ford4wd08

why not and get the best of both worlds and run a synthetic blend? like it came with from the factory. i can change my oil for 20 bucks will all motorcraft components. 6 quarts of 5w-20 synthetic blend and a filter, why anyone would go with anything else is beyond me.

sjoholm

Im not a master mechanic or anything i feel that i can do most of what is needed to my truck, but umm how would changing your oil in you motor engine to synthetic change how it shifts? now trying to rip on you or anything here skull just seeing if i can learn something new? I have heard running additives like the lucas oil in transmissions now can make it run 100 times better but never anything with the engine?

RahX

I wouldn't use synthetics unless your engine calls for it or it is in an extreme situation. Generally boats and motorcycles benefit more since they aren't treated as nicely as a daily driver vehicle. I've never had any beneficial experiences with synthetics in my daily drivers. There is no reason why synthetic oil wouldn't be compatible with conventional. You can switch back and forth all you want with no ill effects. The only time you will run into a problem is if you mix detergent oil with non detergent oil. Detergent oil is pretty much exctinct for engines so you shouldn't have to worry.

Skull31

No its cool man.I'm no master mechanic either,just a average wrenchin guy.To answer your question,honestly,i don't know.I just noticed a nice diference in the truck afterwords thats all man.Maybe its just my imagination i don't know,but just felt allot smoother while driving thats all.if anybody wants to chime in here and maybe just tell me its my imagination,or is their is some fact to it would have no problem with that.Only thing i think of was that ran some sea foam 2 days later,but haven't since,and i switched to fully synthetic about two years ago.Again,maybe its just me,thats all.

D94R

Synthetic oil isn't thinner than regular oil given you are comparing the same weight oil. The viscosity is the same. In simple terms, the oil is more "slippery", not thinner.

The reason people have oil leaks and/or start to burn oil after switching to synthetics isn't because of the oil being thinner and leaking past seals and gaskets. It's because synthetic oil has a naturally higher ability to clean and break up gunk and deposits.

This in turn breaks up deposits that have been sealing potential leaks the whole time. It has nothing to do with the oil being thinner and seeping past good seals and gaskets.

Mod (Ret.)

Justification is simple. If you are one to not change your oil every 3K (using conventional non synthetic) because of your busy work schedule, or other, then synthetic allows you to extend the oil change interval to 6-7K. Also, synthetic has a higher temp point before it "goops", bit this is not an issue with the average driver.

If you buy synthetic and change your oil every 3K, then yes, you'd be wasting your money with no real benefits.

I read the same responses each and every time these oil debates come up; most continue to support the myths that have been "out there" for years, such as synthetics cause oil and or seal leaks, rollor bearings don't "roll", can't switch from regular to synthetic or back to regular oil, the list goes on. Simply put, synthetic oil allows you to extend your oil change frequency. As stated by motard1, most folks will toss away money by using synthetic, and continue to change their oil every 3 to 4K; this would indeed be a waste of money; switch back to regular or semi-synthetic and save some money.

Most here stick with Motorcraft semi-synthetic and change their oil every 3 to 4K.

ZachFX4

This is my reason for wanting to switch to synthetic. Because of where I live (away from most things) I put a lot of miles on my vehicles throughout the year. Switching to synthetic will let me extend the life of my oil and require less frequent oil changes. I also plan on towing with this truck in the near future.

After comparing the costs of sticking with conventional and changing more frequently verses switching to synthetic and changing less frequently, the added cost will be about $30-$40 a year, which if I have to worry about $30-$40 extra a year I probably shouldn't be driving a truck that gets 16mpg as a daily driver when gas is inching towards $3 a gallon.

The purpose of this post was really to see if there are any negative side effects to switching to synthetic oil after being run on conventional for 35,000 miles.

Thanks for everyone's input on this topic. Sorry for stirring up the age old oil debate

bikerfuzz

last week i did my switch over.started with castrol 5w20 just to "wash" everything out. at same time i also did my front and rear axles with lucas synthentic. I just put in mobil 1 5w20 an i love it. was a fan of theirs from my harley, so it was a no brainer for me. I honestly can see a temp difference, its quieter and seems to run a bit easier.
but once you switch its a done deal..But its all a choice, stay with a major name brand and same with a filter and youll be fine/.

FrozenTundraGuy

I've run Mobil 1 in my 06 since it was new. At the first oil change I switched. My truck is not a daily driver, is used to tow my travel trailer and other leisure trips. It sits in the garage most of the winter, and I went to synthetic to do only twice yearly oil changes and give me more protection when not used and when towing. The only thing I would have done different is to use Motorcraft oil at least till the second oil change. My rings didn't appear to be seated, so I burned a bit of oil till the engine full broke in. It wasn't a lot, about half-quart between changes, and I'd get an occasional puff of blue smoke at start-up. That has stopped now.
My next change will be to 0W-20 Mobil 1 to see if it helps the gas mileage a bit more.

fire74

Hatchman240, thank you for citing an actual peer reviewed educational study. I can not stand when people quote .com sources because they can actually put what ever information they want on a .com just to help sell some stuff