To go synthetic or not

["Risky Bizness"]

Our 2024 Ranger FX4 has the 2.3 liter engine. Am considering going to full synthetic oil just because it's a 4 cylinder with a turbo. I've always used Motorcraft semi-synthetic in all my vehicles with no issues at all.

"IF" I decide to go to full synthetic, it will be Motorcraft, because all of my oil changes are done at my local dealership.

Would I be gaining anything going to full synthetic for the engines benefit?

Thanx,

"Risky Bizness"

 

[superj]

there are some youtube videos showing less build up in the system running full synthetic but who knows if they are accurate because you don't know what the tests were that were actually done to compare the findings.

 

[sgtsandman]

In my experience, the inside of the engine will be cleaner. Less varnish and no sludge. The only time I saw the insides of an engine looking factory new was when I was running Amsoil in my CR-V. Even then, I would not do 10,000 mile oil changes, if that is the goal. The only reason I stopped using Amsoil was because I can't afford to use it in multiple vehicles. The stuff is expensive. In any case, wouldn't do more than 7,500, but I wouldn't make a regular thing of it. But that is my personal opinion.

 

["Risky Bizness"]

5k is my limit on any oil change. Even if it is full synthetic. I just was thinking that a 4 cylinder engine works hard, and it might be better for it.

 

[sgtsandman]

5k is my limit on any oil change. Even if it is full synthetic. I just was thinking that a 4 cylinder engine works hard, and it might be better for it.

Compared to conventional oil, there is a marked difference. I've never used a blended oil, so I have no basis for comparison.

With the CR-Vs, I had to do valve adjustments every so often. So, I had the top of the engine opened up fairly regularly. Regular synthetic oil was definitely cleaner than conventional oil, but there was still some yellowing of components from varnish and the insides of the head. Amsoil, the majority of the head looked brand new inside, like it was a new engine.

So, visually, there is a definite benefit. Based on what I'm reading, synthetic handles the heat better and maintains it's desired properties longer.

Me personally, I've been using whatever synthetic is on sale with a decent oil filter for years on multiple vehicles and I have been happy with the results. Amsoil is definitely better, but I can't afford to maintain three or more vehicles with Amsoil.

One thing that I haven't gotten to yet, but have seen warnings about, is to check the filter screen feeding the turbo for clogging. I mean to get to that this summer. The owner's manual and the service manual don't even talk about it, but apparently there have been some issues with them. More with people who let the oil life monitor tell them when to change the oil and they only run the synthetic blend from Motorcraft or conventional oil than with people who change their oil more often. There has also been a lot of sludge and junk in the engines that have been treated that way as well.

 

[JohnnyO]

I've been using synthetic in everything for the last 20 years but in a turbo engine I wouldn't even consider using anything else. I change it every 5000 miles. I was away for a few days and checked the oil before I drove 200+ miles home, the oil has 4000 miles on it and was still relatively clean on the dipstick. I mostly use Valvoline synthetic but you won't go wrong with that, Mobil 1, or Pennzoil synthetic.

 

[Blmpkn]

Synthetic all the way.

Whatever oil meets Fords specs will work just fine, especially if OCIs are kept to around 5k. I wouldn't bother with scamsoil or any of the other bourgeois brands.. they're all made up of more marketing hype than anything.