I need to know if I start putting Synthetic oil in my truck will I be able to drive more miles between oil changes?

 

They say you should be able to drive longer. I Guess it depends on your driving habits and outdoor temperatures. I have a 2002 with 90k miles. I just went synthetic on my last change. Down here in the south (Texas) Im going with a thicker viscosity oil so that it will stand up to hotter running temps. I would not try a whole lot more mileage though. Find the manufactures website of the oil and cross check with the Ford people.

 

Stick with the oil weight for your engine. These engines are not made for thicker oil evan with the temp. It has to do the the clearances in the engine and the components that use the oil (lifters etc). Since I live in Florida I use Synthetic oil and change every 7000 miles because I drive in more extreem conditions. If I do alot of towing in that time I change it early. Foord recomends every 5000 with their oil and I think it is Semi-Synthetic oil. My dad has a Ford work van and is always serviced at Ford. They follow Ford schedule to a T and he always gets over 250000 mile before they replace it.

 

not ALL sythetics are recomended for extended change intervals. make sure you get an oil made for it.

 

x2 on sticking with correct weight and viscosity. 5w-20

 

2x a year or every 6000 miles

 

Royal Purple, when I called, suggested to stay within the maintenance schedule while you're under warranty.

 

Make sure the oil is 100% synthetic. Some oils only have a precentage of synthetic added....if it meets the group 4 requirements companies can say it's synthetic. I use Amsoil. I change my oil once a year, BUT, I send a oil sample to Blackstone labs to do a test to see how well the oil is doing. I use to change my synthetic fiber oil filter every other oil change...again based on the oil sample test. On new vehicles still under warranty....check the fine print. I know Amsoil warranties their product. Just my 2 cent.

 

Using synthetic oil buys you nothing. You can easily run any of the name brand blends 5000 miles. I'm running Pennzoil and Havoline to 7500 miles but I have access to free analysis and every one comes back with single digit wear metals and TBNs still over 2.0. If you just want to extend oil changes, Amsoil is the only one built to go the distance. It is not API certified because of the huge add packs they use to make the oil go the distance. If you have any warranty left and an oil related failure- you're on yer own. Use their oil filter and have the engine trended by analysis, which is another cost of using their oil. Not all engines respond well to synthetic oils and wear metals go straight up. Most of the OTC synthetics are a GP III base and not hardly worth a premium. Like I've said here before, if you are going to pay a premium price for any product, you should get premium performance. Synthetics just don't deliver and most can't match the performance of plain ol' motor oil meeting Fords specs. Yer truck, yer money.

 

Ford Officially Extends their Oil Change Intervals to 7500 miles.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/f...t-7-500-miles/