Changing from Dino to Synthetic Oil after 100K?

[SR5]

Yes you can change to a full synthetic, you shouldn't have any problems. I think it is a good idea with a turbo engine, as synthetic oils are better with the heat generated in a turbo. I do hear the Ecoboost engine is well designed in this regard anyway.

I think the 3.5L EcoBoost engine required 5W-30 with Ford specification WSS-M2C929-A

Valvoline make a SynPower DX1 5W-30 which is API SN/CF, GF-5, GM Dexos 1, Ford WSS M2C946-A & M2C929-A and Chrysler MS 6395.

I believe Mobil 1 New Vehicle Formula, is another oil that has the same ratings as above.

Both are full synthetic 5W-30 oils.

I'm sure both of these would be excellent oils for you. You can probably find some others too.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: stchman
How does someone put that many miles on a vehicle that fast?

To the OP:

I was under the impression that Ford required a full synthetic or synthetic blend oil in their Ecoboost engines?



That is a year's worth for some people!

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I would use full synthetic in a turbo charged engine, in this cas I would do 2-3 shorten OCI's(oil change intervals) about 4-5k miles to clean up whatever left in the engine after so many dino oil changes, then extend OCI to 7-8k miles but no more than once a year.



Thank you HTSS_TR

I would recommend you chck to see how your forced air is lubricated. I dont know muc about them- super and turbo, but some may use engine oil while some may be internally lubricated.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: Bigdaddyeasy
Originally Posted By: JLaz
I just purchased a used 2011 Flex AWD with EcoBoost 3.5 engine and 108K miles. The previous owner gave me the service records and I found that her first Ford dealer was using a synthetic blend, 5W-30 for the first 43,000 miles. The owner then moved and her new Ford dealer used the standard, all Dino, 5W-30 oil at each oil change (ranged from 5000 to 7500 miles between changes)up to 108,000 miles.

I would like to switch to synthetic oil, but am not sure it that is wise at this point. Will I be subjecting the engine to any problems due to the sludge build up from the standard Dino oil? If I make the switch, I would appreciate your thoughts on what oil to use in this 3.5 EcoBoost engine.

Thanks,
JLaz

You can use a full synthetic if u want.
My suggestion is to definitely stay with at least 5w30 with a turbo or go up to a 40. Maxlife semi synthetic or full synthetic would be a great choice.




I would recommend a n SAE20 for small twin turbos.

 

[Branson304]

I'm gonna chime in again & tell you my opinion on oil weight. If Ford told you to use 5W-30, then use it. No need to screw around with any other weight as some have suggested. Why is it so hard to just use what is recommended? Ford built the motor, I'm pretty sure they know what is best for it.

 

[stchman]

Originally Posted By: Branson304
I'm gonna chime in again & tell you my opinion on oil weight. If Ford told you to use 5W-30, then use it. No need to screw around with any other weight as some have suggested. Why is it so hard to just use what is recommended? Ford built the motor, I'm pretty sure they know what is best for it.


I could not agree more.

 

[GenaFishbeck]

Originally Posted By: JLaz
I just purchased a used 2011 Flex AWD with EcoBoost 3.5 engine and 108K miles. The previous owner gave me the service records and I found that her first Ford dealer was using a synthetic blend, 5W-30 for the first 43,000 miles. The owner then moved and her new Ford dealer used the standard, all Dino, 5W-30 oil at each oil change (ranged from 5000 to 7500 miles between changes)up to 108,000 miles.

I would like to switch to synthetic oil, but am not sure it that is wise at this point. Will I be subjecting the engine to any problems due to the sludge build up from the standard Dino oil? If I make the switch, I would appreciate your thoughts on what oil to use in this 3.5 EcoBoost engine.

