Just recently purchased my 1st brand new F-150! I had read all of the good thing on Mobil 1 and synthetics in general so decided to use them in my truck. But I found out later on that I should have waited untill it was broke-in. I read the owner's manual front to back and the only break-in mileage it give is 1000, and doesn't mention not using a synthetic for a specified mileage.
So my question is: Should I have waited longer to use syn. or is 1000 ok. If it isn't did I do damage, and switch back right away?
Hope someone can help.
Thanks,
Lil Joe

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2001 F-150 XLT
SUPER CAB
4.6L AUTO
TOW PACKAGE

K&N FIPK
SUPERCHIP

 

Keep an eye on your dipstick, if you have a good bit of oil usage with the synthetic then you are not broken in. I would then switch back on the next change. Otherwise don't worry about.

I would say if you use more than a quart in 3 thousand you should have probably waited.
Note: use will still use some oil as it is need to lubricate the cylinder walls, and then gets burn/used. Normally this is very little.



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My Home Page


Lubrication Forums

 

jj,
I can only relate to you what happened to me when I wanted to switch to synthetic lube in my '98 F-150. The 1st service tech I talked to when I went infor my 1st oil change said I couldn't use synthetic. After the 3rd oil change I went for some recall/warranty work and the Ford guy who went over what service I wanted and wrote up the work order ,...when I asked him if I can switch over to synthetic,...he,too, says I can't. Then this other tech (order writer) says,"Oh, yes you can,... but you have to wait until **** miles to do it, I just read a bulletin about it." He said something to the effect that the synthetic lubes wouldn't allow the motor to break in properly if you switched too soon. I don't recall exactly what mileage they said (maybe 9,000), but I remember switching at around 10,000 miles,...and I had just had it changed with regular oil at 9,000 miles.
I would suggest you talk to the people at the dealer where you bought your ride and see if they have any "tech reports/bulletins" about if/when you can switch to synthetic lube. It would probably be best to ask several, it seems, considering my experience! Happy motoring!

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Camper Dan
'98 F-150 Super Cab
4.6 l. V-8 K&N Generation II FIPK
K&N 3" "304" ss single exhaust system
Auto trans, 3.55 diff.
Towing pkg.
A.R.E "Impluse" Cap
Goodyear Wrangler "GSA" LT265/75R 16
Emery's Emgard 5W30 Synthetic Motor Lube

 

jj, I changed to synthetic at 500 miles and that was 3 1/2 years ago. Since then, my truck runs great and more importantly, it uses NO oil at all between changes. I think the 8000 mile wait period is an old wives tale propagated by uninformed service managers. I wouldn't lose any sleep over this. P.S. If synthetic was so detrimental to a new engine, why isn't it mentioned in the owner's manual?

 

Hey Camper Dan, this is off the subect here,but I see you use Emery's syn oil.
By change isn't that the brand Ryder Truck Fleet uses or used?
That rings a bell to the ole mind,I had 9 TTs and 2 straight beds and they were leased from Ryder,
Whatever, it makes me think that's what we had in the tool boxes under the sleeper cabs..??

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DOGCAM
dogcam@f150guy.com
01 F-150 SC Lariat
Flareside 4X2,5.4,3:73
LS, SnugLid,Dynomax
Exhaust,Kenwood Amps,
Speakers,JL 10" Sub


[This message has been edited by dogcam (edited 06-23-2001).]

 

Don't lose any sleep over it. If synthetics were no good for a new engine, why do they put them in all new Mercedes-Benz, Chevy Corvettes, Dodge Vipers, and Porsches?
Don't see any of those makers saying that you have to use dino oil to " break-in" their motors. They start with Mobil 1 straight from the factory. That is a fact....

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2000 F150 Lariat Supercab, Oxford White/Harvest Gold, 157"WB, 5.4, 4 wheel Disc ABS, 4R70W, single fact. CD premium sound,
remote keyless entry, full leather, full power access., 3.55 LS, SRW, Class 3, and finally the correct 2.20" double-row radiator....


Mobil 1 5w30 oil with Motorcraft FL-820s
K&N Filtercharger
Penda Bedliner
Solo Radar Detector

 

Hey Guys -

I started using Mobil 1 synthetic in my 2000 5.4L at the first oil change (2500mi). The only downside I can see is that my motor didn't break in and loosen up until about 12,000 miles. It was using about 1/2 quart per 3000 miles on the first 3 changes but now it doesn't use any oil that I can see.

My wife's new 2001 Mustang GT is using a synthetic blend right now because Mobil 1 5w20 is not available here yet. Good Luck!

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2000 F150 XLT Supercab Flareside
5.4L 4x4 with 3.55 L/S + ORP
Mods: Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster Force II, Scorpion Spray in Liner, fogs + hibeams
Billet 5.4L Badge on Tailgate
Soon: Flowmaster Y-Pipe

 

Woodswalker is right!!!!!If synthetics were that good, we would all be beating down the doors to buy it. Remember the wear scar tests, they all show wear. I did mine at 500miles.
Terry

 

I switched to synthetic at about 5000 mi. The motor used about 1/2 quart between 5000 mi changes until about 15000 mi. Now uses none.

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'99 f150 S/C 5.4L
Tow package, L/S, 3.55

 

I switched to Mobil 1 at 500 miles...7,000 miles later, no problems at all and the engine does not use any oil.



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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000

 

Dogcam,
That is the one and the same Emery. The Emgard line is pretty good stuff. This is the second vehicle I've used the 5W30 synthetic lube in. Never have had to add any in between changes.

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Camper Dan
'98 F-150 Super Cab
4.6 l. V-8 K&N Generation II FIPK
K&N 3" "304" ss single exhaust system
Auto trans, 3.55 diff.
Towing pkg.
A.R.E "Impluse" Cap
Goodyear Wrangler "GSA" LT265/75R 16
Emery's Emgard 5W30 Synthetic Motor Lube

 

I had a brand new Honda Civic in '98. switched it to synthetic at 3K. Lease was up this year and 60K later it still never used any oil. Switched my F150 to synthetic at 3500, and 3500 mi later, it's still full.


Tony

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'01 SCrew XLT 5.4L 4x4

'93 Taurus SHO