I'm planning on using Valvoline Synpower 5W-20 for my winter oil change (I'll be changing it in about a month). Valvoline's website only gives the typical 3 month/3,000 mile OCI recommendation, but I'm sure this oil could go longer than that. Does anyone see a problem with a six month/4,000 city mile OCI for this oil? It will be used in my '94 T-Bird. It's in great shape with no oil consumption issues. Temperatures will range from -25F to +55F, based on six months from November to May. Thanks.
Valvoline Synpower OCI
- Thread starter erogers
- Start date
- Status
Many people go 6-7k with this oil, 4k will be no problem.
I'm using the Motorcraft FL820-S filter, which is highly-favored with the Ford modular engine crowd. It's made by Purolator. Its anti-drainback valve is located on the top of the filter, as Ford recommends, instead of the bottom like most aftermarket filters.
Anyway, I just want to be clear that the 4,000 miles will be short-trip/stop-and-go, with normal commutes of only about 6 miles each way. I'll drive the car more on the weekends, but only about 15 miles per day during the week.
Anyway, I just want to be clear that the 4,000 miles will be short-trip/stop-and-go, with normal commutes of only about 6 miles each way. I'll drive the car more on the weekends, but only about 15 miles per day during the week.
Last edited:
I chose the synthetic 5W-20 mainly because of the cold-weather start-ups. I wouldn't really have a problem running dino in this car during the summer months. I typically use 5w30 during the summers and 5W-20 during the winters. I couldn't pass up the $20 price on the 5 qt. jug at Walmart. I would have usually purchased the M1 EP, but they did not have it in jugs, only single quarts. I saved $15 over the M1 EP by finding the Synpower in the larger jug. Good deal, in my opinion.
Originally Posted By: buster
I'm using Synpower 5w20 as well. It's good for 10k miles in most applications IMO.
I dunno Buster... it's got a pretty low virgin TBN (8.3) and most of the UOAs I've seen show a pretty rapid TBN depletion. I think 7.5K is a good number, but 10K would really be pushing it IMHO...
I'm using Synpower 5w20 as well. It's good for 10k miles in most applications IMO.
I dunno Buster... it's got a pretty low virgin TBN (8.3) and most of the UOAs I've seen show a pretty rapid TBN depletion. I think 7.5K is a good number, but 10K would really be pushing it IMHO...
I would go 6 months 5000 miles.
Originally Posted By: erogers
I'm using the Motorcraft FL820-S filter, which is highly-favored with the Ford modular engine crowd. It's made by Purolator. Its anti-drainback valve is located on the top of the filter, as Ford recommends, instead of the bottom like most aftermarket filters.
The ADBV is actually on the bottom (threaded end is the base, or bottom) and that's how nearly all filters are. It's the bypass valve that's on the base end with the Motorcraft, which is the opposite of most. Ford did that so when the bypass is open, the oil isn't flowing over the dirty side of the filter element before entering the engine.
I'm using the Motorcraft FL820-S filter, which is highly-favored with the Ford modular engine crowd. It's made by Purolator. Its anti-drainback valve is located on the top of the filter, as Ford recommends, instead of the bottom like most aftermarket filters.
The ADBV is actually on the bottom (threaded end is the base, or bottom) and that's how nearly all filters are. It's the bypass valve that's on the base end with the Motorcraft, which is the opposite of most. Ford did that so when the bypass is open, the oil isn't flowing over the dirty side of the filter element before entering the engine.
Originally Posted By: zulu
Originally Posted By: buster
I'm using Synpower 5w20 as well. It's good for 10k miles in most applications IMO.
I dunno Buster... it's got a pretty low virgin TBN (8.3) and most of the UOAs I've seen show a pretty rapid TBN depletion. I think 7.5K is a good number, but 10K would really be pushing it IMHO...
You may be right. It really depends on the vehicle. Some engines tear up Amsoil in 10k miles, which has a starting Tbn of 12.1.
Synpower has been reformulated over the last few years and is better now then it ever was. The lower initial Tbn isn't as important as Tbn retention.
Originally Posted By: buster
I'm using Synpower 5w20 as well. It's good for 10k miles in most applications IMO.
I dunno Buster... it's got a pretty low virgin TBN (8.3) and most of the UOAs I've seen show a pretty rapid TBN depletion. I think 7.5K is a good number, but 10K would really be pushing it IMHO...
You may be right. It really depends on the vehicle. Some engines tear up Amsoil in 10k miles, which has a starting Tbn of 12.1.
Synpower has been reformulated over the last few years and is better now then it ever was. The lower initial Tbn isn't as important as Tbn retention.
You're right. It's the bypass valve. My hands typed one thing and my brain thought another. As for my "top" and "bottom" directions, I stand corrected. I have to break myself of thinking of the threaded end as the top. I'm not sure why I keep thinking of it that way.
I am currently on a 1 year ~6500 mile OCI with Synpower 5-30. I plan on doing a UOA to see how well the oil held up. From the past UOAs of this oil, I think the oil will be spent. However, the synpower in my mazda now is the PREvious formulation.
Last edited:
- Status