I have a 1998 explorer 6cly sohc with about 56,000 miles it always has a oil change 3/3000. I always used a non syntheic oil.Next oil change will be with Castrol syntec and a NAPA gold filter. any comments good or bad? Also shoud the engine be flushed prior to changing the old oil b/4 a full syntheic is added?????

 

No flush needed.

There are a number of opinions on the value of a synthetic (as I recall, Syntec is not actually a "real" synthetic anyway). I am in the "they're not worth the money" camp.

Napa Gold is a good filter.

 

I'll second the above.

Synthetics are a real waste of money if you plan on still doing 3mo/3000mi service.

 

I'll third it
it always seemed to me like the money for synthetic would be better spent if you just changed the oil more often

 

I like synthetics but I usually go with 5K to 7.5K changes depending on the engine. I also tow a lot so I have a religious belief that syn gives me some protection at the extremes.

However, modern dinos are mighty good, expecially if you change often. Your engine is somewhat older so I am not sure if the full benefit of syn would be there. As long as the engine is in good mechanical condition especially no leaks, you should do fine. An engine flush should be unnecessary since the syn should flush it out just dandy. If you need a flush, the engine is probably already too far along to really benefit from syn anyway.

Oil is a religious matter. You will get all kinds of arguments pro and con, this and that. Use what oil you like as long as it meets the API and SAE spec for your engine and stick with it and change regularly.

Some would argue regular changes are a waste and should only be changed after analysis, check out the US Army AOAP program for that argument. For us civilians, regular oil changes may be wasteful but are a safe indulgence.

I for one use synthetic for religious reasons. I use Mobil 1 in my car, Valvoline syn in my 460 and Havoline syn in my wife's van and my yard equipment. Dino has never failed me but I am a believer that syn is just a little better for what I do.

Good oil is never a waste of money unless it just pours out the bottom. Use good oil, syn or dino, both are excellent and change regularly.

Jim Henderson

 

In the dabate of dino vs synthetic the wisdom of using a true synlube for it's ability to keep engine seals in both dynamic and static operation clean and in great condition gets lost in the shuffle somehow.

It will stay in grade while in service , offer better resistance to high and low temp oxidation and better fuel milaege over the course of the engines life due to a thinner vi synthetic base stock will offer better film strength over it's dino counterpart .The reduced NOAK volatilty of a true synlube will help keep consumption down as well to improve the % of power lost by lessening the accumulation of deposits in the combustion chamber , backside of the valves overtime .

Everytime one drains his/her oil it produces a dry start . I bet some have heard their mains knocking after oil change. So if you change at 3k or 9k what interval will have less wear from that alone ? The latter of course. Not just that alone but it all adds up to include a synlubed motor WILL stay cleaner.

Very few start out with synthetics and stay with them to over 250k or so while extending the drains to effectively reap ALL the rewards and benefits of using a true synlube .

In a engine with ultra short trips a synthetic still wins , just extend the months of service is all. Now if one has a oil burner , will not keep the vehicle for more than say ,150k miles or simply can't aford synthetic due to other factors a dino might be in order

 

I for one like the synthetic "BLENDS" (valvoline dura blend or castrol syntec blend etc.) I run a 5w30 in my car and a 10w30 in my truck. they are slightly higher priced than regular oil...about a buck more a quart, but still less than half of pure synthetic. I do not use them for prolonged drain intervals, still change every 3k miles, but What I noticed is they help greatly for cold weather starts (no knocking, and motor turns over nice and easy...big diffrence from regular oil.) and I replaced the valve cover gaskets the other day on the truck(134k mi.) and everything was nice and clean inside, and we do a lot of short trips around town. So for me I believe it to be well worth it, and I will continue to use them.

 

I think the areas where synthetic oils are really good are in extreme cold. The synthetics will flow a lot better at very cold temperatures. Also they need few viscosity index improvers, so the VIIs don't shear and cause the higher viscosity number to drop. Not sure how much that happens in a 3000 mile dino change. Would have to do oil analysis to find out. As for me, I am sticking with Valvoline Maxlife for now, which the MSDS indicates is about 12 to 22 precent synthetic base oil BTW. Not really a blend (I think must be 20 percent to advertize as such).

 

It's been reported that as little as 10% synthetic is in some. I doubt that it's the percentage that is the criteria, I think it's the different tests that have to pass set out by the different organizations that matters.

 

I have changed my oil every 2,500 miles, with a new K&N filter. Depending on driving time, highway or city, I have noticed my city driver gets dirty faster. Go to a hobby shop, buy a microscope, and have some fun. I have a 83 (SORRY) CHEVY,C10.OK I USE THIS TRUCK TO HAUL BUILDING MATERIAL TO THE DUMP.......However it has 220,000 give a take a few and I change oil every 2,500 miles. You tell me........change oil or change engines. Just my personal 2 cents worth.

 

Valvoline Maxlife is 12 to 22 percent synthetic base oils (Material Safety Data Sheet online), but it is not advertized as a synthetic blend. The European version of Maxlife is advertized as a synthetic blend, but has more synthetic base oil than the US version (per European Valvoline techincian on Email). I do believe I read the 20 percent figure somewhere or was told that by a Valvoline technical person.