synthetic oil?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Casselberry, FL
synthetic oil?
I am finally going to start changing my own oil. My 2003 Ranger has 39200 miles on it. Some people have told me not to use synthetic and some say yes use it. What do all of you say? What is the best oil and recommendation?
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25
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From: santa fe, new mexico
Now's as good a time as any!
Save some gas,
Save your motor,
Use synthetic oil
If yer a driver or a boater.
-Burma Shave
I use Mobil 1, and can only say good things about it. Too bad they were bought by Exxon (Valdez).
Save some gas,
Save your motor,
Use synthetic oil
If yer a driver or a boater.
-Burma Shave
I use Mobil 1, and can only say good things about it. Too bad they were bought by Exxon (Valdez).
Last edited by Oldfordguy49; Jun 25, 2005 at 01:17 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: SoCal
I've been using Amsoil synthetic since 1979. Great stuff & doesnt need to be changed as often.
If most of your driving is highway miles -not much short trip cold motor driving- you can easily go 7500 miles between changes.
If most of your driving is highway miles -not much short trip cold motor driving- you can easily go 7500 miles between changes.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
If it's not leaking oil now, then you're lkely ok to change without problems.
If it's leaking somewhere, get it fixed first, then change.
I'd stay with the same brand you've been using, if it's been doing ok for you & the engine is clean inside. This way you won't have to be concerned with the additives in the new oil not being compatible with what remains, when you change.
Which oil is best, is like asking about relgion & politics LOL
I've used Texaco Havoline products for 50 years, no tar, no sludge, no varnish, no carbon, NO PROBLEMS. LOL
I finally switched my rides to Texaco 5W-30 synthetic last year, so far no problems.
Taurus had 70K, Ranger had 40K, both get slightly better high way mileage 1.8-2.2 more mpg, but i've not noticed any improvement in city MPG on the Ranger's 4.0L yet.
Also run a good high capacity/large filter area filter, like a MotorCraft, Pure-One, ect, as the synthetic's detergents will clean er out inside, so if you have deposits you don't want the filter to clog up & go into bypass!!!!
If it's leaking somewhere, get it fixed first, then change.
I'd stay with the same brand you've been using, if it's been doing ok for you & the engine is clean inside. This way you won't have to be concerned with the additives in the new oil not being compatible with what remains, when you change.
Which oil is best, is like asking about relgion & politics LOL
I've used Texaco Havoline products for 50 years, no tar, no sludge, no varnish, no carbon, NO PROBLEMS. LOL
I finally switched my rides to Texaco 5W-30 synthetic last year, so far no problems.
Taurus had 70K, Ranger had 40K, both get slightly better high way mileage 1.8-2.2 more mpg, but i've not noticed any improvement in city MPG on the Ranger's 4.0L yet.
Also run a good high capacity/large filter area filter, like a MotorCraft, Pure-One, ect, as the synthetic's detergents will clean er out inside, so if you have deposits you don't want the filter to clog up & go into bypass!!!!
Postmaster
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From: St. Peter
Yeah, with only 40 k on it, you should be fine, it really only becomes a problem when you change a vehicle thats been running 100k regular, then switch it to synthetic. I still have to figure out what i'm going to run on my 85 302 when i get it back in the truck, i'm thinking 5w30 full synthetic motorcraft, with motorcraft filter for the rest of the trucks life.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 70
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From: Vancouver Island, British
Congratulations on the switch! I drive an 88 2.9l 4x4 Ranger that has almost 200,000 km on it and I decided last year to replace all the fluids with synthetics so everything would last longer. I wish I'd done this years ago.
I do have an oil leak around the rocker cover casket, but it doesn't leak any more with the synthetic than it did with the regular oil.
One of the local autowreckers told me before changing the oil in the crankcase to sythentic, to change to clean regular oil and a new filter first to get rid of the gunk, then two weeks later, replace the filter then change the oil to synthetic.
Charlotte
I do have an oil leak around the rocker cover casket, but it doesn't leak any more with the synthetic than it did with the regular oil.
One of the local autowreckers told me before changing the oil in the crankcase to sythentic, to change to clean regular oil and a new filter first to get rid of the gunk, then two weeks later, replace the filter then change the oil to synthetic.
Charlotte
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Cypress, CA
It is hard to say which is better and it is likely to be a matter of personal preference. In my own personal Ranger, I use Mobil 1. The 30+ at the shop all use Re-refined 10W-30 motor oil and transmission fluids. Have not had problems with the re-refined at all. Years ago we used 15W40 oil in everything and I have to say that the fleet-wide fuel economy has improved with the 10W30.
