Synthetic, or not Synthetic, that is the question

[LBCaterson]

Hey ya'll!
I've been thinking of running synthetic oil, but I've heard from 4.0 guys that there engines only ran worse and their MPGs suffered when they tried it. Have any of you gone full synthetic, how did things work out for you? any changes?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

From all I hear synthetic is better unless your engine is leaking oil it will leak worse with synthetic. I put it in my 83 2.8 after fixing the leaks and I can see a definate improvment in pressure when up to temp and performance. 5W30 and a good filter (motorcraft) pour a cup of ATF in the crankcase and bring it up to operating temp first then drain it hot to clean out the journals. I ran synthetic for a week then did the flush again. ATF is high detergent and dont run it at high speeds with it in. I plan on doing the ATF just prior to every oil change but that is just me.

 

[Froggmann]

I don't have any experience with full synthetic. I did recently switch my 150k mile motor over to MC 5w-20 synthetic blend from Wally World, previously used Valvoline Dino.

The engine is quieter and much smoother, especially in the 3000-4500 range, fuel economy might have improved slightly. The oil is cheap too, 11.50 for a 5 quart jug.

 

[Big Jim M]

You can use it if you want!

Hey ya'll!
I've been thinking of running synthetic oil, but I've heard from 4.0 guys that there engines only ran worse and their MPGs suffered when they tried it. Have any of you gone full synthetic, how did things work out for you? any changes?

But there CAN BE no differences in wear, pressure, compression, milage, power or any other thing I might not be able to think of right now!
It is simply oil that will withstand higher temps than our engines can produce. Besides the high temps there is nothing else different from regular oil.. It is just advertised more and therefore costs more.
All oil id the same! It comes from the depth of the earth and oils our machinery! Synthetic oil is simply DINO oil same as all other oil.. It has been processed to withstand higher heat for particular uses...none of which are our Rangers.
Your best bet is to use walMart brand as it seems to be the cheapest around here.. Change it every 8 or 10K and you should be good. Since all oil is the same, it is now canned in 3 or 4 seperate places in our country. These places can the oil for EVERYONE! They use the oil on hand from the nearestsources.this oil is canned and badged with different brands on the labels..
All oil is the same!!! You no longer get different oil in different colored cans.
Big JIm

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't have any experience with full synthetic. I did recently switch my 150k mile motor over to MC 5w-20 synthetic blend from Wally World, previously used Valvoline Dino.

The engine is quieter and much smoother, especially in the 3000-4500 range, fuel economy might have improved slightly. The oil is cheap too, 11.50 for a 5 quart jug.

+1, can't beat it. The Motorcraft filters are pretty cheap there too.

I go 3-4k on a change. The shop my brother works at has put 3 engines in that tried the 10k or slightly over interval so far this year, I have no want to experiment with my engine. If you don't drive it much, change it sooner too, those short trips without reaching full operating temp is murder on oil.

 

[modelageek]

pictue a gymnasium floor, half the floor is filled with all different size balls, from tennis balls to beachballs. the other half is filled with just tennis balls. oil is made up of molecules. regular oil is the side of the gym with all different sizes. synthetic oil is the side with tennis balls. that is why if you have an oil leak it will leak more because all the "molecules/balls" are smaller.

I also do the ear test. when i put synthetic oil in my engine it sound much better, practically no lower end noise etc, I am a believer in syn oil.

 

[Big Jim M]

Consumer Reports

In July 1996, Consumer Reports published the results of a two year motor oil test involving a fleet of 75 New York taxi cabs and found no noticeable advantage of synthetic oil over regular mineral oil. In their article, they noted that "Big-city cabs don't see many cold start-ups or long periods of high speed driving in extreme heat. But our test results relate to the most common type of severe service — stop-and-go city driving."
There ya go! Put that in your pipe and smoke it! No matter what you might have fantasized about that stuff...it don't and cannot happen!! It is just oil!
Big JIm

 

[bcost882]

eh whatever, i will still think all oil is not the same but eh what can you do.

