Synthetic or not?

[PLRBEAR]

Hi there, i'm new to the site and the vehicle. I have a 95 Explorer 4x4 with 120,000 miles on it. Would it be okay to switch to synthetics for all the fluids? Will there be any ill-effects on the vehicle switching this late?

Thank you.

Amos

 

[01EB5.0]

I would say go for it.

 

[JDraper]

the only drawback to going to synthetic engine oil with a hi mileage engine is that you won't really benefit from the synthetic properties much. Synthetic oil doesn't have viscosity breakdown like conventional oils, so it protects an engine from wearing better than conventional oil. Since your engine already has hi mileage on it, you may not get any benefit from going to synth. It won't hurt your motor though.

 

[IAMCDN]

I have heard of some people switching to synthetics in their engine and burning alot more oil, although some have had good luck. I too have a high mileage engine, and will not switch to synthetics in the engine. I am however switching to synthetics for tranny, diff's and transfer case.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by PLRBEAR
Hi there, i'm new to the site and the vehicle. I have a 95 Explorer 4x4 with 120,000 miles on it. Would it be okay to switch to synthetics for all the fluids? Will there be any ill-effects on the vehicle switching this late?

Thank you.

Amos

I ran synthetic motor oil ( Mobil 1 ) for over 350,000 miles in a Nissan 4 banger with NO problems. My Explorer has all synthetic fluids and no problems.

You should like it...

 

[IAMCDN]

By the way, since I see you are a fellow Canadian, it would be a good idea to switch to synthetics in the diff's. The dino gear oil is like mollasses when it is cold. You will definately notice a difference when it is cold, will not be as stiff for that first little while, and your winter mileage will impove.

 

[PLRBEAR]

Thanks guys. I think i'll go for it. BTW, BlueOval, any estimates on the cost of replacing the fluid in the diff.?
One more thing. I have this knocking noise coming from the driver's side near the dash area. It occurs when i come to a halt, or when i'm moving off. It sometimes sounds more like creaking. I've gone over hump a little on the quick side, and notice that the front suspension creaks really loud upon compression. The vehicle tracks straight, i've got no alignment problems. Any ideas?
I'm posting this here 'cause i don't want to clog up the forum. Please help if you can. Other than this little snag, the vehicle is excellent!

 

[Stephen]

Run a search, there was a huge thread that included an experiment by one member about this subject.

 

[IAMCDN]

PLRBEAR,

I just checked it out at last weekend, haven't had time to do it yet. About $10-11 for a pint of Castrol synthetic gear oil, from what I can gather, it needs about 2.5 back and something like 2.1 front(check owners manual for exact requirements). So about 50-60 bucks. I would say definately worth it for us Canucks.

My brother in law has a 4x4 truck and switched to synthetics in the diffs and noticed a HUGE difference. He did it when it was about -25C outside. You leave it outside overnight and it doesn't feel sluggish for the first little while, like with the old gear oil in. I would suspect the mileage increase would be substantial. Synthetic ATF would help too, but mine was changed just before I bought it about 3 months ago, so I will leave that in til winter.


Good luck.