Hi everyone,

I have a 1998 4.0 Ranger 4x4 extended cab and its about time for an oil change (As soon as the temp gets above 25). I have been thinking about Synthetic but have heard alot of cons and reasons why I shouldn't switch. Mainly I have heard that once I run synthetic I can't go back to regular oil. Is this true, and if so, Why? Does anyone have an information they can give me. The truck has 75,000 miles on it and runs like a champ, I just want added protection and possibly more power.
Thanks,
-Phil

 

I don't see any issue with you switching and you can switch back no problem.

 

If it's running like a champ I would stay with what you have. If it's not broken, don't fix it!

 

"If it aint broke, Fix it till it is"

 

There is no reason why you cannot go back to dino oil if you've used synthetic fluids. Most of the time, though, once a person has moved up to a real synthetic, they have no desire to use dino again. There is nothing mystical or supernatural about synthetic lubes.

There are two principle objections to synthetics I've heard. First, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Those who hold this view mean that dino works fine and therefore what benefit is there in using anything else. I won't state that dino is broken. Depending upon the additive package it gives good to excellent service and there are many here who would not contemplate using anything else. Where excellent dino's leave off, synthetics take over. They are naturally more stable and handle a wider range of temperatures more effectively, something that you would benefit from considering the temperatures you're dealing with now. The military is almost exclusively a synthetic user in climates with extreme tempeatures.

The second objection is that one may not encounter conditions which justify the added expense of using a synthetic. Everyone's gotta answer that cost/benefit analysis question themselves but in Greece, NY, right now I'd bet your car would rather have synthetic fluids in it and not just in the engine but the transmission and rear end too. Personally, I consider oil to be such a critical matter in the long term durability of a truck that I'm willing to pay a little more just for the peace of mind it offers me. Others have not one single doubt that good old dino is just fine.

If you do switch to a synthetic, don't skrimp on a filter. Use at least OEM quality. You should get twice the miles out of a synthetic oil (Mobil 1 or Amsoil are good to excellent conventional synthetics) and one of the critical differences between good and cheap filters is how long and under what conditions they provide reliable filtration and high flow rates.

 

Phil,

The only issue I've ever heard of with regard to switching over to synthetic oil from dino has to do with leakage. Apparantly the synthetic oils have more cleaning agents which can cause problems with some old seals that are probably better off being left alone. And supposedly the synthetics are a little "thinner" and can seep through those old seals a little easier. Or so goes the theory, anyway. But I don't see any problem with you changing over to synthetic since you only have 75K on the motor and your seals should be fine.

The pros & cons of dino oil verses synthetic oil are discussed all the time in the FTE Oil & Lube Forum. You should check it out, maybe even try a search and read through some past threads on the subject.

 

I'd completely forgotten about seepage. Yes, I've heard that can be a problem though I've never actually seen a case of it happening. I wasn't thinking of it since the question involved a return to dino after using synthetics and not a problem with switching to synthetics. Still, it's something to consider.