Synthetic blend or full synthetic?

[Ben_L]

I recently bought an '04 F150 with only 19k miles and am wondering which type of oil to use, a synthetic blend or go full synthetic. I'm not sure what the guy I bought it from was putting in it, but the owner's manual says use Motorcraft synthetic blend. I've had people tell me to go with full synthetic as well. Any suggestions? (I won't be driving it everyday and will tow a bass boat on the weekends.)

 

[drewjp]

There have been excellent results here with Motorcraft 5W-20...it's a great value at $2/qt....

If you want to run extended drain intervals(read: 7.5k miles+), then a synthetic is worth it.

Do you have the 4.6L V8? If so, that engine performs well on any oil...just stick with the Motorcraft then...

 

[XPR]

Use a full synthetic

 

[Vincent_Vega]

MC 5W20. MC Oil filter. 5,000 mile OCI.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: Ben_L
I recently bought an '04 F150 with only 19k miles and am wondering which type of oil to use, a synthetic blend or go full synthetic. I'm not sure what the guy I bought it from was putting in it, but the owner's manual says use Motorcraft synthetic blend. I've had people tell me to go with full synthetic as well. Any suggestions? (I won't be driving it everyday and will tow a bass boat on the weekends.)


You forgot to mention how long your oil change interval will be.

 

[Ben_L]

It's the 5.4L engine and I've always done 3,000 mile oil changes in the past, so I'll probably continue with that schedule.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Motorcraft will do great in your truck, plus it's much cheaper than the MSRP of synthetics out there. Unless you can get a synthetic on sale cheaper, I'd go with the Motorcraft.

 

[02zx9r]

You wont reap the benefits of a full synthetic with 3K intervals.

 

[bamorris2]

Here's a quote from one of my recent posts.

Quote:
2005 F150 5.4 45,000 miles.

Here are the oils I've tried:

*Motorcraft 5w20 syn blend - Runs smooth, but has startup rattle, and a little noise when running.

*Syntec 5w20 - Similiar to the MC, but overall noisier.

*Amsoil ASM 0w20 - Even noisier than the Syntec. But also provided the smoothest running motor of all the oils.

*Synpower 5w20 - Similiar overall to the Syntec.

*Rotella T syn 5w40 - By far the quietest of all oils. Made the motor sluggish at operating temps.

*Maxlife syn blend 5w30 - Good all-around oil. Smooth engine performance, quieter than the MC.

*Pennzoil conv 5w20 - Currently in my sump for last 2 days. No startup noise yet (that's a first). Engine seems to be as smooth as Maxlife was. I may be jumping the gun here, but based on the last 2 days of driving, this may be my truck's "favorite" oil!

 

[MKZman]

So there is no difference in high ambient use (like 90 to 100F) between using a 5W-20 regular vs a 5w-20 synthetic?

 

[MKZman]

Never mind. I saw an answer to a similar question in another thread.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: Ben_L
It's the 5.4L engine and I've always done 3,000 mile oil changes in the past, so I'll probably continue with that schedule.



Ben L,

If you comfortable doing your OCI's at 3000 miles then stay with it. If I were you I'd go full synthetic oil of your choice since you tow a boat on the weekends. Stay with the grade that is specified for that 5.4 liter. Maybe a 5W-30 would be fine.

Durango

 

[Ben_L]

I found out that the oil currently in the engine is Mobil 1 synthetic 5W30. I know Ford says use a 5W20 syn-blend, but with towing a boat or trailor part-time, I guess it wouldn't hurt to keep using a 5W30 full synthetic? I just don't like how quickly the oil gets dirty and then leaving it in there for an extra few thousand miles!

 

[REDDOG]

Originally Posted By: 02zx9r
You wont reap the benefits of a full synthetic with 3K intervals.


+1

Motorcraft or any other SM rated 5w-20 should get you 5000 mi or 6 months. I don't see any benefit to using synthetic unless you want to go further than that.