Thanks,
JLaz


Hello JLaz - There shouldn’t be any problem going back to a full synthetic at this point in your vehicle’s life. Since it meets the Ford M2C946 specification, we would recommend Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30 for your Flex. However, if you aren’t worried about meeting the Ford specification (since your car is out of warranty), you could also consider Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage 5W-30 Full Synthetic motor oil. It’s our first of its kind full synthetic high mileage motor oil made from natural gas and is specifically designed to deliver less oil burn off than other high mileage oils in older engines. Hope this info helps! – The Pennzoil Team

 

[GBL]

I change my oil when the truck tells me to and that has always been at 10000 miles. Originally I used a Halvoline dino and the UOA results weren't bad but not great. After seeing the results and reading the manual (I know, I know...) I found I should have been using a semi-synthetic. I use Kendall 5W-30 semi only because the Firestone next to my work does it for $30 and using 6 quarts I can't beat that doing it myself. The results have been stellar. I don't have any preference towards the brand or Firestone but was just looking for the semi-synthetic at a good cost. I will be getting my UOA results back next week and I'll post it. At 123,000 miles it burns no oil at all, nada.

In regards to the oil weight I'd use the specified 5W-30 as the ECO has a tendency to push some fuel into it and the UOA results show it ends up nearer to a 5W-20. I think that is why Ford specifies the 5W-30 in the ECO while in the other engines they say to use 5W-20.

 

[Nissan101]

you "SHOULD" be fine...i switched to RP from valvoline conventional at 120000km and the only problem i had was the valve cover gasket and spark plug seals leaked, it was easily changed though and since then no problems

 

[KitaCam]

I switched over @ 100k miles and noticed a bit more oil consumption (1/4qt per 3k vs 1.5k now)...but I don't sweat the small stuff...the engine sounds and runs smooth and quiet...

 

[fdcg27]

I'll give you my practical experience.
I've put a variety of cars we've bought used over the years on a synthetic diet without issues.
Check my sig.
We bought the Focus with 87K and the '02 Accord with 119K.
I'd bet a paycheck that neither had seen syn oil before they came into my hands and neither has shown either leaks or consumption since.
I've had the same results with a number of other cars over the years.
There is a myth that synthetic oil causes leaks that dates from the bad old days of low volatility PAOs that lacked adequate seal conditioner adds.
This problem was once real but was resolved decades ago.
I'd use a syn in this little turbo engine moving the massive and heavy Flex myself, but any API SN 5W-30 would probably allow the engine to run well for as long as the rest of the assembly will last.

 

[greenbalot]

I got my 94 dakota around 110k miles. Used to be a patrol truck from an airfield before I bought it.

Although it was maintained properly. I highly doubt the company used the best synthetic oil money can buy, prolly going with the lowest bidder fleet oil and filter.

Been using M1 10w 30 since I got it (now it has 145k). No fancy high mileage stuff. Never really had problems. Aside from wear and tear items.

You'll be fine. As long as follow your car's maintenance schedule and using the kind of oil they recommend.

 

[Brad_C]

I put a 1982 Volvo B23 motor on synthetic (M1 5w30) at ~480,000km (300k miles) and it did not cause leaks or increase consumption (it burned about 500ml/10,000km).

I put my current motor (1989 B230) on synthetic at 400,000km (250k miles) but that's not a fair comparo as I replaced all the seals at the same time.

I've had a lot of cars and I've always bought them with well in excess of 200,000km on them and switched them all to M1 from the cheap convention the previous owners used. None have ever leaked.

I'm sure it happened, I've just never seen it or known anyone who's seen it personally.

 

[Wildcard]

I switched to synthetic right when i bought my car. I was worried about it leaking so i was literally checking every few days for months lol. No leaks and its been almost two years. Once the paranoia died down i just check every two weeks or so just to see how its doing, talk to it a little.

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: JLaz
I just purchased a used 2011 Flex AWD with EcoBoost 3.5 engine and 108K miles. The previous owner gave me the service records and I found that her first Ford dealer was using a synthetic blend, 5W-30 for the first 43,000 miles. The owner then moved and her new Ford dealer used the standard, all Dino, 5W-30 oil at each oil change (ranged from 5000 to 7500 miles between changes)up to 108,000 miles.

I would like to switch to synthetic oil, but am not sure it that is wise at this point. Will I be subjecting the engine to any problems due to the sludge build up from the standard Dino oil? If I make the switch, I would appreciate your thoughts on what oil to use in this 3.5 EcoBoost engine.

Thanks,
JLaz


No I would not bother.

Syn blend good enough even better if it has OEM approvals which is more important than full syn BITOG myth.