What weight if I switch to synthetic?

[TxHeat]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking for a while just reading, now I'm hooked. I have learned SO much from this forum! In fact, since I started hanging around here I've started changing my own oil again....for the first time in 30 years!

I'm driving a 1998 F150 Supercab, 2 wheel drive, 4.6 liter V8, automatic with 112000 miles. I bought it new in 1998 and have always had the oil changed every 3 months or 3000 miles and have always stuck to the factory recommended 5w30.

Two months ago, mostly because of Bitog, I decided I wanted to change my own oil again. Due to the recommendations I found on this forum I went to Wal-Mart and picked up six quarts of Motorcraft 5w20 synth blend and a Motorcraft fl820s filter. I also picked up a grease gun and some chassis lube. Yeah, it was kinda fun.....

Now I've found the Valvoline/Oreilly rebate, here on Bitog, and would like to try some Valvoline synthetic....for about a dollar a quart!

I live just outside Houston, truck has had regular flushes on transmission, coolant, injectors over the years and is otherwise decently maintained. Right now I'm only putting about 500 miles per month on the truck and I'd like to extend my oil changes to about every six months.

Ok, finally, my question. I ran 5w30 dino for almost 12 years. The last oil change I put 5w20 synth blend in it and it seems to be doing just fine! But, if I go to Valvoline synthetic, what weight would you guys recommend?

Thanks,

Larry

 

[Audi Junkie]

imo, 20 and 30 weight synth isn't worthwhile. imo, synth oil is for when you want a 5w-40 or a 0w-30/40...basically cold weather with a vehicle that needs thick oil at operating temp, like a Euro car.

If you want extended drains, just do it on a good dino oil and pull a UOA. If you must have synth oil, 10w30 for summer/5w30 or 5w-20 for winter, same as with dino oil.

 

[JHZR2]

That's one opinion... Here are a few more...

-5w-20 is a fairly robust spec, dino 5w30s will shear downb to a 20wt, so why not just go dino 5w-20 and forget it?

-A 5w-20 or -30 oil will be just fine using your current change regimen. Running a syn for good cold flow characteristics isnt really necessary

-a syn will be more robust in the texas heat.

If it were me, I'd run syn 5w20, either M1 or PP, provided I wasnt doing a lot of towing or hauling. If I was using the vehicle a bit heavier duty, Id probably go syn 5w30. Id go by the standard service interval, verified by UOA.

 

[Warstud]

If your only putting 3000 miles on the truck every 6 months it doesn't make much sense to go with synthetic. Why not extend it to 12 months?

 

[JCCADILLACMOBILE]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
imo, 20 and 30 weight synth isn't worthwhile. imo, synth oil is for when you want a 5w-40 or a 0w-30/40...basically cold weather with a vehicle that needs thick oil at operating temp, like a Euro car.

If you want extended drains, just do it on a good dino oil and pull a UOA. If you must have synth oil, 10w30 for summer/5w30 or 5w-20 for winter, same as with dino oil.


AJ.. What weigh tdo you use in your Audis? Are the High numbers "40?"

 

[TxHeat]

Thank you all for replying.

I just want to point out that the reason for me wanting to use the Synpower is that after tax and rebate it's about $1.00 per quart! If the Motorcraft were on sale at that price I'd be jumping on that too!

In any case, I believe that the consensus..... well there really isn't one, is there?

One of my concerns was that Ford backspecced my F150 for 5w20 Motorcraft synth blend, and that if I used another oil, even a synthetic, that I should go back to a 5w30.

But from the feedback so far, I'm thinking to stick with 5w20 even with the Synpower, change it no more than every six months and maybe stretch it to a year. Good grief, that's a long time!

Thanks again,

Larry

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: JCCADILLACMOBILE
AJ.. What weigh tdo you use in your Audis? Are the High numbers "40?"


I can't speak for him, but in my Audi, I generally use Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40 (synthetic), sometimes Delvac 15w40 (conventional). I used Mobil 1 5w30 this winter, since I had some lying around.

 

[bepperb]

I really doubt it will matter. I'd use the 30 in TX where cold weather isn't as much of a concern, but if I got to the store and all they had was 5-20 I'd buy that and not think much about it. The price is right, and it's decent oil.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I drive a Honda and an Opel.

Generally, use the thinnest oil that does not produces excess wear. However. 10w30 does seem to run very smooth and is easily formulated with common dino base stocks.

I say to experiement. Grab all the SynPower you can, I have a bunch waiting for the Honda. I change viscs for seasons, everything from 5w-20 to 10w30.

As for the Audis, even though they spec a heavy oil, I've seen PP UOAs on 5w30 that are very good. imo, heavy oil is mostly for high oil temps, which is not common in stock engines.

 

[jorton]

I also think Synthetic is a good move for the summer. 5w-20 Synpower should be comparable to Motorcraft 5w-20 so you don't have to change back to 5w30. If you don't tow or haul heavy loads you can extend the oci past 3000 miles with either the Motorcraft or Synpower.

 

[TxHeat]

This is exactly the advice I was hoping for!

Thanks to all who've responded!

Tomorrow I head out to find an O'Reilly with 4 gallons of Synpower 5w20 OR 5w30.

Thanks,

Larry

 

[addyguy]

Yeah, the Ford 4.6's don't seem to mind any weight up to 10w30....5W-20, 5w30, 0W-30...they all seem to work well.

Some have reported that these engines get sluggish if you get into the 40-weights...

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: bornconfuzd
Thank you all for replying.

One of my concerns was that Ford backspecced my F150 for 5w20 Motorcraft synth blend, and that if I used another oil, even a synthetic, that I should go back to a 5w30.

Thanks again,
Larry


Just top be clear, the backspec is for any 5w-20 (meeting Ford spec) which I imagine all 5w-20 do.

Frankly, MC is as good as most synth oils anyway. Don't stress over getting the synth oil, other than idle curiosity. Any/all of these oils can go the 6k you are doing in a year. Most of the reason I change more often is for the seasonal visc change. That being said, summer in Texas is 10w30 season!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Right now there is no lower price, brand names dino or syn, than Synpower in gallon jugs at O'Reilly/Kragen for $1/qt after rebate.

Synpower in gallon jugs at O'Reilly/Kragen are available only in 10W30 and 5w30, not 5W20.

 

[TxHeat]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Synpower in gallon jugs at O'Reilly/Kragen are available only in 10W30 and 5w30, not 5W20.


I guess that kind of narrows my choice down just a bit, doesn't it? Hmmm, let's see now, 5w30, 5w30 or....5w30? Believe I'll go with 5w30!

I'll call around, see what I find and report back when I've bought something.

Oh, and FWIW, I was able to get a second rebate form from the Valvoline site when I added the second car, so I'm good to go for 4 gallons.

Thanks again,

Larry

 

[TxHeat]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Synpower in gallon jugs at O'Reilly/Kragen are available only in 10W30 and 5w30, not 5W20.


Exactly right! But I've made it home with my loot, er, 4 gallons of Synpower 5w30 and have filled out the rebate forms for tomorrows mail.

I'm a sucker for cheap good stuff and free junk!

Thanks all for your feedback!

Larry

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
As for the Audis, even though they spec a heavy oil, I've seen PP UOAs on 5w30 that are very good. imo, heavy oil is mostly for high oil temps, which is not common in stock engines.


Quite right. I used 5w30 this winter, with no issues whatsoever. To get even that up to higher temperatures (i.e. roughly 70 C), it took about ten minutes at 140 km/h. Aside from that little test, I'm easy on my car, probably too easy on it.