Synthetic or Conventional Oil
#1
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Synthetic or Conventional Oil
Peeps,
I have 2006 F150 King Ranch, 5.4 L engine (35K miles). Does anyone one have an opinion on the benefits/disadvantages of going with synthetic oil in my truck? It'll be my first oil change since I've purchased it (I bought it with 32K miles on it)
I have 2006 F150 King Ranch, 5.4 L engine (35K miles). Does anyone one have an opinion on the benefits/disadvantages of going with synthetic oil in my truck? It'll be my first oil change since I've purchased it (I bought it with 32K miles on it)
#2
I've always contended that conventional oil was fine as long as it had the proper certification and you changed it at regular intervals. I've never, in 35 years of doing my own oil changes, ever had an oil-related breakdown. I've driven vehicles from up to 200,000 miles with no problem on conventional oil
I now own a 2006 F150 with a 4.6 in 4x4. Gas mileage was horrible - in the 13-15 mpg range with the recommended Motorcraft 5w/20 synthetic blend. At approximately 15k miles, I decided to switch.
I tried Mobil One in 5w/20 and got about 1mpg increase in the gas mileage. That, along with the increased interval of oil-changes (from 3,750 to about 5,000) might pay for the difference in price between the Motorcraft synthetic blend and the Mobil One. I guess I would have to "pencil whip it" to figure it out. The Mobil One is approximately twice the price.
In reality, it is probably a wash.
I now own a 2006 F150 with a 4.6 in 4x4. Gas mileage was horrible - in the 13-15 mpg range with the recommended Motorcraft 5w/20 synthetic blend. At approximately 15k miles, I decided to switch.
I tried Mobil One in 5w/20 and got about 1mpg increase in the gas mileage. That, along with the increased interval of oil-changes (from 3,750 to about 5,000) might pay for the difference in price between the Motorcraft synthetic blend and the Mobil One. I guess I would have to "pencil whip it" to figure it out. The Mobil One is approximately twice the price.
In reality, it is probably a wash.
#5
Senior Member
Synthetics, in my opinion, are not worth it unless you are following an extended service interval. It is better for your engine and provides the highest level of protection possible, there is no question about that. But, if you are changing at no more than a 5k interval I see very little benefits. The only cars I know that require synthetic oils are German cars. They also allow extended oil use of up to 15k miles. When I had my Mercedes I changed the oil every 13k miles or every year. I owned the car for 95k miles and it still was running absolutely perfect when I sold it.
The main issue here is "will you lose sleep over it?" If it lets you sleep easier at night follow the interval/oil combination that makes you happy. I am sure there are many on here that follow the 3k interval with synthetic oils. It makes them happy. I just follow the 5k interval with conventional oil.
The main issue here is "will you lose sleep over it?" If it lets you sleep easier at night follow the interval/oil combination that makes you happy. I am sure there are many on here that follow the 3k interval with synthetic oils. It makes them happy. I just follow the 5k interval with conventional oil.
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#8
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I use mobil 1 full synthetic 5w-20. Its very expensive, but one the other hand i can run my oil 5,000 miles. Also its a piece of mind knowing that you are helping your engine to run as long as possible. (also maybe take into consideration your driving..i.e. i drive all in town and start and stop my truck 10+ times a day for work, whereas if you drive twice a day and its a more straight shot or highway, the synthetic may not have as much of a preventitive wear and tear use) Just my opinion though..
#9
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As others have pointed out, FULL synthetic oil benifits those who do not want to change their oil as often as every 3 to 4K miles. Using the semi-synthetic 5w-20 that Ford recommends, and changing every 3 to 4K with a good quality filter will net you the same engine longentivity as those who run full synthetic.
If you run full synthetic and change it using the same recommendations as semi-synthetic, you are throwing your money out the window. Yes, I agree that full synthetic is great oil, changing it before it's recommended 5 to 6K mileage capability is just wasting money however.
So, 3 to 4K, use semi-synthetic. 5 to 6K, go full synthetic. Just use a quality filter during each oil change.
And before you ask "what's the best filter?", use the search. Most here recommend the Motorcraft (Ford) filter. I do.
If you run full synthetic and change it using the same recommendations as semi-synthetic, you are throwing your money out the window. Yes, I agree that full synthetic is great oil, changing it before it's recommended 5 to 6K mileage capability is just wasting money however.
So, 3 to 4K, use semi-synthetic. 5 to 6K, go full synthetic. Just use a quality filter during each oil change.
And before you ask "what's the best filter?", use the search. Most here recommend the Motorcraft (Ford) filter. I do.