You don't have to worry about any speacial steps before changing to synthetic. In fact, you can mix them too. If your truck takes 6 qts, mix 3 synthetic and 3 of regular, there is your synthetic blend! All these myths about mixing, making sure you flush it all out, can never go back to regular petoleum oil, and Amsoil is the ultimate oil, is BS. Use a good quality oil like Trop Artic, Mobil 1, or just about any of the major oil brand depending on your preferance. Change every 3,000 or 5,000 for synthetic with a good quality filter and you'll be as safe as it gets. You start mixing different grades of oil other than 5w30 and a bunch of different oil brands, then your going to run into problems...espeacially with the dealarships if something goes wrong and you are using some BS grade of Amsoil or something. That's just my 2 cents, but there is also a lot of reasearch to back this up.

 

If you used Amsoil instead of the cheaper brands, you would be able to go 15,000 between oil changes like I do and wouldn't be putting out erroneous information about blending regular and synthetic oils. I think it only prudent before giving advice to members who are not up to speed on all aspects of an engine, that you should be sure of the information you're passing along. Just a thought.

 

Not true...this used to be true because synthetic would 'clean out' the old gaskets. Actually, what would happen is synthetic would not lubricate the old gaskets and they would shrink there by letting oil pass through.

Today, gaskets and synthetics have changed. There is some lubrication in synthetics and gasket do no 'balloon up' like they used too. You can switch back to regular if you so choose.

 

WindDancer,
You make some good points, but I think it's absurd to run any oil in a vehicle for that long. No matter what the claims are. Like many other parts manufacturers that make misleading claims, I'm sure Amsoil is a good product, but this oil does not out performe any other synthetic oil and a good quality filter. NASA was one of the first pioneers in creating a synthetic oil and if there was a better product they would have created it or be using it (they have been using Mobil 1 in the Shuttles for years). Many people make a valuable investment in a truck and for most people this is their main source of transportation. If individuals and you feel comfortable running oil this long, go right ahead. I have done the research. This is one of the most important steps in vehicle maintinance and life. Also, using different grades of oil has been on many discussions on f150online.com, as long as they are the same grades, mixing half synthetic and half regular is just fine (Ex. 3 qts. of Mobil 1 5w30 and 3 qts of regular mobil) if one doesn't want to spend the money on a complete synthetic oil change. Or simply, Mobil has a new synthetic blend, which is the same as the example above. Unless you own a Porsche that comes rolling off the factory floor using synthetic, then you can make the change anytime without concern. If your vehicle came with synthetic oil from the factory, which many American vehicles do not, then I advise not switching to a petroleum based oil. I have done the research and I motivate the rest of you to do the same on any product. Many make outlandish claims to better themselves from the next competing company, only to leave you, the consumer, in the middle. Like I stated before, Amsoil is a good product, I have no doubt and I know lots of people who use the stuff, but I'll never use any oil for that long, not even close. It's easy for a company to make accusations, because to be honest, if something goes wrong and breaks on your engine and you've been runng Amsoil oil to 15,000 miles, the delearship will NOT warranty you engine, neither will Amsoil. You'll be the negligent one trying to pay the bill. To pinpoint a problem directly to a oil related problem is a very difficult situation that I don't want to be in. I wouldn't want to be the person on the other end trying to get an oil manufacturer to pay for the bill, because they will find some way out of it. These are my opinions and I enjoy the responses, even if you disagree.

 

Who is this guy???????

