I know you guys have probably gone over the subject of synthetic oils however one more time if you please. I have a new 2006 f150 and for the first oil change coming up I was thinking about going synthetic. Is there any thing to be gained after considering the cost of the oil? Is there a significant gain in fuel economy, engine performance or engine life?

 

i would use the reg stuff for the first 2 oil changes. after that switch to syn. there seems to be a mixed reveiw on syn. but most ppl praise it. i use mobile 1 5-20 and cold start up seems to be less noisy. also i go 6k on oil changed (thats when the oil is starting to darken for my truck) its suppost to be made with smaller molecules so that they flow alot better. it helps engine wear and makes the engine last longer. its like tap water and bottled water. some say tap has all the vitamins and some say bottled. but i have never had a problem with syn and have been running it for over 80k now on the 2000 f-150. so signs of her letting me down anytime soon. great power still and just the ticking at start up for noises (ticking is normal for my engine)

 

I've used Royal Purple with K&N filters for years.....Just put it in my '06 Scab not long ago.....if there is any power gain I can't tell...fuel gain may be 1/2 mile per gallon...I just like knowing I can extend the oil changes from 3k to around 5k....just remember....if you have a 5.4...7 quarts..

 

if everywhere you go you find yourself pulling a trailer with a bobcat on it and/or you otherwise drive the living excrement out of your truck, syn might be a valid consideration. Plus the bonus of extended intervals.

Otherwise you are just as well off with with a good quality 5W20 or 5W30 - you will never suffer an oil related breakdown for the life of the truck.

Personally, I would save on the syn and look into a remote bypass filter.

 

My 99 F150 calls for 6 qurats it is a 5.4?

 

BTT

 

Synthetic stuff is great, I put it in my V8 Grand Cherokee and I got a distinct .6mpg increase on average over 5k miles. It doesn't sound like much, but .6x15gallons, about an extra 8 miles to the tank or so, it adds up pretty fast. Not to mention about 6k miles later, the oil still looks the same tan it came out of the bottle as. It seemed to help it's slight idle lope as well.

I'll put it in my truck next time I change the oil. But make sure you do it yourself, dealers bend you over and forget the lube as soon as you ask for synthetic. Normally a regular change at the place near me is about $22. I mentioned synthetic once, and they said it would be $65! Screw that. I went and bought 5 quarts and a filter for about $20.

On a side note, try to get synthetic 2 stroke oil as well. I'm serious, my weedeater runs noticably better with Amsoil HP injector than wal-mart sludge I used for years.

 

My truck has had plain old Quaker State 5-30 since new and no problems yet at 55,000 kms....

 

People think too hard about oils nowadays.

Run whatever you want, convention, synthetic or synthetic blend, so long as it has the latest API rating available. Use the proper weight recommended for your engine. Use a good filter. Change it regularly, and sleep well at night.

 

In 04 a extra quart was added to the the 5.43V and I thing a bigger oil cooler was put on the truck...

 

Pop your hood and look at what the cover says. My 1999 is a 4.6, manual says 6 quarts, but it takes 7 to get it to the full mark. As for the synthetic/regular debate, my dad has 170K on his Ranger, using nothing but DOLLAR STORE oil or whatever is cheapest. Runs great. I've got 111K on 5w30 Castrol GTX dino lube.

 

Now, that is what I'm talking about. The book and everybody said 6 quarts. The truth be told, it takes 7 quarts and a pint to hit the full mark. I always run my vehicles on the full mark. I check all three every week. Some folks say run at the mid range. Nope keep 'em full.

Now, as for the type of oil, it depends on your driving habits. I won't use synthetic, just because of the way I drive. I drive the poopies outta my vehicles, and I change the oil every 2800 to 3000 miles. I have driven some of them to 400,000 miles without a major overhaul. In fact, it is usually electrical stuff that breaks down first. Change the oil at 3000 miles and sleep very well!

 

I just bought a 2002, Ranger, 2.3L which has 99,940 miles. According to the Wal-Mart sticker on the post, it's due in 10 miles. The manual says 5-20 synthetic, but the sticker says 10-30. I suspect the previous owner wasn't using synthetic. Would there be any harm to switching to syn at this point? Any advatage to following the manufacturer's suggestion of using syn in a 100k rig? Thanks.

 

Save yourself some money and just run dino lube. 5w-20, 5w-30, or 10w-30. It will not hurt it, trust me. And because it's a Ranger, I doubt you'll be hotrodding it, or towing much, so no advantages of going to synthetic there.

 

Is motorcraft oil good?