Filters to use with synthetic oils

[jbacke]

I bought a new Chevy Silverado 5.3L truck. I've baby'd it for 1,150 miles now and need to start thinking about it's first oil change. I think anywhere between 1k and 1.5k is fine to dump the original oil and filter. (Lets not argue about that) Some people think you should do the first oil change with dino oil and then go to synthetic but I'm thinking I'll just make the switch to synthetic with the first oil change and then change it every 5000 or 6000 miles, at the same time I rotate the tires (it's convenient to do both at the same time).

I know from this forum that Supertech has the best filters (been using them for a couple of years now) but are these ok for synthetic oil? I was going to use Mobil 1 for the oil, should I use a Mobil filter or use the Supertech filter? In other words can an everyday dino filter like the highly rated Supertech be great for dino oil but bad for synthetic oils? Do I need to worry about it?

Thanks BITOG members,

Jeff

 

[Gary Allan]

Supertech has mixed reviews. They are a cheap filter and would probably work well for a 5k/6 month OCI in mixed service. I use them and have had no issues with them ..but I don't use them for extended drains (for me 10k-12k is what I call an extended drain).

If you want the best filtration, I would recommend Mobil 1, PureOne, and Wix (NAPA Gold) in that order. They are all very good.

As far as going right into synthetics, it would work okay. Many here like to use the progressive method to reaching their final OCI level. This is due to the machining and break-in debris that is very high during the first 10-15k miles of a new engine. The wear metals taper off as you approach this mileage. This causes some to do 500-1000 miles for the first OCI (cheaper dino due to the shortness) then progress to a longer number (perhaps 2000 miles -3k on odometer) ..and then settle in on their OCI of choice.

Others will surely have alternative points of view. This is just my opinion.

[ July 23, 2005, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

 

[Filter guy]

The media in any brand filter is capable of filtering synthetic oil.

The filters job is to remove contaminant. That is the constant, not the type of oil.

If you are satisfied with the performance you have experienced with a certain brand of filter then you won't have any unforseen problems staying with your existing filter and switching brands of oil, provided you continue to change oil at the interval you already have been.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Non Ecore AC Delco, Wix or Motorcraft filters work fine for your 6K OCIs -- followed by Purolator Pure Ones. Most Super Tech filters have changed recently. Many are subpar Ecore-design.... easily identified having a black cage inside. The quality in those has gone south.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Stick with the AC Delco. Its designed for your vehicle.

 

[jbacke]

Thanks for the replies. I've decided to stick with dino oil for this drain and maybe the next one too. I used Chevron Supreme and a Purolator Pure One filter. When I get ready to switch to synthetic at aprx 6k, I'll use Mobil 1 with a Mobil 1 filter.

 

[2004 F150 4x4]

WIX also makes a good filter. Surprised it was'nt mentioned above. AC/Delco for your Chevy is also a great filter. Good choice on the Chevron Supreme also.. Good Luck with the new ride.

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

On my '93 Civic, I first drained the oil at 1,300 miles and started using Mobil 1 5W-30, along with AC Delco filters. I changed the factory fill this soon, because Mobil used to recommend that you drive your car from the showroom to the service bay and change to Mobil 1 right away. Many expensive cars, as you know, come with Mobil 1 as factory fill. In the long run, I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference. As a "synthetic oil nut," I just wanted to make the switch right away. I also drained the transmission at 1,300 miles and used Mobil 1 10W-30. I have only used synthetics ever since.

 

[jbacke]

I dunno about filters from this point on... from what I've read on this forum, Mobil 1 is probably the best, WIX is great, AC Delco is very good, and nothing wrong with the Pure One filter.

It is tempting to stick with the AC Delco since it was indeed designed for this engine and is highly recommended too. That's a lot to say about an OEM product, usually you want to stay away from OEM I thought. Motorcraft gets high marks too. This is my first Chevy in 20 some years, have had Ford F250s until now but never trusted an oem motorcraft filter.

This is a great site. Thanks!

 

[Alex P.]

AC Delco filters are pretty good, especially for the money.

As for dumping the initial oil, it might be best to stick with dino if that is what they use for the break-in. As an example: I was told by one of the most experienced GM mechanics at the Chevy dealer that it is not a good idea to switch the 3400 engine to synthetic oil too soon. Said that they have this tendency to start leaking oil, and never really dry up later in life. On the other hand, some motors (like my 3800) are born and raised on synthetic. So if you're going to dump the oil early on, it might be better to stick to dino if that is what they say to do, if they advise you otherwise, that's another story. You can always wait another couple thousand to put synthetic in it, if they have a problem with you putting synthetic in it.

 

[thunderchild]

Hey, Don't forget the Amsoil SDF filters. They have the synthetic medium in them and they are a well built filter. I have used them for 5+ years now with no complaints. Plus they say the filter is good for 10,000 mile OCI's.

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

If you are going to use a premium filter, I second the use of Amsoil SDF filters. They are the filter of choice for my 2000 Taurus, with a high performance Duratech engine. I tried Mobil 1 filters several times and they were O.K., but the Amsoil SDF-11 performs even better.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I use AC Delco PF-59 filters on an '01 5.3. I just cut one open with 10 months/7200 miles on Mobil 15W-30, and the internals looked just fine. Autozone carries AC filters for about $4.

 

[Mike_dup1]

quote:

---

I was told by one of the most experienced GM mechanics at the Chevy dealer that it is not a good idea to switch the 3400 engine to synthetic oil too soon. Said that they have this tendency to start leaking oil, and never really dry up later in life.

---

What a line of bs he gave you...

 

[Filter guy]

I was told by the trainer for Mobil oil that it is better to switch to Mobil 1 when the vehicle is new(er).

The longer you wait then there is a chance of a annoying drip leak. His reasoning was that all of the gaskets take a compression set to the oil used. Because synthetic oil is more viscous, it "may" find someplace to leak from. All depending on how long you wait. At the time my car had 35,000 miles on it and he told me I had a 10-15% chance of a leak. I opted for semi-synthetic at that point. Never had an oil leak.

My new Taurus, I switched at about 9,000 miles to Mobil 1. Again, no oil leak.

 

[mountravlr]

After reading the various filter studies, and after I found out about Baldwin oil filters, I now use Baldwin. The construction is as rugged as any I have seen, and the price is reasonable.