When is the right time to switch to synthetic oil???

[scorer75]

Hi guys.

I just got my wife's Explorer this week and plan on switching to synthetic oil. I have heard it's best to wait until about 15k miles before switching over to synthetic in order to allow everything in the motor to "seat" correctly.

Is this true or false or is there anything else I should take into consideration before doing this?

Thanks in advance to all those that reply.

 

[MrShorty]

The shop who installed my rebuilt engine claimed 20-30K miles before going to synthetics. Don't know why, or even if it's really that critical, but that's what I've been told.

 

[Nicaraguense]

DO IT NOW

DO IT NOW. Put Amsoil Synthetic When you do that, 10k acual miles = 1k wear miles (in other words you use Amsoil and you will get close to 1 million miles out of your truck) The whole break in period thing is a load of ^%*(&^. You have to ask your self ¿Do you want a brand new vehicle? or ¿Do you want a vehicle with 20-30k? Granted, because if the total IDIOTS that owned mine before I am stuck with one with 60k wear miles. But, when I rebuild it in Oh say 2020. I will put synthetic in it from the rebuild and get 1million+ miles. Let me put it to you like this, every mile with conventional motor oil you drive, is that much more wear on your engine and it's vital parts. If you buy a rebuilt engine from AutoZone and you get the ReconII it comes to you already filled with Mobil 1 synthetic. ¿Does that make it clear now? Use Amsoil and do it now!!!!!

 

[aldive]

I have always switched at 10k with narry a problem.

 

[Majisto]

Well, a lot of new engines come with factory synthetic, so I'm sure it's ok to put it in brand new.

The 4V Cobra motor comes with Mobil 1 from the factory I am pretty certain. Breaking the engine in properly is important, but not the type of oil. The only problem is switching to synethtic in a HIGH mileage engine since the detergents can wash away the varnish in your valves and cause blow-by.

 

[Nicaraguense]

Define High milage

Define High milage. I define it at 150k+ These Engines today just burn too clean to say that 50 or 75k is high mileage.

 

[scorer75]

Great replies, keep them coming.

I'm thinking of switching at 2,500 miles. I've always changed the oil on new cars at 2,500 anyways.

 

[Majisto]

Re: Define High milage

Originally posted by Nicaraguense
Define High milage. I define it at 150k+ These Engines today just burn too clean to say that 50 or 75k is high mileage.

Over 100K to me. I am at 109K and am wary about synthetic, but I may goto a blend.

 

[Doug]

I'd say high mileage is 100k plus. I've heard people say not to use synthetic in higher mileage engines due to you basically need less oil to coat everything properly so there is less oil on the cylinder walls and such thus possibly allowing blow by. Also the synthetic oil molecules are smaller so it's possible you might get oil leaks where you otherwise didnt have one. I started running synthetic in my truck @ ~120k miles and so far everything has been good.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

In my opinion, follow your manufacturer's directions on changing the oil for the first time. I'm saying this is because Honda uses a special additive in their engines when it comes fresh out of the factory that is suppose to help breaking the engine in and if you don't follow their directions, the engine will not break-in properly and will shorten the engine's life. They recommended that the first oil change should be 7,500 miles then 3,000 miles after that or how ever long you want if it's synthetic.

So...I would recommend that you should switch to synthetic after 10k miles.

 

[scorer75]

Originally posted by '96explorereddiebauer
In my opinion, follow your manufacturer's directions on changing the oil for the first time. I'm saying this is because Honda uses a special additive in their engines when it comes fresh out of the factory that is suppose to help breaking the engine in and if you don't follow their directions, the engine will not break-in properly and will shorten the engine's life. They recommended that the first oil change should be 7,500 miles then 3,000 miles after that or how ever long you want if it's synthetic.

So...I would recommend that you should switch to synthetic after 10k miles.

This sounds like good information. Does anybody know if Ford adds anything into the oil?

Also, another person told me to do the first oil change at 1,500 because there will be "shavings" that get into the oil while the motor is breaking in.

Can anybody confirm or deny this?

 

[chris c]

can you define "high mileage"

i don't think it is that easy and straight cut. there are so many variables in the operation of an engine [both mechanically with in the vehicle and owner operation wise] to say 100k is high mileage.

when one first looks at mileage they try to draw a direct correlation wear and you can't do that. the operating conditions and the way the owner operates and maintains the vehicle are can have a huge effect.

*is engine brought up to operating temperature prior to any load being put on it
*is engine brought up to operating temperature prior to being shut down
*is engine used in extreme driving conditions
*what type of maintenance has been preformed on the engine

i mean the worst thing you can do to an engine is run it hard when it is not up to temperature

yeah, i know this is all common sense... but one can have an engine with high mileage that internally is much more in spec than a lower mileage example may be...

engine break in... synth vs mineral oil... is there really difference? like the fuel issue it is so hard to find real tests done in real world circumstances. i mean if synthetic oil prevents break in from occuring correctly why would the Corvette, Porsche, AMG Mercedes, Dodge Viper, Mustangt Cobra R, etc come from the factory filled with synth. if it were an issue?

synthetic vs mineral oil in your car. personally i feel that any reputable mineral [dino] oil will perform just as good as a synthetic [or synthetic blend as most are] when used with a proper maintenance schedual under normal driving conditions. besides, most oil manufacturers recommend staying within the vehicle manufacturers oil change intervals even when running synthetic. where is the advantage? if one was to run the extended intervals they either have to be driving around with a ****ted up filter or still adhere to the 3000 mile filter change schedule which requires adding oil.

i have not seen any independant tests proving an increase in gas mileage, let alone one that offsets the higher price of the synthetic oil.

there was one article a while ago that ran several tests on oils. i can't find it now. anyway, a friend of mine works for the military. they run standard oil analysis on the vehicles. maybe i can get him to shed some light....

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by scorer75
This sounds like good information. Does anybody know if Ford adds anything into the oil?

Also, another person told me to do the first oil change at 1,500 because there will be "shavings" that get into the oil while the motor is breaking in.

Can anybody confirm or deny this?

yes, shavings are left behind from the process of machining the block... if you run an oil analysis on a new engine the amount of metal particulate should decrease as mileage is put and further oil changes performed.

as the engine is used more and more and begines to wear internal damage can be shown through oil analysis' that show more metal...