Synthetic Oil and Gas Grade Recommendations

[Shpritz]

Hi;

I am a Newbie to the site. I just purchased a beautiful 2003 Explorer Limited (4.6 V8) with only 28000 KMs (17,500 miles) on it. I also live in a part of Canada that gets extremely cold in the Winter time. I would like to know how you all feel about using Synthetic oil (Mobil One). Recommendations???

I would also like to know if there is any long term benefits to the engine if I use a better grade of fuel instead of just regular?

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[snocross1985]

I would deffinitely go with synthetics throughout. Mobil 1 will work great.

 

[aldive]

Definitely go with synthetic motor oil, 5w30. Also it would be prudent to swap out the tranny and diff fluids with synthetic also.

Useing higher grad gas than recommended is just a waste of your money.

Good luck ...

 

[Shpritz]

Where would you suggest I get the tranny and diff fluids changed? Can it be done at same time at a place like Jiffy Lube?? What Synthetic Brand do you recommend for the tranny and diff?

 

[aldive]

Where would you suggest I get the tranny and diff fluids changed? Can it be done at same time at a place like Jiffy Lube?? What Synthetic Brand do you recommend for the tranny and diff?

I would recommend doing it yourself.

I perdonally use Amsoil oil, diff oil and ATF in mine.

 

[prerunner02]

well i have a 2002 with the 4.6 and if i use regular gas i get around 14mpg average and around 18 on the freeway. for premium i get 18 mpg average and get around 24 mpg on trips. so for my money 18 mpg per tank is around 396 miles and 24 mpg is 528 imles per tank and for 20cents a gallon more premium saves me money. as well as if gas burns hotter and more completely then the engine internals will stay cleaner as well.

 

[snocross1985]

Higher octane rating does not burn hotter or more completly. Octane rating is gasoline's resistance to knocking.

 

[Old As Dirt]

True - it is actually less volatile and that is what causes it to resist explosion before the piston reaches TDC. Those differences in mileage are impressive. Has anyone else had results like this?

 

[grumpy]

The owner's manual for my 2002 says not to use gas with an octane higher than 87. That it could cause poor performance.

 

[prerunner02]

by the way the 4.6 requires 5w20

 

[cyoung2203]

For your info, in Australia you just cant buy 5w 20 oils. Best we can get readily is 10w 30. This was recomended by Ford locally and that is what they use in the vehicles. I went with a fully synthetic.

Cheers

Craig

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thinner grades of oil are recommended in colder climates. The engine will appear a little noisier than usual as you go down to the very low grades (Mobile 1 synthetic 0-30). I think the thinner oils should make a small difference in gas mileage, since they aren't churning a thick oil causing resistance.