 

[exbass94]

In July 1996, Consumer Reports published the results of a two year motor oil test involving a fleet of 75 New York taxi cabs and found no noticeable advantage of synthetic oil over regular mineral oil. In their article, they noted that "Big-city cabs don't see many cold start-ups or long periods of high speed driving in extreme heat. But our test results relate to the most common type of severe service — stop-and-go city driving."
There ya go! Put that in your pipe and smoke it! No matter what you might have fantasized about that stuff...it don't and cannot happen!! It is just oil!
Big JIm

This study disagrees with that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KGll3zsJFY

You are right about SOME synthetic oils simply being highly refined conventional oil. But a lot of it is made from natural gas and is much better. (Google PAO based synthetics)

I always dread when an oil topic comes up here because there are so many misconceptions and myths that get spread around it is ridiculous. I don't have much time right now, but by tomorrow night I will write a lengthy post about oils and the benefits of synthetic.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

In July 1996, Consumer Reports published the results of a two year motor oil test involving a fleet of 75 New York taxi cabs and found no noticeable advantage of synthetic oil over regular mineral oil. In their article, they noted that "Big-city cabs don't see many cold start-ups or long periods of high speed driving in extreme heat. But our test results relate to the most common type of severe service — stop-and-go city driving."
There ya go! Put that in your pipe and smoke it! No matter what you might have fantasized about that stuff...it don't and cannot happen!! It is just oil!
Big JIm

What about those that do see cold starts and cold runs? Like a 3 mile commute? That is what is the hardest on an engine.

And my Ranger smokes it THEN puts it in the pipe.

 

[Froggmann]

But there CAN BE no differences in wear, pressure, compression, milage, power or any other thing I might not be able to think of right now!
It is simply oil that will withstand higher temps than our engines can produce. Besides the high temps there is nothing else different from regular oil.. It is just advertised more and therefore costs more.
All oil id the same! It comes from the depth of the earth and oils our machinery! Synthetic oil is simply DINO oil same as all other oil.. It has been processed to withstand higher heat for particular uses...none of which are our Rangers.
Your best bet is to use walMart brand as it seems to be the cheapest around here.. Change it every 8 or 10K and you should be good. Since all oil is the same, it is now canned in 3 or 4 seperate places in our country. These places can the oil for EVERYONE! They use the oil on hand from the nearestsources.this oil is canned and badged with different brands on the labels..
All oil is the same!!! You no longer get different oil in different colored cans.
Big JIm

I respectfully disagree, all oil is not the same.

8-10k mile oil change intervals is excessive.

 

[98RangerXLT]

the owners manual pretty much puts it out there..If it says 3-4k, then you need to change it then.

my wifes car says that it can go 5-7k if the car is driven more for long periods of time and 3k if its constant stop and go or short trip interval..

but each car is different. I trust the manual, its not meant to mislead you.

 

[modelageek]

I get Mobil one and a MC filter for less than $20 I change my oil about 3 times a year. that is $60. if i used a good conventional oil it would probably be about $14 for a yearly total of $42..it costs be $18 a year for synthetic...... my engine sounds much better on it.......I am happy

 

[Scrambler82]

I run the 5-20 Mobile1 full synth.
Haven’t noticed any milage change but maybe the engine runs with a little less noise.
I change the MC Oil filter every three months and the oil every six (if on time).
Cost is Oil $28 / six quarts or two oil changes and the filters usually around $4, x2 or $8 / per 2 Oil changes.
X2 for a year’s worth = $72/yr.
Not even sure how that adds up against regular oil.

 

[mixwell]

I just changed my oil a few weeks ago and used synthetic for the first time as they pep boys had a good deal on 5 qt and filter for like $17.. Anyways I would figure synthetic (man made) would be better scientifically as you can perfect the oil but I don't know.. My engine has 103,000 on it and to be honest I don't really see any difference.. I usually just look for the deals of 5 qt + filter when I change my oil.