 

Windancer-
I don't doubt the quality of Amsoil- although I am a hardcore Mobil 1 user, and always have been in many cars, I can recognize that there are other fine products. But PLEASE, PLEASE change your Amsoil more often than 15K!!! Why?
YOUR OIL SYSTEM IS NOT A CLOSED SUMP (pressurized) system! There are connections between the air intake and oil evaporative systems in your truck. Dust, particulate and even pollution byproducts are recirculated through your oil! Yes, synthetics are great for rough use, high RPM and less friction at ridiculously high temperatures, but THEY GET DIRTY JUST AS FAST!!! Please do not confuse the factors that cause oil breakdown with those that just plain get it dirty. Amsoil is a great choice. So is Mobil One.
SYNTEC IS NOT- It is not a synthetic oil; it is merely highly processsed mineral stock.
(Although I am now the hated pig, I used to be a helicopter mechanic. And a pretty dangerous auto mechanic! )
So, stick with your Amsoil, and just use good silicone valved filters. BUT CHANGE THAT GOOP EVERY NOW AND THEN!

01 TORREDOR RED F-150 SUPERCAB 4.6L AUTO BLAH XLT BLAH
K+N FIPK / 3" CAT BACK FLOWMASTER 50 SUV, 3" SIDE OUT

 

If you live in the interior of Alaska where I did for several years (was actually born there) you'll be using synthetic oil before long. At -50F and colder conventional oil just doesn't flow worth a damn. This means extra seconds (which count at 1000rpm) that your cylinders go with NO lubrication whatsoever. Conventional oil also gets so thick it won't flow until it's gotten warmer. Even with block heaters, oil pan heaters, and battery blanket, in bigger engines esp its hard to start with conventional oil.

So on the cold side it's got much better properties. It also seems to adhere better to cylinder walls, adding at least some protection on start-up.

As for blends, they SUCK in extreme cold. The conventional part of the oil seperates from the rest, making a sludge in the bottom of the oil pan. Nasty.

As for extreme heat, I ran synthetic in my 98 Nissan from Alaska, through Washington, Oregon, California, and through the deepest desert of Arizona and New Mexico. It was VERY hot the whole way and my truck was about 5% from its max load rating, including towing. Never a whimper from the engine, *(a 4cyl)* and the oil had not broken down signifigantly (I had an analysis run on it, just out of curiosity). The trip was well over 3000 miles, far beyond what conventional oil would do under similar conditions. I used 10W 30 the whole way, praying it wouldn't get too hot for it. Anything heavier would be too much in the extreme cold of the AK mountains.

Bottom line: Pick a favorite and stick with it. If nothing else you'll know what's going on if you DO have a problem, instead of guessing if it was synthetic oil at the heart of the problem (i bet it wasn't).

 

It's a wonder the webmaster allows these threads to start again, because ther have been so darn many of them. I use Amsoil Series 2000 0W30 synthetic and have since 3k miles. I change it and SDF11 filter every 10k miles. Guess what folks? I now have 117,000 miles on my truck and it doesn't burn a drop. I'm not going into this, but there are major differences between Amsoil products and the $4.00 per quart stuff. If the upper end synthetics weren't better, how could the manufacturers possibly charge higher prices? Mike Sparks, this is your baby, if you care to address this issue for the umpteen-millionth time.

Mark
Miami Florida
Coming Very Soon:
http://www.SundayNiagara.com
BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Your so full of **** your breath stinks. go hide somewhere.

Synthetics were pioneered by the Germans in WWII but they were actually concieved by Standard Oil in like 1932.

FWIW, Corvettes have an oil change interval of 15,000 miles. So you spouting all of this crap of changing every 3,000-5000 with synthetic is absurd.

Also the europeans are about 10 years ahead of the US as far as oil drains go. Most of their cars are 10-15K mile drain intervals. BTW they run higher speeds and make more power with smaller engines. So I can imagine that the oil does take some abuse.

If you don't happen to like Amsoil that is one thing but at least get your facts straight!!

 

Dang MSPARKS..you about had me on the floor with that first line!

 

First, I'm currently amsoil user.. (although I probably will switch back)..

palerider:
Certain oils from Amsoil and some other synthetics (such as LE) have additional additives which are responsible for neutralizing several of the contaminates that are created.. This is why some oils can have a higher change interval and some not.. (whether they are synthetic or not). This can be verified when you have an oil analysis done..
Look for post from the member 'OilMan' who doesn't advocate any particular brand of synthetic or dino oil, but shared a decent amount of knowledge about what makes up oil's etc..

