Synthetic oil a Waste or Worth it?
 

So I'm just wondering is Synthetic Oil worth it? My truck is a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0L V8. I just rolled up to the 3,000 miles on it and am starting to consider what type oil to use on my first Oil change. I won't be changing it until about 5,000 miles but I'm just thinking ahead here.

Is Synthetic Oil worth the extra cost? I've done a little bit of reserch online and most people seem to agree that Synthetic is the way to go. Some say its only really worth it if you're constantly running you're vehicle in extream conditions...Hot/Cold/Towing...etc...etc. Which my truck is not subjected to extream conditions (other than west texas heat where 110 degree days are the norm durning the summer). But generally most people say if you are willing to pay the extra cost (Which I am if its actually worth it) then it is infact better for you're vehicle than regular crude based oils. I've been considering Royal Purple a Co-worker told me yesterday that he use's Royal Purple in his Nissan Titan and that its the best oil he's ever used. So if anyone else has any experience with Royal Purple I would love to hear if it was good or bad.

Lastly, I've got friend whome I was talking to about this the other day and he told me that once you start running Synthetic in you're engine you had better keep running Synthetic in you're engine. He didn't go into detail as to why it would be that way. I've never heard that rumor from anyone but him, so I don't know how much truth there really is to it. But if it is true I'm not sure if I like the idea of that. For instance if there was any risk of damaging the engine or anything if I were to not use Synthetic for a change after using it for 25,000 miles or so.

Anyway, thanks for the help everyone. :-drink

Define "regular crude oil" even synthetic oil comes from the same barrel of crude!!


With that said you need to understand NO oil you buy on the market is really a FULL synthetic like it used to be when MOBIL was pure PAO. A lawsuit in 2005 changed that forever now they can call GPIII full synthetic which is near identical to the non synthetic oil next to it which is GPII/II+.

Now with GF-5 SN oil the playing field is very narrow all API oils must meet these specs so you can't lose no matter what oil you pick!! Heck even Walmart SuperTech SN GF-5 will do you fine its that close of a Spec!

I would just run the Motorcraft 5w20 oil and filter as it has always provided good UOA's and is very capable of going to 10k.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to piss you off or anything by not having vast knowledge of my oils. But hey I thought that's what the question was for...You know to learn more about something I know little of.

Thanks for you're input.

Nope I don't get pissed off very easy! It was not my intent if thats how you read it. I was just sticking with cold hard industry facts.

I apologize, I tend to take things the wrong way over the internet. I not a complete ass I promise!

But seriously thanks for you're input. :-drink

Ford believes that paying for full syn is a waste of money as the MC 5W-20 is a semi syn and costs about half as much. Ford expects the same drain interval no matter which oil is used.

I've used mobil1 extended performance for the past many many years and have had great results with it. I did extend my drain intervals out to 10K or annually.

I've since converted my Expy back to MC 5W-20 semi syn will no side effects and and she runs great. 15K on the clock since I converted back.

I intend to run MC oil in all my vehicles from now on.

No problem switching back and forth between full syn and regular or syn blend these days. I feel a bit better pushing long drain intervals and sub zero temps with full syn, but will not go longer than the mfr recommendation in terms of changes. And I will generally buy full syn on sale, not pay a big premium. High priced purple oil does not excite me.

George

I've been using synthetic blend oils since about 1996, and after the very first oil change at 3k with a syn blend I realized i was wasting my money. So I extended my change interval to 5k and have been doing that ever since.

the only exception to this was when i was driving 180mi/day to work. Then i switched to a full synthetic and changed the oil every 3 months. (REALLY tired of changing oil all the freaking time driving that much).

I never had any engine problems due to change intervals in this time. I quit driving my 89 tbird with about 209k on the clock, and my 94 escort at about 220k.

my exception to the rule is the trucks. My exploder gets 3k with Motorcraft oil. I tried to go 5k and the oil just seemed to get darker than I liked past about 4k. This is only a 5qt system, however, and I use it quite hard. The v10 doesn't count because it only gets 3k per year and they all get changed once per year whether they get driven or not.

FWIW, i use motorcraft oil and motorcraft filters. If it is good enough for a brand new car, then it is good enough for the crap I drive :)

I can't speak for or against the application of full Syn in the new trucks, only because my new truck hasn't reached the first oil change yet....but when the time comes, I will be going to full syn oil.

I made the switch to full syn oil/lubes in my old 1987 Toyota pickup after I did a complete overhaul on it about 5 years ago. After breaking in the new engine, I went through the entire truck and dumped all the fluids, and replaced them with full synthetics..... diffs, tranny, tranfer case, and crankcase.
In that truck it made a pretty significant difference. MPG increased a bit, and where the truck would slow down previously going down hills, I had to get on the brakes after going to complete syn fluids. I also had to readjust the idle as it sped up a couple hundred rpms.
It made enough of a difference that I also changed all the fluids in my Wife's rig to full syn. Noticeable difference there too....enough to make me a believer.

I've already purchased a case of Motorcraft full syn, and a couple of filters in anticipation of the new trucks first oil change. I really don't expect to see too much difference with the new truck, but I'm hopeful.

Is this "semi syn" something that you have to ask for if you have your oil changed at the dealer is it now the standard oil for all F150 trucks serviced?

What is the part number for this oil for DIY? I'm hoping not to have to buy it at a dealer as I'm sure the cost there would be much higher than at an auto parts store.

See my response in bold.

The Ford part number is in your owner's manual. You can buy the MC oil at Walmart for a lot less than the dealer will sell it to you. For the filters you may have to go to Tasca, Rockauto, or other online retailer (if they're not carried at your local AutoZone, Pep Boys, etc.).

I can do a 7 quart syn blend change with filter (at home) for about $21.00.

Makre sure you save your receipts to document the maintenance (consider digital photos with date/time stamps).

I get all of my motorcraft oil and filters at walmart also. I also get my delco filters (for the gm's) at walmart. your part of the world may differ.

The gm's eat motorcraft oil too (something right about making a chevy eat ford oil :) )

Is this the right MC oil?
 

Hmm,

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong Motorcraft oil, but the prices out here in SoCal for "Motorcraft Synthetic Blend" 5w20 is $5/quart, or $24/5-quart jug at the local auto shops here.

Haven't stopped by Walmart but before I make the trip, I want to make sure this is the correct oil to look for, in the photo below:

Attachment 230652

Wow $5 a quart? Stick 'em up! I get the 5 qt jug at Wallyworld for $12-13. I buy 2, then 2 next time, thats enough for 3 changes. Motorcraft filters are like $4 there.

Yes thats the right oil!! But if you go to autozone or peopboys then it is 5.00 per quart!