Well, on previous vehicles, I've used a variety of oils. Then, when my wife got her 2001 Impala, I decided to try Mobil One Synthetic. After 60K on her car, I've been incredibly impressed. She does almost all highway driving, so I've been doing 5k drain intervals, and the oil has held up incredibly well. It looks perfect going in and out of the car...and the cold start properties are desirable as well. In that, I've always used 5W30 (what that car calls for).

With the Expy, I wanted to use synthetic as well...but Mobil doesn't make 5W20, as the big Triton demands. They do make 0W20, however. After much deliberation and research, and a few e-mails to Mobil, I decided to try it. According to Mobil, it was formulated with engines that take 5W20 in mind (Fords, newer Hondas, etc.). They claim it performs better in hot and cold conditions than 5w20 can. So far, I've got about 2K on this oil in the engine.

The only change I've noticed is far less valvetrain noise on cold startups; previously, for 10-15 seconds I'd get some valvetrain noise--sounded like a very quiet diesel. Now, there's nothing but sewing machine smooth startups, no matter how cold it gets (the recent -7 temps were a real test, no doubt).

Just thought I'd share this little bit of information with the board and see if anyone else has tried the new oil--it's been around for about a year or so, I guess. I'll report back if I learn anything bad, or have an unpleasant oil change.

For those of you who have the occasional cold start tapping noise, it might be worthwhile to try this.

 

Good info...I would like to try that on my next oil change. Lately in West Texas the temp have dropped pretty low and I have noticed the quite diesel sound on the cold start ups. Anyone else had any experience with this oil? Anyone know how long I should let the Expy warm up on cold mornings? And if i dont warm up does it cause any damage?

 

Been using it for 12,000 miles now. No problems at all and slightly better gas mileage. Someone would have to present me an extremely damaging engineering white paper on Mobil 1 in order to get me to switch to something else.

It's expensive but well worth it for a $40k vehicle.

 

so you do use synthetic 0-20?

 

Yes, I use the 0w-20 formulation.

 

what engine do you guys have 5.4 or 4.6?

 

I have the 5.4L V8.

 

Ditto on the 5.4L V-8.

 

Well I have the 5.4. I use 5w30 I think. So 0w20 of synthetic should be okay to use? I read in other posts that just cause you use synthetic doesnt mean you should change viscosity? But i read where you said that it worked better. but for warranty purposes is that cool?

 

Depending on the age of your motor, 5W30 or 5w20 is recommended. The 5W20 was recommended for newer motors, because Ford wants to eek out better fuel economy, and the thinner oil helps. It may only save .3 mpg, but over a few hundred thousand vehicles sold in a year, it might really help CAFE averages.

5W30 may be recommended for older engines in Expys; in that case, you can use Mobil One 5W30 if you want.

I was just discussing using 0W20 instead of 5W20 in newer Expy motors.

 

Just Had my oil change a couple of days ago. Went with the mobile 1 synthetic however they put 10w30 in my expy! I will try the 0W20 on my next oil change or do you guys think I should change it right away?

 

I wouldn't worry too much about it. A high quality synthetic 10W30 should lubricate everything as good or better than 0W20.

 

I have been using 5w20 Pennzoil for only one change on my 2000 EB 5.4L and the mpg seems to have come up a bit, maybe 1mpg. I have 0w20 Mobil 1 ready to go next time, about 400miles from now, and wouldn't hesitate to put it in anything of fairly recent manufacture. I have run 5w20 in my runabout 93 protege, and 98 Jeep GR. Cherokee. No problems! I recomend it.
BONZ

 

In regards to the oil change timeline between sythetic and regular oil....

Let's say we are talking about typical driving...on my explorer I used to change the oil at 3K miles....would the expedition change regular oil also at 3k miles???

If I make the switch to Sythetic oil can i assume a typical scenario would mean 5K miles between oil changes??

How many miles for those using regular oil between changes?

How many miles for those using synthetic oil between changes?

Thanks.

 

Back when I was using Redline syn oil because I got a terrific discount, the only difference I noticed in day to day operation was the engine was quieter on start up, year round. The reason is simply that syn oils do not drain down completely out of the valve guides, bearing races, etc. over night like dyno oils do. This is why many manufacturers are recommending blend oils now. You get the advantages of both kinds.