Your concern about dirt in the oil is well founded. All of the above oils the support extended drain intervals, still have the recommendation to change the oil filters at normal intervals (3 to 5k), unless you choose to use specific filters that have a higher capacity to hold dirt, thus allowing them to be changed less often.


v8ford150:
As far as protection goes, under normal conditions , I agree that changing a good quality dino oil every 3k miles is just as good of protection as synthetic oils. Like many others I have engines with over 225k miles and still running fine, using dino oils and changing it every 3k..

However, if you start mixing dino with synthetic oils, then you will compromise any extended drain capability the synthetc had. So if you plan to blend, then you'll want to change it at 3k to 5k miles..


For the curious:
I plan to switch back to normal oil soon.. I chose to use amsoil with the plan to change it at 15k miles while changing the filter every 3k miles. At first it looked like the cost would work about even, and I would get the 'extreme condition' protection that synthetics offer at no additional cost, and I would have less oil to dispose of. There were other claims of increased MPG' and cooler running engines.

It appears my engine uses about 1/2 quart of oil every 3k miles.. Also I lose almost a quart changing the filter which I do every 3k miles as well.. Because of the high cost of a quart of Amsoil, I spend about as much every 3k now as I would if I just did a normal oil change with 6quarts of dino oil. This is in addition to the initial cost of 6quarts of Amsoil..
So, my costs are higher for no better protection, (I don't drive in extreme conditions, just normal city/highway driving in NC).

Also, I check EVERY tank of fuel for MPGs. I saw NO increase in MPG's using synthetic. Also the engine runs at the same tempature as it did before, and it does not run any smoother (although thats impossible because my engine was already smooth). So claims for increased mpg's will not be seen by everyone using it..

I know that Amsoil is a high quality oil, but in my particular case it cost more to use it. The only benefit I was getting was less oil to dispose of every 3k miles.. (Wal-mart takes used oil at no cost).

 

A friend of mine just bought a $50K plus HIGH performance Audi with twin turbos. I looked at his maintenance book regarding oil changes. First suggested change is at 5K miles. All remaining changes are at 10K miles. This is with conventional or synthetic 0W-30W or 5W-30W oil. Based on this I'm certainly not concerned about running synthetic for 10K miles in my truck.

 

What if you took it up to 5-6K filter changes I dont' see why you even need to change that soon. I would use either the pur 1 filter or the mobil1 filter. Would that bring you close to even on price then??


Also 1/2 oil usage is not really that bad. How long have you been running the Amsoil? Give it some time. Usually 5-10K and the useage will go down. Sometimes it takes a while for the engine to adjust to a different type of oil be it synthetic/conventional or what have you. I have talked to some folks who had useage with mobil 1 and switched to Amsoil and it went way down. I'm sure the opposite could be true also.

Also know some for PSD owners who have usage with Rotella and not with Delo, and vis a versa. Its really wierd.

My personal opinion is to bring up you filter change interval. Especially after the first filter change to at least 5K. Even long if you are using a top quality filter.

also have you looked at the Amsoil XL7500. That might work out better for you too. You would have to put it to paper and see. I don't know

 

Good Lord, I think it's time to have a separate oil/oil filter forum..this is really getting old. Especially for such a subject which causes so few problems (assuming you change the STUFF out as recommended). Yep, that's right. Use any old STUFF and change it 3-5000 miles and you'll never have a problem.

 

This whole thread stinks,LMAO. Good lord,don't any of you guys have a life?
Your arguing over oil like we live in the middle east. Geez,get over it,LOL.
I have finally ceased to take this message board seriously. Used to be this was a place to exchange ideas. Now it seems like someone has an idea,and we spend days shooting it down,or trying to discredit it. What a mess ,,,,,98

ps: I use my oil,you use yours. Don't try to make anyone else think your oil is better than theirs,it never comes out like you planned.:o :o