What oil do you use?

[98 5oh XLT]

Valvoline 10-30 Synth Max Life, K&N filters

 

[LMedina]

Been using Mobil 0w-30 ever since it hit the market. No problems. Expensive now at over $7 a quart. Change out filter 2x a year and oil change 1x year, usually at 12,000 miles.

Previously it was Mobil 5w-30 since new (2000). Had to do some engine work on it some years later and the Ford dealership commented how little varnish and sludge had accumulated on the insides.

 

[bradsx]

how do you change the oil filter?? since you change the oil only once a year? or do you mean air filter change 2x a year......just wondering how??

 

[fifthranger]

how do you change the oil filter

He probably is very careful removing the oil filter, and whatever oil escapes before he gets the new one on, is added.

 

[derek_redneck91]

5W30 is WAY too thin. The stuff runs out like effin water! I use Castrol 10W30. Even then it is still THIN when you run the engine hot. If you can afford it go with Synthetic oil. My old explorer was still runing strong at 375 000km. Thanks to synthetic oil. Only problem is oil here costs me $60 for synthetic vs $30 for regular. Also, once you go synthetic, you CAN NOT go back to regular oil. IMO synthetic oil does help your engine run smoother and last longer. There have been many tests that prove synthetic oil is better than normal oil. Also you can go 10-15000km between oil changes. Some friends of mine use tractor oil 15W40. That stuff works just as good as synthetic because it is so thick. That and you can buy it in bulk = cheaper!

 

[swshawaii]

Also, once you go synthetic, you CAN NOT go back to regular oil.

Two of many Synthetic vs. Conventional FAQ's:

www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/4213451
www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/full-synthetic-motor-oil/

 

[celly]

5W30 is WAY too thin. The stuff runs out like effin water! I use Castrol 10W30.

You do realize that they're both 30 weight oils, which means they're identical in viscosity at operating temperatures, right? All the 5 means is that it's thinner than 10 at very cold temps. I love it when people tell me that the 0w20 is too thin, but then they'll use 5w20 instead. All it means is that when it gets friggin cold here in Alberta, my truck starts sooner. Too many people don't understand how oil rating works.

Also, once you go synthetic, you CAN NOT go back to regular oil.

Says who? You can even mix synth and dino oil if that's what you want to do. Even Amsoil says you can but they don't recommend it because then you're sort of defeating the purpose of using their oil in the first place.

Q: If someone switches to synthetic can they switch back to conventional oil?
A: Yes, they can, but why would anyone want to?

 

[swshawaii]

Ditto Celly. FYI (derek), the 5W-30 designates Winter, not Weight.

 

[celly]

Ditto. FYI, the 5W-30 designates Winter, not Weight.

Precisely. It just means it will start flowing much sooner at very cold temps. A former EF member (Aldive, RIP) used 0W30 for years in his truck. He lived in Florida. He never needed the "0" part of the equation. It does not hurt anyone to use a 0WXX oil in any climate. It's the second number that is most relevant to overall performance of the oil in your engine.

0w30 is 5w30 is 10w30 for the most part. It's all 30 weight.

 

[Willcall]

I use Mobil 1 Full Synth. 5W30 EP and the K&N filter. Change every 7500 miles.

 

[SoNic67]

That is the same oil I use in my VW Diesel. I have been using Rotella T since I bought it with 86K and I now have 240k Miles on it. I change it at 10K mile intervals. How long do you go between changes?
By the way they did tests on it and found even after 10K miles the oil hadn't broken down at all and could have gone 30K miles. I still only go 10K.

I am keeping it 10k miles with K&N, Bosch DistancePlus or Mobile1 filters. My Explorer also tells me if/when the change is necessary.
I have low oil pressure at idle (hot engine) with 30 weight oil, the 40 is perfect.
5W in front (5W40) is good for cold starts, especially in the winter. If I would find 0W40 cheap, I would go with that.

 

[derek_redneck91]

Thanks for the clarification on switching in between synthetic and conventional. I had always been told you can't! Also thanks for the oil lesson. People around where I live dont explain things very well and I had never really learned anything about oil.

 

[celly]

Thanks for the clarification on switching in between synthetic and conventional. I had always been told you can't! Also thanks for the oil lesson. People around where I live dont explain things very well and I had never really learned anything about oil.

I'm with Amsoil....why switch back? The "thick vs thin" debate is an old one with any people on the wrong side of understanding what oil ratings mean.

Ya learn a new thing every day, right?

 

[biggon71]

I only use mobile one changed every 9000-10000 miles

 

[derek_redneck91]

I'm with Amsoil....why switch back? The "thick vs thin" debate is an old one with any people on the wrong side of understanding what oil ratings mean.

Ya learn a new thing every day, right?

Pretty much. I just like thicker oil, coats internals of the engine better am i right?

 

[swshawaii]

Mostly good reading, more info than you can imagine.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

 

[66427]

You do realize that they're both 30 weight oils, which means they're identical in viscosity at operating temperatures, right?

And 0W will get to operating temp viscosity quicker than 5W.

0W-20 Mobil 1...In Tennessee...in the summer where I have seen 107

And Vermont int winter where I have seen -35 (with the Explorer)