What oil for for a Duratec 2.3?

[Tugmaster]

I just picked up a 03 Ranger. 2.3/5spd manual trans. I do my own oil changes and am wonder what is the best oil for these engines? Synthec? Non Synthetic? What weight?
Thanks, Todd

 

[adsm08]

5W-20 semi synthetic blend.

 

[Tugmaster]

Thank you. What is "semi" synthetic oil?
Thanks, Todd

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think it's a mixture of dino and synthetic oils.

 

[pjtoledo]

Bought my 2005, 2.3 w/5sp new.
With rare exception, its had Mobil 5-20 synthetic every 6000 miles.
Currently at 282,500 miles, uses a quart every 2000 miles.
On the last change I put Amsoil in, its doing about 2500 per quart on that.

Perry

 

[adsm08]

"Synthetic" oil isn't really any more "synthetic" than "dino" oil. Frankly "synthetic" is a really dumb name for what it is.

The filtration process for synthetic oils is a little better, and gets the molecules to a more uniform size, then they add some better cleaners, viscosity modifiers and such than conventional oil.

The semi-synthetic, or synthetic blend (same thing) is just what Floored said, it's the step between conventional oil and full synthetic. It's kinda the 89 octane of oils.

 

[truckfan]

Don't forget also to consider the recommended oil change interval.

 

[adsm08]

Don't forget also to consider the recommended oil change interval.

How is that relevant to my point?

 

[straycat]

How is that relevant to my point?

Because, unlike all of us...he is NOT naked under his clothes....lol

 

[ranger1997]

I've never run anything other than 10-30 conventional oil in my 97 2.3 5 spd Ranger.

5 to 7k on the intervals.

Currently at 343k and change. Uses about a quart between oil changes.

I just use what the factory manual recommends. My f150 gets semi synthetic, what it calls for.

I'm a firm believer the oil gets dirty before it wears out anyway, so regular oil changes make the difference. IMHO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm someone who actually drops coin on getting used oil analysis done and compares the lab results on different oils.
Motorcraft 5w-20 semi synthetic (available at Wal-Mart) is an excellent oil for the money. If you're going to change it every 6000 miles or less, it is perfectly fine.
The best oil I've tested in any of my family's cars when it comes to wear metals and the viscosity holding up is Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic. I just use it in everything now.