I just wanted to provide a real-world example concerning Mobil 1 synthetic oil.

I have been using Mobil 1 5W-30 in my F-150 and my wife’s 98 Contour V6 since the first oil change. The Contour is a DOHC engine, so I can see part of one of the cams through the oil filler hole on the front valve cover.

I changed the oil in her car at 3,000 miles. At this first oil change, I noticed that one of the lobes was worn a little. I just figured this was normal break-in wear. I put in Mobil 1oil, and then changed it every 4,000 - 5,000 miles. I did this for 15,000 miles and saw NO additional wear on that part of the cam. I have since done three oil changes using Castrol conventional 5W-30. The oil was changed at 3,000 each time. That part of the cam shows considerable wear in the last 9,000 miles. When I was using Mobil 1 in this car, the cam showed NO noticeable increase in wear.

Sorry for the long post. I just wanted to share this experience with others.

Thanks,

Jim

 

JSCOTT, Thanks for a real example of synthetic oil use. I have been using synthetic in my wifes car (also a V6 Contour - great car, check out www.contour.org) and my truck since they were both new. You always hear the benefits of synthetic motor oil but some things are hard to believe 100% until you have some real proof.

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99 F150 XLT 2WD S/C 4.2 5-speed, Superchip, Flowmaster muffler, Door edge guards.

 

Dear Jim,

Thanks for an *excellent* real world example! Another point is that both Ford and GM engineers have told us that the 5W-30 is only used for fuel mileage, to meet their annual C.A.F.E. requirements, it gets them another half a tenth of a mile per gallon. They all say you will get better engine protection using 10W-30, which is the weight of Mobil 1 I've been using for many years now, with excellent results, including extremely cold winters. Just thought you might like to know, and of course you have to do whatver makes you feel most comfortable.

The automakers know the value of Mobil 1, which is why it's been the factory fill for many years now in the Corvette. Also the Viper, and we hear Porsche is using it now too.

Thanks again for your post, and welcome to F150online!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

 

I asked the Ford Service Manager about putting Mobil 1 in on my next oil change. He said they didn't have any but that they'd put in anything I supplied.
I was somewhat disappointed by his answer. I had hoped for a better response - like, "We'd be happy to do that!"

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
* * * Non-Leaking Sliding Window * * *
http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I was under the impression that Valvoline was the best and chosen oil to put in all fords. Sorta like peas and carrots. Am I wrong???

 

Search Mobil 1 in the Archives and that question will be answered rather quickly

 

To all

My service manager at the Ford garage told me that by using fully synthetic oil it may void some warranties on certain seals within the engine. I've used a synthetic blend in the past on my 98 Dodge Ram and had no problems with seaping seals. Ford also does not recommend a fully synthetic oil?? I just bought my F150 a couple of weeks ago and I intend to use Valvoline Durablend which is what I've used in the past. I have a 93 Geo Prizm (Toyota Carolla) and have used Durablend in it since the synthetic blend came out. I just replaced the timing belt and the cam lobes showed a little scuffing but no wear what so ever and it has 70,000 miles on it and it revs much higher than my truck. I do change my oil and filter at 2000-2500 miles even with the blend. What kind of filters do most of you use? Is the Motorcraft filter any good. I used to use NAPA gold filters and have had no problems in the past. What do most of you think? Sorry for the long post I'm just curious. Thanks.

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1999 F150 S.Cab 4x4
Northland Edition,5.4
Off road pkg. Fleetside
Black w/grey int.

 

ALL Ford service managers that I have spoken with are not real high on synthetics, for that matter, most mechanics I have spoken don't see the need for it except under extreme operating conditions. I really doubt using synthetic would void any warranties though. In any case, I am planning on using Mobil 1 at the 5000 mile mark.

I think the Motorcraft filter is just a Purolator PureONE from what I understand.

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)




[This message has been edited by Dondo7 (edited 07-22-1999).]

 

>>>>Bottem line is, whatever type of oil you use be it synthetic or standard the life of your engine depends on providing it with steady and routine maintenance. Synthetic does have its advantages, but if you use a quality conventional motor oil and change it every 3000 miles you will have excellent engine life.

>>>>On a side note, a friend of mine who races modifieds started using synthetic motor oil in his race cars and started blowing motors. He had recently had some new heads built from a race shop in California. After a couple of melt downs he sent the heads back to the engine shop, to make a long story short they advised he switch back to conventional oil, and specifically Kendall(the guy repaired the heads w/o charge so he wasnt jerking him around). Since the change he had no problems with the heads, he stated that synthetic didn't function as well under certain conditions. Being a mechanic, he didn't like the synthetic blends, but he did tell me that in a passenger vehicle synthetic would work well. Just thought I would mention this, any thoughts?

