I'm now running full synthetic oil in my 5.4. When do you recommend changing the oil? Do you recommend doing a filter change between oil changes? In the past, when running blended oil, I always changed the oil and filter every 3,000 miles.
Thanks

 

depends on what kind of oil you use. If you use Mobil 1, you could go 5,000 miles between intervals. If you use Amsoil 2000 series or Red Line you could run between 12,000-24,000 miles with appropriate oil analysis. If you use valvoline, penzzoil, QS, or any other brand (I don't know about Royal purp...it's a blend not a true sysnthetic, though), I'd change her every 3,000 miles.

tell us more about your choice of synthetics...remember, not all advertised synthetics are true synthetics!

 

with the Mobil 1 I go 5k between full changes. But I do change the filter at 2500 and then add a quart. Been working good for 30k.

 

I'm currently using Mobile1. What's so different about Amsoil 2000 series or Red Line that allows you to run between 12,000-24,000 miles? If using either of these two, what mileage interval is recommended for filter changes between the oil changes?

 

I use Amsoil Synthetic 10W30 and I change the oil once a year. The filters I change every six months. Before each oil change I flush the engine. We don't put much mileage on the vehicles, but at least I can keep track of when the vehicles are due as they get done within a week of each other in the same month.

I was using Amsoil 5W30, but switched to the 10W30 as it's designed for turbo charged engines hence better for non-turbo engines due to its lubricating factors.

I researched oil filters and the AC Delco is an excellent one. I'm currently using K&N.

Gerald

 

I used to be a 3000 mile synthetic oil changer too. I now change at 5,000-7,000. Anywhere in there. If you change at 3k, you may as well save your money and use conventional oil, as you are doing it no good.

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html

Take a look at this article, see if you can make an informed decision.

 

Yap Yap Yap.


Run Mobil 1, change your filter at 5,000 or 6 months. change the oil and filter at 10K or 1 year.

That's what I would do.

 

Nice article! I agree with it, at $20 a pop for oil analysis, you may as well just change the oil. One thing I disagree with, Dodge4x4, is that it isn't doing any good to change synthetic at 3,000 miles. I believe that synthetic oil can help the engine over long-term use (such as 200,000 or 300,000 miles), and keeping the oil fresh can't hurt. It may in fact kind of be a waste of oil to change the synthetic before it totally needs to be changed, but it does help give peace of mind to those who do. So, if you have synthetic oil and you change at every 3,000, I wouldn't say that you might as well use dino oil, because I believe that always having synthetic oil in the engine can be of great benefit to the engine, whether you run it to the maximum or not.

 

I'm not a chemist or engineer by any stretch of teh imagination, but from what I can gather there are two main areas that determine an oil's reliablity for long interval drains:

1) quality of basestock (Red Line has an Ester base stock with some PAOs)

2) The additives package, which prevents corrosion.

Red Line and Amsoil 2000 series (in particular) have been tested at extended intervals and perform incredably well. I wouldn't run an oil over 5,000 miles without oil an analysis, though.

No matter how long the oil drain interval, I always replace my filter every 3,000-5,000 miles. Make sure you top off!

 

Well, I dont mean it isnt doing ANY good by changing the oil at 3k, but i think there is a fine line between overkill and usefulness. You will just have to find where you think that line is. Personally, i think that the synthetic oil (and the oil analyses show it) is good enough to not really give you any more benefit by changing it at 3k. I think its sort of self defeating, especially given the cost. Its kinda like buying new tennis shoes every week. YES, they are worn a little, but do they REALLY need to be replaced....probly not. I used to change at 3k, but it wasnt cost effective. ESPECIALLY if there isnt any damage being done by leaving it in for 7 or 8k. I mean, it will still protect better than conventional either way.

 

you all should check out www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

A lot of research and money has gone into this question and here is how it stands. You need to use BOTH. Here is why. At first the FAA approved Synthetic oil for aircraft engines. The they withdrew there appoval. Synthectic oil is great for lubracation, but not good at all for taking dirt to your oil filter. It just doesn't suspend dirt very well. Ordinary crude oil does, so all aircraft owners had to revert back to using crude oil. Then, years later came the answer!! Use both. A blended oil that you buy isn't good enough, they are between 5% and 15% synthetic. That's not good enough for ultimate protection. Take on quart of Synthetic and a quart of Crude and pour them both in. The best of both worlds. I, like other aircraft owners do not want to replace my $80,000 engines any sooner then we have to.

WARNING !!!! For those of you out there using just synthetic and streching the oil change period, that's the worst thing you want to do. Yes, the oil will hold up just fine, but the dirt and carbon is not being removed. You are hurting your engine worst than if you just used straight crude oil.

 

What do you mean buy "stretching" the oil change period ? If it's something way over 5000 miles, You might have a point but otherwise I don't see the logic. I've never heard of FAA pulling Approval for Synthetic Oil, Are you referring to the old Mobil AV1 Lawsuit ? I know Mobil pulled that stuff. One must remember Aircraft Engines are not Auto Engines, 'Whole different breed but I'm not saying a 10,000 oil change interval (With synthetic) is wise either

 

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/lng_article/

This link says that Europe changes oil on average every 10,000 miles.

I personally plan on running Mobil One synthetic to at least 6,000 miles but will always change the filter every 3,000 miles and add oil back between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick after the filter change.

 

I dont know about all that.
There is NO PROOF whatsoever that synthetic doesnt suspend dirt. In fact, thats downright absurd. If that was the case, then i should have about 80,000 miles of dirt, dust, metal wear, etc in my engine somewhere.......well....where is it?

Im putting my money on my filter, thats where it is.

I dont put a whole lot of trust in government sponsored testing. If you will remember, your safety rating on your truck is based on what the NHSTA says is safe. The way they test it it to run your truck into a concrete pole at 65 MPH. Its a pole that is stationary, bolted to the ground. You tell me where the logic is in that? Ford didnt score so high in that test, they are 'unsafe' vehicles, cause they blew apart when hitting a brick wall head on at 65mph. I tell you this....i would much rather be in a 5000 lb truck than a 2500 lb toyota camry at 65mph. The point is, that test is not real world.....so..i dont have much faith in any scientific testing the government does.

In their defense....technically it IS possible that a concrete barrier will just sprout up in the middle of the highway.