How often should a guy change synthetic oil? I am using Valvoline Max Life synthetic, and change it about every 5000-6000. My rig is a '99 250 SD w/ 5.4, 113,000 miles. Should I change it more often like regular oil, or am I good as mentioned?
Thanks,
Rick

 

Depends on the sync in question. I would recommend going to the Valvoline website and see what they say. The reason...is that Royal Purple Sync says, the oil can be changed every 12,000 miles. However during those 12,000 miles, they do recommend changing the oil filter per vehicle manufacturer.

I used to have a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport Coupe Kompressor...and that car could go 10-12,000 miles on oil changes...according to the on-board computer. And would change depending on driving conditions.

So...with you changing every 5-6000 miles...I see no problem...but still suggest you research Valvoline.

I personally use the Motorcraft 5w20 (red bottle) oil...which is a semi-sync. Works fine for my needs...and my SD needs.

biz

_______________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

Personally... to hell with what the manufacturer says. Doesn't Ford say 3K for normal service on a gasser? That's when I'd change it. They've got lots of highly-paid engineers coming up with these rules... there's probably a good reason.

 

I run the Valvoline Syn power in my 04' V10. I change every 3,000, even though it's synthetic. I don't like letting it go to 5 or 6,000 even if it is ok. Just me though.

 

I use the valvoline max life synth also, but still change my oil every 3,000 miles. I do a lot of towing and figure oil is cheap insurance, hell maintenance is cheap insurance in general.

 

Actually...No, normal service is 5000 miles...and the severe or towing gets the 3000 miles.

Why wait for the 3000 miles...when you can change it every 1000 miles...etc.

biz

________________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

I've used Mobil 1 in every vehicle I've owned since 1982 (even motorcycles and ATVs). In my cars/trucks, I change the oil every 5000 miles (along with the oil filter, of course). I have my oil changes "timed", as I change it at 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, etc. That way it's very easy to know when it's time to change the oil again.

 

If synthetic oils are so much better (100% or more cost) why would you need to change them more often then dino oils ?
It was only a few years ago that the normal oil change interval was 12,000 miles.
Only since the quickie oil change places have become popular has the world decided that you need to change oil every 3,000 miles. The manufacturers STILL say you don't need to change that often.
And yes... I remember when it was change oil every 1,000 miles & filter every 2,000 miles.

 

Whatever oil you use, you still must adhere to the manufacturers time/milage oil change interval for maintaining engine warranty. I believe Ford's is for regular service, 7,500 miles. Check your owners manual for severe service intervals.

The way I understand it, if you are going to disregard these intervals, you'd better subscribe to an oil testing service and heed their recommendations.

 

I don't acutally drive mine. I just have a pan underneath it with about 5 gallons of oil, a fishtank pump, and some hose. I keep the drain pan open, and run the hose into the oil intake. Just pump the oil around without moving the truck

Seriously though. I change mine about every 3K miles (I might let it go a little if I'm in the boondocks) but never EVER let it go over 5K. As far as synthetic over dino goes, well, I don't know. But I have a lot of freind that run classic rods (Chevelles, Fairlanes, Mustangs, etc) and they all run dino and are very skeptical of synthetics. So far I've been running dino in my 06 6.0L though.

Gunner15a

 

Have an Oil Analysis done. I had a 2002 F150 with the 5.4, using Mobil 1 I went out to 10000 mile oil changes.

 

I've done that a couple of times (10K mile changes). If you remember, Mobil 1 cans from the 1980s had "15,000 Mile Oil Changes" printed right on the can.

Just remember, though, that oil filters only last for about 5,000 miles.

 

If you are under warranty, no matter what oil you use, you must follow the mfg interval for oil changes. But since your truck is almost certainly out of warranty, tjhe interval depends on you and what you believe about any of the oil hype.

I have used syn since 1980 in just about anything I own that has an oil cap. I follow the factory "normal" service interval even if I tow. I figure the syn that I use is up to the "severe" duty cycle and can be changed at the "normal" interval. I could be wrong, I am no oil expert. I do not go with double or longer intervals as some oils will claim. I have tried it in the past and did not like the look of the oil, which is purely a personal preference and not based on any science.

With Dino, if I was using any, I am more careful to follow factory recommendations. Dino is much improved over what it used to be and is very near to syn in performance but extended drain intervals and temperature extremes are still areas where syn has an edge.

The 3,000 oil change certainly won't hurt, but most engines in good condition will go longer. If you are nervous send the oil out for analysis. The military is moving away from scheduled changes and going for analyzed changes. Do a search for AOAP if you want to read the pros and cons and whys of this.

So short story, on my 94 F250 which I use maybe 20% to tow I use Valvoline syn and change at 5K intervals. ON my Other Ford vehicles I go with 5K since that is the factory "normal". On a chebby the factory interval was 7.5K and I went with that.

BTW, read the manual and you will see that most of us are not "Normal"

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I have never used synthetics and have never had an oil related failure of any kind. Most of my vehicles get recycled (given to my kids) at around 300,000 to 450,000 miles and are still running fine.Oil changes have always been in the 6000 to 10,000 mile range (usually closer to 10,000 and sometimes more). I do a LOT of hiway driveing and put on a LOT of miles, I can't afford to through my money away on oil changes that only serve to make the oil companies richer.

 

We do 10K w/syn, no probs w/ oil ****.