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99 F150 XLT SC 4x4 4.6L
Deep Wedgewood Blue w/Dark Graphite int. Kennwood CD Changer, Lund bug deflector, Bodyguard bedliner

 

Game. Set. Match.

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Ben Mc.----'99 XLT 5.4 SC SB ORP Dk. Red/Dk. Grey----Fact. Cab Steps/Tonneau/Slider----Straight Duals, Superchip, Airaid/KN (non-sag), Ungo Autostart/Keyless Remote, Prime Designs Air/Bug Deflector, Weathertech Wind/Rain Deflecters----PPI 4240 Amp,McIntosh 6x9's w/crossovers front, Polk DB 5.25's rear---Tuessssdayyyy Affffternoooooon----gotta love it!

 

My only complaint on the subject of Synthetic is: IT AINT AN ENGINE LIFE EXTENDING MAGIC POTION; and I don't think anyone has proved it to be. The oil companies synthetic oil marketing tactics have to be aggressive and "limit pushing" to get us to buy a product that nails our bank accounts so hard and this is exactly what they do.

With that being said and as mentioned earler, Mobil 1 is going in at 5K...
Dunbarton's Archive post in ref to the GM training facility sold me !! ('Guess I am a sucker for marketing ploys)

Please don't get me wrong, I'm by no means saying Mobil 1 or any other synthetic is a big scam; but I do think that some elevate the synthetics to a level where it does not belong

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

Dondo,

You are exactly on target. No one says it will double your engine's life. There are plenty of people on this forum who can document 150,000 miles + with petroleum based oils in their engines. These people obviously change oil and filters at regular intervals like I do and care for their vehicles. I think that is the key here.

What I am saying that no one has shown to me that a good synthetic is detrimental to a new engine's use. It all has been hearsay without proof. I HAVE seen documented physical proof as you mentioned in an archived post of mine about how clean a Mobil 1 engine is and to me, cleaner means longer engine life.

I have never used synthetic oil until this new F150 and probably could use any good oil with success. My driving habits would be considered "under extreme conditions" at about 7,000 miles per year with short stop-and-go driving, not operating at hot engine temperatures to burn off moisture and deposits, crud, etc. Toughest driving there could be ...... but I like a clean vehicle including inside the engine and have seen it proven with synthetics.

Ford also uses synthetic oil in the rear and transmission and there must be a valid reason.

And yes, I don't especially like paying 3 times the price for Mobil 1 but I FEEL better doing it.

Good luck with your truck and please don't curse me when you step up to the counter with a case of Mobil 1 to pay for it!

PS: Your choice of color is exquisite! Great minds think alike ........

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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK. Man, I got it all!



[This message has been edited by Dunbarton (edited 07-24-1999).]

 

Ahh, a Wedgewood man, I knew there was something about you I liked. LOL

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99 F150 5.4 4x4 ORP 3.73 styleside deep wedgewood blue ..no mods (yet)

 

Several of the NASCAR Winston Cup teams us synthetic oil including Mobil 1. I assume this would include "extreme conditions."

Have never heard of any new vehicle warranty voided due to the use of the proper weight synthetic oil and I am sure Mobil would attack this vigorously in court.

Personally, I don't know of any service manager who is a qualified petroleum engineer that could quantify advising anyone their warranty will be voided with the use of Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil or any other quality synthetic motor oil.

The facts are well documented on synthetic motor oils. Corvette, Viper, Porsche and BMW use Mobil 1 directly from the factory. If these automobile manufacturers don't know engines and motor oils, God help us......

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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK. Man, I got it all!

 

I started using Mobil 1 in my previous truck at 45k miles and drove it for another 100k with no problems, leaks or failures of any kind.
Yes, I know it was rather high in milage to make the switch but I feel it was the best thing I could have done for it.
What made me switch was an article in Flying magazine about synthetic oils verses regular oils in aircraft engines.
At that time Mobil 1 was available in an aircraft grade. Well, a large charter service, using twin engine aircraft, had recently replaced the engines on their planes and tested Mobil 1 in one engine on each plane while running regular oil in the other. When they tore down the engines after many hundreds of operating hours, they found the engines using regular oil to be completely worn out, while the ones using Mobil 1 were in almost new condition. Also, the ones running regular oils were loaded with oil deposits, while the ones running synthetics were totally clean inside. Remember, aircraft engines have higher loads placed on them than auto engines do.
I know that aircraft oils are formulated differently than what we use on the street, but I felt if it's as good as the aircraft grade, it might be the best thing for our cars/trucks.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to pass along my view on synthetic oils.

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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).