I've been searching the archives all day and I've become more confused than I was when I started. I got my Screw a couple weeks ago and noticed that it's about due for an oil change. The guy I bought it from always took it to Jiffy Lube to have the oil changed and he thought they'd been putting Pennzoil in it- probably 5w-20. Throughout my search, I noted that there are many people on this list who swear by Mobil 1 10w-30 or 0w-20. I realize this oil is far superior to dino oil, but I really don't want to spend $5 qt. I've also heard that switching form a dino to a synthetic will cause an engine to leak. Is there any truth to that? I'm also confused about what weight oil to use. Ford recommends 5w-20 but people claim that 5w-30 is better for our engines. What are the pros and cons about the weights? As far as dino oils go, is there any one brand that is superior. I know this is probably the most over-debated subject on this list, but any help is appreciated. FYI, my 5.4 has 41k miles on it.

-Craig

 

I think sythetic oil is a waste in a truck with a V8 unless you do a lot of heavy hauling. The synthetic is better, but how hard is that V8 of yours really working? Leave that $5 a quart oil for the guys with high performance sport cars.

I would use the weight of oil recommended in your factory manual. I have had good luck with most Dino oil. I get better gas mileage with cheap old Havoline, and my engine runs the best with Castrol.

My friends that race Ford Trucks recommend the Texas oils and say stay away from the Pennsylvania oils (Quaker State & Penns Oil). My Dad swears by Penns Oil, and has two really high mileage (200,000+ miles) trucks to prove it works.

Yes, I did get an oil leak after using Mobile 1 for the first time in my Ranger. I didn't have a problem using it in my 4.6L.

 

Lots of pros and cons to this subject. It's kind of like what type of wax to use. Personal preference. I think Motorcraft 5-20W is a blend of dino and snyth. You might want to use that while you decide. It is also available in many auto parts stores.

 

I switched my 95 Lincoln Mark VIII to Mobil 1 at about 60k with no problems and my 2000 5.4 F150 at 10k. The Mark has 92k on it now and it goes 5k and is still full when I change it. The truck has 82k on it and it has always burned a qt. every 2.5k. I really doubt that synthetic is that much better than dino, but I switched my truck because I put so many miles on it that I extended the oil change interval to 5k. That is probably too often. Synthetic is probably good to 7500 or 10k.
I switched my Lincoln to Mobil 1 because it has the 4 cam 32 valve engine that costs mucho dollars to rebuild or replace and I want to get as many miles out of as possible.

I have a 2002 Mazda Protege that I will keep on dino. My wife drives it and she doesn't put that many miles on it. (about 6k/yr.)

I also have an old 86 Monte Carlo SS that I will keep on dino. It has a new GM Goodwrench 350 engine, but why waste money on a chevy POS engine that will have to be replaced or rebuilt often anyway no matter what you do. The reason I say this is that the car has 146k on it and the current engine is the 4th. After the original, I have had 3 350 GM Goodwrench engines put in, the last two under warranty.

 

My truck STARTED leaking/using oil when I switched to Mobil One synthetic.

It QUIT leaking/using oil when I switched to Amsoil synthetic. I have about 4000 miles on the Amsoil and will change the Amsoil oil filter at 12,500 miles and the oil at 25,000 miles. I also use the Amsoil synthetic fluids in my transmission, differentials and transfer case. I am happy with the Amsoil products so far.

 

Dude,You already have some of the best oil on the market today in your truck,go to bobistheoilguy website and look at the penn. 5w-20 UOA's,that will prove it. It is also 40% group III base stock oil,which is now called syn,or syn blend buy most oil company's nowaday's.

 

Thanks for the replys fellas. Anyone else feel like throwing their .02 in?

-Craig

 

Are you sure you want me to do that? This thread would be 4 pages long when we are done


My vote goes with synthetic

 

As long as you keep up with the correct oil change intervals depending on the oil you use, either oil can keep your engine in great shape.

 

I use both. I have a head gasket leak on mine and I see no reason to have expensive synthetic leak out. I use what ever brand name is the cheapest. Last two changes I used penzoil 10W30. Any oil that meets the specs for your truck as far as viscosity ans SAE rating will get the job done. Ford went to thinner oils for CAFE ratings. The thinner oils got better milage. When you sell a million trucks a year even ½ a point goes a long way.

When I go play in the Dunes I switch to synthetic for the extra protection regardless of the leak. I carry an extra bottle to keep the level topped up. If I did not have the leak I would use synthetic all the time. But that is just me. Trying to follow Neal the HP freak in and around Windsor is very demanding on an engine. So my point is use the viscosity your truck is listed for and buy what you can afford. If you service the truck at the proper intervals it should last you well into the 100Ks

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Throughout these discussions you will see post as to weather or not the synthetic is worth the extra money. Never a discussion as to weather the synthetic is superior. Most agree it is superior; some do not want to pay the price.
I will use the superior oil. I have had Mobil 1 in my engine for most of the 160,000 miles and will continue until it dies or I replace it with a forged block. Then it will be Mobil 1 again.
If the synthetic oil starts an oil leak it is only because it opened up (cleaned) a hole that already existed and was being plugged by some caked on gunk. It will also keep the inside of the engine clean.

 

Would I be safe switching to synthetic with 40k miles on the engine though?

-Craig

 

Yes.

 

I use 4 quarts of Havoline 10W30 dino,along with 2 quarts of Havoline 10W30 synthetic.My own blend! :santa:

 

I switched to Mobil 1 in my 96 F-150 at about 80,000 miles, I now have 98,500 on it and I have developed no leaks and my 300/6 runs great.