semi synthetic or full synthetic

[adam exp]

i have a 97 explorer from uk and the book says semi sinthetic engine oil but i have heard full sinthetic may help my chain rattle. would this effect my engine using full sin ?

 

[Carguy3J]

Just use full-synthetic. The semi-synthetic delivers very little of the synth benefit, in exchange for a good portion of it's price. I like either Mobil 1 or Quaker State Q. I'm sure that Amsoil and Royal Purple are good too, but I think they are too expensive.

As counter-intuitive as it may sound, the best way to lessen the chain rattle at startup is too make sure you are using the lightest oil that is safe. Ford recommends 5w-30. When I first got my Explorer, I used 10w30, and I had a little rattle. When I switched to the 5w30, it went away. The "thinner" oil flows quicker at startup, lubing the chains/guides/etc.. sooner. You might even be able to use a 0w30 or 0w20, assuming your engine is otherwise healthy, and your not towing or driving in a very hot climate (90deg F +).

The other benefit to synthetic is the extended oil change interval. This helps offset the cost. With Mobil 1 or other quality synthetics, you should be able to go to a 7,500 mile change interval, or more (Sorry, don't have that kilometers). Just be sure to use a good quality filter.

 

[adam exp]

thanks for your help as the dummy at the shop said i have to have semi cos the book says so and that was his answer .so i will now go and get full sin.
thanks again

 

[celly]

Use baby oil or Crisco.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but these dino vs semi-synth vs full synth arguments get heated, is always tied to emotion and opinion and rarely have any real science behind the debate. People will always recommend what they use. Use what works best for you and not what anyone else tells you to do.

 

[94 explorer xlt]

Use baby oil or Crisco.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but these dino vs semi-synth vs full synth arguments get heated, is always tied to emotion and opinion and rarely have any real science behind the debate. People will always recommend what they use. Use what works best for you and not what anyone else tells you to do.

 

[beach]

I switched to Mobil 1 at about 113K miles on my 5.0, I can tell you I noticed a difference. Engine seems to rev easier and smoother and just seems to drive better the the normal oil, used a Mobil 1 filter as well. Plus there is gas mileage difference, driving back and forth to the office I get on average 2 mpg better highway.

 

[Carguy3J]

I don't recall noticing a difference in mpg w/ the Explorer, but I might not have really been looking.

I do remember a noticeable improvement (about 2-3mpg), when I switched from conventional to full synthetic on a '95ish 4cyl Cavalier I had a while back. Of course, I think I also switched from 10w30 to 5w30 at the same time, so I can't say whether it was the synthetic, or lower viscosity. Probably a bit of both. Regardless, the extended change interval makes up fo the cost anyway, even if there weren't any other benefits.

I also saw a slight improvement in mpg in a '93 Bonneville 3.8L-V6. The improvement was about 1-1.5mpg, observed, both before and after, over the cousre of multiple tanks of fuel (more then 5).


As for Celly's comments, I can't speak for other's, but I don't "recommend it because it's what I use". I use, and recommend it, based on research, experiences of select credible people, and my own personal experience and OBSERVATIONS. I don't claim to be an expert, but I have read semi-technical explanantions of how oil works, and why synthetic is better,etc... No, honestly, I can't quote you anything now, off the top of my head. What I do remember, is that I decided a while ago that the available credible information led to the conclusion that synthetic is the way to go, almost all the time. Unless I really, really need to pinch pennies, conventional oil isn't even "on my radar" anymore. The synthetic stuff exists for a reason. Plenty of qualified people have done all the chemical comparisons,etc... Synthetic does what it says it does. It IS better then conventional oil. It DOES last longer and it DOES lubricate better. There really isn't much more to say on that. It is what it is. The only question is whether or not lower quality materials (conventional oil) are acceptable "enough" for the task at hand or not. Now, I guess that's where personal opinion comes in.

 

[masospaghetti]

I'd recommend the Motorcraft semi-synthetic oil - its what Ford recommends, its semi-syn, and its cheap ($2.89 a quart).

I didn't notice any (tangible) difference when switching from full synthetic to semi synthetic.

 

[lycan91]

I'd recommend the Motorcraft semi-synthetic oil - its what Ford recommends, its semi-syn, and its cheap ($2.89 a quart).

I didn't notice any (tangible) difference when switching from full synthetic to semi synthetic.

Thats what I've been using in my 96 and have been thinking about switching to full but am unsure if I really want to or not, but then again I want to swap out all my fluids gear and tranny to full syn.