Russ
Russ
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
I've had excellent luck with my regular castrol 5w20 changed every 3000 miles, it's not even that dirty when i cange it.
In my 78' Chevy Silverado with a 350, i've got about 83k on the rebuilt engine and i've used nothing but castrol 20w50 because thats what the builder said to use. I had to change the pan gasket on it a few months ago and i was amazed at how clean it was. The whole bottom end had a very slight yellow tinge to it and so did the sump on the pan and there wasnt any metal or debris in the pan either. The last engine in this truck was a 305 and at 5000 miles i had switched to mobil one and about 2000 miles later it started burning about a quart of oil every 200-300 miles and fouling 2 spark plugs on a weekly basis. This motor was thrown in the trash at the 10,000 mile mark. My best guess was it sucked the oil rings on a couple cylinders, i have no idea if it had anything to do with the synthetic, i may have just been a coincidence.
In my 78' Chevy Silverado with a 350, i've got about 83k on the rebuilt engine and i've used nothing but castrol 20w50 because thats what the builder said to use. I had to change the pan gasket on it a few months ago and i was amazed at how clean it was. The whole bottom end had a very slight yellow tinge to it and so did the sump on the pan and there wasnt any metal or debris in the pan either. The last engine in this truck was a 305 and at 5000 miles i had switched to mobil one and about 2000 miles later it started burning about a quart of oil every 200-300 miles and fouling 2 spark plugs on a weekly basis. This motor was thrown in the trash at the 10,000 mile mark. My best guess was it sucked the oil rings on a couple cylinders, i have no idea if it had anything to do with the synthetic, i may have just been a coincidence.
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by jimw411
I've had excellent luck with my regular castrol 5w20 changed every 3000 miles, it's not even that dirty when i cange it.
In my 78' Chevy Silverado with a 350, i've got about 83k on the rebuilt engine and i've used nothing but castrol 20w50 because thats what the builder said to use. I had to change the pan gasket on it a few months ago and i was amazed at how clean it was. The whole bottom end had a very slight yellow tinge to it and so did the sump on the pan and there wasnt any metal or debris in the pan either. The last engine in this truck was a 305 and at 5000 miles i had switched to mobil one and about 2000 miles later it started burning about a quart of oil every 200-300 miles and fouling 2 spark plugs on a weekly basis. This motor was thrown in the trash at the 10,000 mile mark. My best guess was it sucked the oil rings on a couple cylinders, i have no idea if it had anything to do with the synthetic, i may have just been a coincidence.
In my 78' Chevy Silverado with a 350, i've got about 83k on the rebuilt engine and i've used nothing but castrol 20w50 because thats what the builder said to use. I had to change the pan gasket on it a few months ago and i was amazed at how clean it was. The whole bottom end had a very slight yellow tinge to it and so did the sump on the pan and there wasnt any metal or debris in the pan either. The last engine in this truck was a 305 and at 5000 miles i had switched to mobil one and about 2000 miles later it started burning about a quart of oil every 200-300 miles and fouling 2 spark plugs on a weekly basis. This motor was thrown in the trash at the 10,000 mile mark. My best guess was it sucked the oil rings on a couple cylinders, i have no idea if it had anything to do with the synthetic, i may have just been a coincidence.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,777
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From: Perry,Ga.
I ues Wal-Mart 5W30 synthetic in my 96 4.0 Ranger with 118500 miles on it now.it had 116000 when I got it.I've had no problems with it.
In the 96 Explorer I use Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic and again no problems.The X had 186000 miles when I switch to the synthetic,and it did not start any leaks.
In the 86 BII I use Wal-Mart 10W30 and the only problem is the valuve cover leaks a little more{thats because I'm to lazy to fix it}It leak befor I started useing the synthetic oil in it.
All 3 Trucks get the oil change every 5000 miles.
All the Veh. where bought used and I don't anything about the oil used in them befor I got them.
Also as stated above Use a Good oil filter like Motorcraft.Wix or Purealator.Do not use Fram.JMO
In the 96 Explorer I use Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic and again no problems.The X had 186000 miles when I switch to the synthetic,and it did not start any leaks.
In the 86 BII I use Wal-Mart 10W30 and the only problem is the valuve cover leaks a little more{thats because I'm to lazy to fix it}It leak befor I started useing the synthetic oil in it.
All 3 Trucks get the oil change every 5000 miles.
All the Veh. where bought used and I don't anything about the oil used in them befor I got them.
Also as stated above Use a Good oil filter like Motorcraft.Wix or Purealator.Do not use Fram.JMO