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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 05:08 PM
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Synthetic Oil ?

I have a 2006 F-350 Super Duty 4x4 with a 5.4 gas engine.The truck only has 65,250 miles on it.I have a STRICT maintenance schedule that I've followed since I got the truck with about 30 miles on it.My question is this,should I switch to full synthetic motor oil or stay with the 5/w20?I'm sure some one here can point me in the right direction on this.Thanks,George
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 05:21 PM
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Motor Oil Myths and Facts

That said, I use synthetic because it takes me 6-12 months sometimes to put the requisite miles on in order to change. I always look at it periodically though.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 05:59 PM
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There's all sort of facts,myths and opinions on synthetic oil. From what I've seen it's not a good idea to switch over with a real old engine. They usually start experiencing leaks. Newer engines shouldn't be a problem.

I've been using sythetic oil for more than 10 years. Did it for great winter starting and extended oil changes. It's saved us alot of time and aggravation constantly storing and dealing with waste oil. We've switched to it in 'newer' vehicles with less, similar and more mileage than yours without experiencing any issues.


Unsure why you'd like to switch, but if you have a reason that makes the extra cost for the oil itself worthwhile, I'd switch. If not, stick with what you're doing.

Only my personal opinion.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 06:07 PM
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I was thinking about switching because I want to get the most life I possibly can from my engine.I was told synthetic was the way to go.The way things are looking for me at this stage of my life, the truck I'm driving right now is going to have to last me a LONG time.I just want to do whats best for the life of my truck.Maybe I should just leave well enough alone and stay with what I'm doing?
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by ommegang
Motor Oil Myths and Facts

That said, I use synthetic because it takes me 6-12 months sometimes to put the requisite miles on in order to change. I always look at it periodically though.
That page is as actual as "Al Gore is re-elected in 2004" it mentions as a reason for oil differences.
With synthetics you can find oil with 0 grade, what not only saves fuel, but flows way better on cold engine start-up, potentially extending the engine life.
Unfortunately manufacturers seldom follow the new lubrication technology in older vehicles, so you are basically on your own to draw your conclusions.
I am using synthetics in all my equipment since some engines are run for like 50 hr a year, so I have 5 years old synthetics in them.
Than driving my PowerStroke a lot I started to do oil testing at every change. While Rotella beat Motorcraft oil by a mile, I don't see advantage of synthetic. So far tested Mobil1, Rotella synthetic is on my next schedule.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 06:57 PM
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You are fine switching over to a full synthetic or sticking to the Motorcraft blend. Your engine should see a long life either way. I run Pennsoil Platinum in my truck which is a synthetic that isn't very expensive. The TBN was a little low on my UOA with MC 5w-20 so I switched a synthetic.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by dkf
You are fine switching over to a full synthetic or sticking to the Motorcraft blend. Your engine should see a long life either way. I run Pennsoil Platinum in my truck which is a synthetic that isn't very expensive. The TBN was a little low on my UOA with MC 5w-20 so I switched a synthetic.
My son has a 2004 Econoline 350 V10 with 600,000 miles. Has always used Mobil1. Changes at 7500 miles. All highway miles.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 07:12 PM
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I use synthetics because of the extended intervals and cold temperature starts and running. It is also better for the vehicle and the environment. When I added it up it is cheaper! Whats not to like?
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard2212
My son has a 2004 Econoline 350 V10 with 600,000 miles. Has always used Mobil1. Changes at 7500 miles. All highway miles.
Those are some impressive mileage. My V10 is an 04' and I'll be happy to get half that.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by dkf
Those are some impressive mileage. My V10 is an 04' and I'll be happy to get half that.
Pan and Heads never OFF. Has popped some Spark Plugs, the Intake Gasket has been replaced, several Starters. No Leaks!
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by GSullivan
I was thinking about switching because I want to get the most life I possibly can from my engine.I was told synthetic was the way to go.The way things are looking for me at this stage of my life, the truck I'm driving right now is going to have to last me a LONG time.I just want to do whats best for the life of my truck.Maybe I should just leave well enough alone and stay with what I'm doing?
Regular oil is just fine but one things for sure is you're not going to hurt anything by trying synthetic.

I love the synthetic. Use Mobil One. Will never go back to regular oil again. All things considered it ends up costing about the same however it's an individual choice in the end.

If you feel comfortable extending oil changes, try the synthetic.

If you're going to change the synthetic at the same intervals, live in a mild climate or don't work the truck once in a while,.... just leave well enough alone.

Routine oil changes like you've been doing will keep that engine running as long as you need it too.

.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 08:02 PM
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I have 116000 on my truck is it to late to switch. I dont want to have any oil to start leaking. Thanks
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Edkajo

I love the synthetic. Use Mobil One. Will never go back to regular oil again. All things considered it ends up costing about the same
.
Not in my books. At 220,000 miles I run Mobil1 for 10,000 miles and lab test advised to change it due to high iron.
I run Rotella dino for 10,000 and lab test gave it green light for another 2000 miles.
Mobil1 is known to generate high iron, what was not explained by factory engineer. Some don't worry about that, some do. I am still researching the issue.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Kajtek1
Not in my books. I run Mobil1 for 10,000 miles and lab test advised to change it due to high iron.
I run Rotella dino for 10,000 and lab test gave it green light for another 2000 miles.
Mobil1 is known to generate high iron, what was not explained by factory engineer. Some don't worry about that, some do. I am still researching the issue.
.... oil is like politics. Information is always changing and there lots of confusion on what each thing actually means. Good to know about just the same.



For now Mobil works for us.......
Two of our vehicles are nearing 200k. Used Mobil in both since new. 6 months on filters, one year on oil. Maybe 12-15k. I just date everything like the tractor. Both still run like new. Fridged morning starts are a breeze. Can't see where mobil has had any negative effect on the vehicles but then again, who can say for sure.

However, I also like rotella dino. It's in the 7.3 Just couldn't convince myself to buy 14qts of synthetic for an engine with a heater in addition to the hard time getting reliable info on what brand synthetic would be suitable for the diesel.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2011 | 11:45 PM
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My personal believe is that today's engines will run 200,000 miles even on cooking oil. Any motor oil will make them running 300k easy.
Mobil1 is spending fortunes on promoting the brand. They convicted Mercedes to promote their oil even historically Castroll is a leader for few generations.
Still, even I have Mobil1 in our Mercedes cars, I am planning to spend more money on lab tests. The $29 for test comparing to cost of oil change on PS sounds like a bargain.
Than if Rotella proves better than Mobil1. I will get my money back very fast.
 
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