What is the concensus on Valvoline Synthetic oil or any synthetic oils in a 1998 F-150? My wife picked me up some oil earlier today and she bought the synthetic oil not knowing the difference.
Does Ford have any thing to say about these oils?

Thanks

Mike

 

It will not hurt a thing.. Run it for 3k miles, if you think you see a positive benefit from the synthetic (cooler temps, better mpg, more power), then you can consider sticking with the synthetic..

In my opinion you just paid more than you should have for a simple oil change, as I predict you won't see any difference..

For sure though, it will not hurt your engine in any way (as long as you have the correct weight).


As far as 'Fords' statemetns on synthetics. In 2001 Ford went to recommending 5w-20 in most of its vehicles. The Ford Motorcraft brand of 5w-20 is a synthetic.

 

For what its worth, when I changed the fluid in my tranny I put synthetic in it. I also picked up 20 miles per tank of fuel.

 

That oil my wife brought home is a blend oil, not a 100% synthetic. Is there much difference?

 

So long as it meets the weight requirement you are looking to meet, there shouldn't be any problems. I've run the Valvoline Durablend Product in my truck now for 146,000 miles with zero problems. Some will debate endlessly on the merits and problems with synthetics and dino oil and blends, my take is so long as its rated for its weight and you change regularly there won't be any issues for a long time to come.

 

Thanks Gopher. The oil I have is the Durablend also. It sounds like great oil from the info they supply on it.

 

I use Mobil1 in my truck and will stay with that. I change every 3000 miles and I haven't noticed a change in temp., mileage, etc.
I believe it is better then any basic oil, and at $21.00 for a six pack @ Sam's Club............I'll use it. For an extra $13.00 per oil change then so be it. I'm looking to get at least 250,000 miles on this truck, and this oil along with proper maint. will get me there.

I know a guy with a Chevy Tahoe (1994) that has 314,000 miles and he uses Mobile1.

I have been told by my Mechanic that I should not change to normal oil now that I've been using Synthetic oil.

 

I have used Valvoline Synpower since I have had my truck, at 118,000 miles now with never one problem. I change around every 3,000 miles. I used to use Durablend in everything else, but I decided to use fully synthetic in my F-150.
I have also heard that you shouldn't go back to regular oil after using synthetic, but I never tried it.

 

Yes. That "blend" is likely 10-20% synthetic. A sham in other words.

 

The language in the extended protection plan was written by an insurance company, and is definitely intended to intimidate you into changing your oil every 3,000 miles. They are doing everything they can to try to limit their liability for claims and create “wiggle” room. What’s new!

All of the vehicle OEMs in the U.S. have agreed that a warranty cannot be denied because a customer was using any brand of motor oil at any length drain interval unless an engine failure was directly attributable to the oil or drain interval. For example, if your radio, power steering unit, air conditioner, etc., broke down, they could not void the warranty that covers those items because you were changing your engine oil at 6,500 miles or one year. If it is not an oil related failure, they cannot void the warranty. The law supports this position.


Hope this helps