Oil and Tire recomendation

[pat julian]

My '93 2.3 5 speed is due for an oil change...the oil was fresh when I bought it roughly 5K miles ago from the previous owner..so I have no idea what he put in..it has not used any at all..I'm using this truck to deliver small car parts as an independent contractor..about 250 miles per day..I am thinking of the hi mileage type as the truck has 153K on it..and 5W30..please advise on weight and brand..also filter...it will need tires in about three months..running 215 75r14...door jamb says factory in 23575r14...and has anyone changed to a 15" ?? like to know if it affected gas mileage any..right now I get 30-32 on the road at 65 mph...thanks..

 

[ricardo93]

Valvoline high milage 10w-30 and a fram high mileage filter dont forget to check your air filter but if you have the extra money buy k&n filters

Rim size wont change anything much except how much rubber is on the road the tires will be around 27-29 inches

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

Run synthetic. You fall into "severe duty" use stop and go, idling, ect. Synthetic handles the extra heat and harsh conditions without breaking down.
I use valvoline 5w30 synthetic and a NAPA gold filter on all my vehicles.

 

[pat julian]

I should point out the mileage is all highway on the delivery..very little if any in town driving..I like the idea of full synth..but a bit concerned about seal leakage using that..the air filter is new by the way..I had a K&N on my 96 Ranger..made no difference at all in performance or mileage...ran up 500k on that Ranger before I sold it delivering on the same route...thanks to all who answered..

 

[ricardo93]

Not so much for performance but only having to buy one my sister has one for her camry and its cleanable with water or pressurized air

 

[brokemechanic3000]

for tire size you could run a tire anywhere from 225-75R15 to 237-75R15 depending on clearance but this will most likely throw off your speedometer and reduce your mileage. Which if you are running smaller than O.E. now is probably already the case.

Let me guess, You are having a hard time finding your size of tire and when you did you were shocked at the price of those little 14" tires. Here is where the news isn't any better 15" tires are on their way out as well and are just as expensive.

 

[pat julian]

No problem at all finding 14 inch tires where I live, Nashville area,..can buy a set out the door for around 300.00..If the 15's will decrease gas mileage..not going that route..I'll put a set of 235 75r 14's on it..true they selection is limited to about eight brands...but I don't see them going away..millions of cars out there running 14 and 15 inch tires...may not have but a couple brands and fewer sizes to choose from...the standard tire size on this truck is a 14" ..so I'll stick with that..thanks again...

 

[Kenneth S]

A 235/70/15 is just 1/16" taller than a 235/75/14. With the current 215/75/14's on the truck when the speedometer is at 65 mph your actually going 62.25 mph (the 215/74/14 is about 1-3/16" shorter than a 235/75/14). Going with a 15" wheel with a 235/70/15 tire it shouldn't change your mpg. If your truck has steel wheels you maybe able to find some aluminum wheels that are a little lighter which would help your mpg a tad (with a 235/70/15 tire when your speedometer is at 65 mph your are going 65.17 mph).

 

[pat julian]

I have factory slotted aluminum wheels..found 205 75 r 14's here for 49.00 each..just a hair taller than the 215 70 r 14 that are on it..keeps the speedo honest as well..thanks for the input everyone

 

[Kenneth S]

With a 205/75/14 with the speedometer at 65 mph your actually going 60.87 mph, with the old 215/70/14 tire at 65 mph your actually going 60.27 mph. My 86 with a 5 speed, 3.73 rear end gear, and 215/65/16 tires with a corrected speedometer I'm getting 27 mpg on the hwy.