Oil question

[expHendrix47]

Hey i am changing the oil on my truck this weekend, doing it for the first time myself...what is the best kind of oil to get? i have 76,886 miles on the truck, V8,...i was going to get castrol GTX high mileage, but they were out, so what is the best to get other than that?...also while the truck is up on ramps, how will i know all the oil is drained out?..stupid questions but im new at this stuff lol

im also changing the fluid in the transfer case, i bought MERCON type auto tranny valvoline ATF for high mileage tranny's...good?

 

[aldive]

If it were me, I would switch to synthetic; either Amsoil or Mobil 1.

Good luck.....

 

[X~FACTOR]

Regular Castrol GTX 5/30 will do just fine @ $1.49 a bottle. You will need a special funnel to get that oil in the transfer case.

 

[SmokeGrinder]

Mobil 1 100 % synthetic 0W 40 is what my truck is running
146,000 miles

 

[jared ajlouny]

how often do you have to change synthetic??? does it make a difference in gas milage??? if i switch to synthetic oil, do i have to change anyhting else?

 

[aldive]

how often do you have to change synthetic??? does it make a difference in gas milage??? if i switch to synthetic oil, do i have to change anyhting else?

You can run extended intervals with synthetic with no worries. All you need to do is change the oil filter at regulat intervals ( I use 5 k to change filter ) and add another quart of oil.

Yes, it will improve your gas mileage,

 

[expHendrix47]

Someone told me that if i use synthentic on my truck becuase of the miles things will leak, like gaskets and what not becuase the oil is thinnner, and that since it wasnt used before, i shouldnt use it now?...any truth to this, or should i just use it, and use the other stuff next time?

 

[aldive]

Someone told me that if i use synthentic on my truck becuase of the miles things will leak, like gaskets and what not becuase the oil is thinnner, and that since it wasnt used before, i shouldnt use it now?...any truth to this, or should i just use it, and use the other stuff next time?

Some might say that, I have used synthetic in older motors many times with no ill effects.

 

[expHendrix47]

so should i return it and get regular GTX or just put it in...which will perform better

 

[aldive]

I am a definate believer in synthetic oil(s)' I would never use anything else in any motor I own.

 

[jgilbs]

so, ok, this may be a really stupid question, but hey its how u learn. are synthetic oils 100% synthetic? or are they a mix of synthetic components and a small fraction of dino oil? just wonderin.

 

[aldive]

so, ok, this may be a really stupid question, but hey its how u learn. are synthetic oils 100% synthetic? or are they a mix of synthetic components and a small fraction of dino oil? just wonderin.

No question is stupid.

There are blended synthetic oild that only contain a small percentage synthetic and full synthetic oils that are 100% synthetic.

I would use only full synthetic oils.

Hope this hekps.....

 

[MONMIX]

I also change my oil ( Mobil 1 full synth ) every 5,000.
The best part about changing every 5,000 ?
Easy math !!!!!!!!!

 

[spindlecone]

Syns are the only way to go, I use RP

 

[jared ajlouny]

i probobly will swith to synthetic soon, however i change my regular oil every 5k anyways, my dad has been changing his that far apart since he started driving with no problems.

 

[EliteConcept]

fords regular duty schedule in the owners manual states for 5k oil changes and thats with regular oil so i think if you don't tow alot or do alot of serve driving then 5k with synthithic is fine

 

[85Dave]

I've been researching that very question the last few weeks at bobistheoilguy.com. Lots of very knowledgeable folks on that board. The short answer...it depends. It depends on what your objectives are. The primary advantage of synthetic oils is extended oil change intervals.

Numerous used oil analyses show that wear metals are similar between synthetic and convential oils. But synthetics can usually go two to three times longer than convential oils between changes. Fuel mileage increases with synthetics are minimal, if even measurable.

Which oil to use depends on your objectives. Are you trying to minimize costs? Go dino and change every 3-4k miles. Are you trying to minimize the number of oil changes? Go synthetic and have your used oil analyzed to determine how far you can go based on your unique driving patterns.

As far as which brands are best, the consensus at the oil forum for convential oils (in no particular order): Chevron/Havoline (same oil, different bottle), Pennzoil, Castrol GTX, and Motorcraft.

Synthetic oils: Mobil 1. Not all synthetics are created equal. Base oils are defined by their properties, and classified as Group I, II, III, IV, or V. Group I is the worst, Group V the best. Mobil 1 is a Group IV oil. All the other over-the-counter synthetics are Group III (Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil, Quacker State, etc.) The only oils containing Group V are specialty oils such as Amsoil, Red Line, Royal Purple, etc.

The high mileage oils usually have a very good additive package, which helps reduce wear. They also usually have a seal-swell additive to help reduce oil leaks. They cost more than convential oils though, and don't last any longer than convential oils. Castrol GTX HM and Pennzoil HM are two of the better brands.

 

[PotHoleExpress]

I have alway sused Pennzoil 5W-30 and the Motorcraft filter. If you use synthetic, I’d recommend using a synthetic fiber filter so be ready to spend $10-15 just for the filter. The reason: synthetic oils hold combustion by-products, wear by-products and other contaminants in suspension better than convention oil, thus putting a bigger strain on your filtering medium. I change my O&F every 2,500 miles. For a Mobil 1/synthetic filter change it costs me $29.95 every 5,000 miles. I can change it every 2500 miles with conventional oil/paper filter for $11.43 (thank you WalMart) and get clean oil more frequently. The Motorcraft filter is made by ArvinMeritor. It’s basically the Purolator PureOne filter. Yes, ArvinMeritor makes Purolator filters. Pleat density is very high. After 102,000 miles, no problems. I’m just relating what I do. After some considerable research, and considering the benefits and the costs involved, I chose to go w/ conventional oil/filter and frequent changes. If you want to go synthetic, that’s cool too.

 

[PotHoleExpress]

For anyone interested, I am told Conoco makes Motorcraft oil.

My research tells me that you should not be using extended drain intervals without a supplemental by-pass filtration system installed. Amsoil makes one. Big rigs use them. But then "if the wheels ain't turnin, it ain't earnin" is not something that applies to my daily driver. Even Amsoil says to change their $15 fully synthetic fiber filter/$6.00 qt. synthetic oil every 12,000 miles or 12 months. Its curtains if you're using an extended drain interval and paper filter. Read the Mobil 1 site carefully. They explicity state that they do not endorse extended drain intervals.

Man, that by-pass valve opens on your store-bought filter and you're in a world of hurt.... Go dino, change often. That's what your Dad tought you.

 

[aldive]

My research tells me that you should not be using extended drain intervals without a supplemental by-pass filtration system installed.

Are you saying that I cannot go 20k miles using Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 Motor Oil with K & N filter changes without using a by pass filter system?