My 1997 F150 has 221000 kms on it and i was wondering if it would be worth it to use STP Oil Treatment every once in a while as i can get it through work. Thanks for the input guys.

 

I personally wouldn't add any additives or treatments to the oil, but that's just me. There are a few products out there that have been brought up on this site such as Sea foam, Lucas, Snake oil, etc. Some use these and swear by them, some say "DON'T DO IT".... My advice is to search this topic in the V8 section and form your opinion. Good luck..

 

One word, sort of. Don't.

 

That is why there are high mileage oils. They are designed with an additive package that does a better job of handling the abuse your oil takes from additional blow by. Don't think that thicker oil is better for your high mileage engine. Not for your 97.

 

I once had a 68 Dodge Charger with a 440. Used STP Oil Treatment in it and it clogged the oil passages, destroying a great engine. I say leave it alone

 

I never thought thicker oil was better. I was unaware that the STP product would thicken my oil. I live in northern Alberta Canada. Thicker oil is the last thing i want with the very very cold temps we get here.

 

Unfortunately, a lot of the high mileage oils are just that. Thicker.

 

i ran 15w-40 in my 97 for a while(4.6), no problems, oh yeah it had over 200k on it. my wife used to pour rotella 15w-40 in her 95 couger(4.6) all the time(when we first met, cougar long gone), no problems, come to think of it, she didnt change the oil the first 18 mos she had it. figured up it has like 40k on that change though, i like to have never gotten the filter off. it was a leaker though, so i guess it kinda changed itself. speedo broke at 186k right after we met, i know for a FACT that car had well over 200k.

we do live in the south though(ms), so our temps arent really cold.

i use 5w30 in the expedition though

 

Need to stick with 5W-20, and if you live somewhere cold going thicker is definitely a no-no. If you're not having problems with your engine, use a high quality oil and stick with changing the oil at regular intervals... which is another highly debated issue! While I am not sure all those additives out there are do any damage, I don't think they do much more than empty your wallet. People swear by the Lucas products simply because they have NHRA plastered all over their stuff. That only means they have money...

 

back to op, use some if you want, with a pile of miles i dont think it would hurt, now if you have to pay for it, id just leave it alone if the truck doesnt smoke or whatever


opinion if its free or ultra cheap, sure, otherwise, snake oil.......

 

If you live in cold climite, don't use oil thickners.
The reason 5w20 is used is for all around use and for starting in cold and for fast lubing.
You must remember the Fords are overhead cammed with long timing chains that are oil pressure tensioned.
Making the oil thicker thinking it is better is a mistake on these motors where it may be ok for other designs.
The tensioners will wear faster during cold starts and warm up.
If you lose them, there will be no gain in the end.

 

STP is an oil thickener. That's a no-no in the Triton. If your engine is not burning oil, leave it alone and keep using what you have been using - 5w20 or 5w30.