contain the most additives (anti wear, anti corrosion, etc.)

 

[TechGuru]

I change mine every 3000 miles.



Perfectly clean.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

If you were to go 25,000 miles in a year, you'd do 8 oil changes @ 3,000 miles intervals and at $16 per 5 quarts spend $128 just on oil. Another 8 wix filters at $10 bucks a pop would make the total $208 per years.

5 quarts of Amsoil signature for $55 plus a Ea filter $15 comes out to $70 per year.

Motor will be just as clean either way. Quality vs Quantity. Your paying $3.20 per quart for the GTX and $11 quart on the Amsoil. You get what you pay for. Which one would have a better AW package for dry starts, better cold flow properties, and can withstand higher temps without breaking down. 'Dirty' top dollar oil vs fresh 'bargain' oil.

PITA job having to recycle 40 quarts per year compared to just 5. Cleaning supplies cost money. Have better things to do than getting dirty changing oil.

Man, there wasn't all the marketing they have now on the bottles even 10 years ago.

 

[TechGuru]

As the rings and cylinder walls wear more crap gets past them into the oil and the oil and filter can only absorb so much crap.

I'd never run the same oil for a year on a 100K+ mile engine.

Between the Castrol GTX and Motorcraft filter oil changes cost me $20. Every 3 month/3K = $80/yr