2007 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0L engine oil question

[StevenDAntonio]

OK this is probably a really dumb question. I have a 2007 ranger, high mileage (close to 300K miles). I've been avoiding full synthetic oils because one mechanic in my past told me not to use then on an engine unless that engine specifies them. Regular oil seems to be getting harder to fine and I've heard that the synthetics are getting better. What's the official word on these ? Can I use full synthetics?

Thanks
Steven

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, usually the problem with switching on higher mileage vehicles is you tend to get oil leaks. I’ve always tried to make the switch before I hit 100k. Of course higher mileage you risk oil leaks all the time anyway.

I usually did a couple oil changes with semi-synthetic with either the Lucas oil treatment or a couple ounces of ATF. Try to ease the changeover and help the seals and stuff.

Both of my 00 Rangers got switched to 5w-30 synthetic and no noticeable issues. My 95 F-150 made some horrible valvetrain clatter with 5w-30 synthetic but dead quiet with 10w-30 synthetic.

 

[StevenDAntonio]

So, usually the problem with switching on higher mileage vehicles is you tend to get oil leaks. I’ve always tried to make the switch before I hit 100k. Of course higher mileage you risk oil leaks all the time anyway.

I usually did a couple oil changes with semi-synthetic with either the Lucas oil treatment or a couple ounces of ATF. Try to ease the changeover and help the seals and stuff.

Both of my 00 Rangers got switched to 5w-30 synthetic and no noticeable issues. My 95 F-150 made some horrible valvetrain clatter with 5w-30 synthetic but dead quiet with 10w-30 synthetic.

Thank you. That makes me feel much more comfortable making the switch over.

 

[19Walt93]

I use Motorcraft synthetic blend oil in my truck and Escape, it's what they both came with. The Mustang gets full synthetic because pressure from the Dual Friction clutch ate up the thrust bearing when I was drag racing.
When I had my 2011 Ranger with a 4.0 SOHC, I figured out that the extra cost of Mobil 1 was more than offset by gas savings as long as gas was $2.80 a gallon or more. There are a lot of lubricated parts in the over complicate, Rube Goldberg designed 4.0 SOHC.

 

[rubydist]

The Motorcraft synthetic and semi-synthetic oils are very good and seem to have enough seal conditioners to avoid leaks in most engines, even higher mileage ones. Mobil1 does not, unless you use the high-mileage variant. I use the high-mileage Mobil1 and have no issues with leaks in most engines. If you want to spend less money and still use synthetic, the Walmart stuff is actually good. If you look on bobistheoilguy.com at used oil analysis, the Super Tech stuff gets good ratings. The reason I don't use it in my vehicles is that the Walmart stuff gets a little thicker when it is really cold out, and it gets cold enough here that it matters to me on morning startup a half dozen days each year. But I have not had leak problems using Super Tech.