synthetic oil

[ragdoll]

I'm debating on useing synthetic oil in my new 6.0L engine which has about 7500 mi. on it.my questions are is this enough break in miles,what brand to use,if you use it is it worth the cost, how many miles between oil changes,where can you get it,the best one it seems is only on line. thank you for your input.now i use Shell Tri every 3,000 mi.

[Art-n-Marge]

I thought I had read don't use synthetic on a Ford diesel until the motor has 50,000 or 30,000 (I forget which one) but it's definitely more than 7,500. A call to the Ford service department should get the answer.

I also expect that you are changing the oil too often. The standard cycle is every 7,500 miles. I use the heavy duty cycle which is every 5,000 miles and that seems to work just fine. The 6.0L has a 14 quart engine oil reservoir, plus a full quart in the oil filter therefore the oil lasts a lot longer than prior years. There's nothing wrong with changing every 3,000 miles but that seems like you are spending twice as much for the same benefit.

Using synthetic should increase the interval but I don't know to how much.

[BB_TX]

7,500 miles on an '03! Wow! That one is just barely broken in.

I have never used anything but regular oil and at the mileage changes recommended in the owners manual. And have never had an engine failure of any kind (except a timing chain break on an '87 Ford Bronco at 208,000 miles). Most every vehicle I have had, cars and trucks, went over 100,000 miles before I traded them.

[ragdoll]

If I didn't say my 1st 6.0L blew up at 56K. Replaced May 09. thanks

[Tom S.]

Synthetic oil can be used from day one - in fact many high performance cars come with it from the factory. There are a few of advantages to synthetic oil. It does not create sludge like many conventional oils do, it flows better at low temps that regular motor oil, and it has a higher flash point. It can be used for extended service, but there are additives (found in all oil) that may need to be replenished. If you plan on using it for extended periods, it is best to send samples off periodically for analysis to see how the oil is holding up and whether any additives need to be added. Testing will also give you proof of adequate maintenance should the engine ever develop a problem. In fact, it will tell you in advance if abnormal wear or other issues are taking place. One last word: there are many oils advertising to be synthetic that are NOT fully synthetic. Some quirk in the law allows this if an oil has a certain percentage of synthetic content or if the oil meets a certain standard - even though it may not contain synthetic stock. SO if you want to get your money's worth, look for "Full Synthetic" on the label. Mobil 1 and Amsoil are good choices, but Mobil is more readily available when traveling. Plus, for what it's worth, Amsoil is made from Mobil stock, so you are actually paying extra for Amsoil's additives.

I have had first hand experience with the advantages of synthetic oil and have used it exclusively since 1978.

[TLightning]

FWIW, my manual says the type of oil does not alter the mileage between changes.

[mlh]

Tom S is right, on all counts. I use synthetic in both my car and truck. DO I need it? NO but that doesn't stop me. Is it better? Yes.
Is it worth the cost? For me yes. for you I dont know, its your money.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

We use whatever Ford Recommends. In fact Ford does all the oil changes. Since we heavy tow we do it at 5K intervals.

[Mudchief]

I have used it for years and the reason is the extended oil change. I have always changed it at 20K miles or once a year which ever comes first. Each time I traded trucks it was because the rest of the truck was wore out not the engine or I just wanted a new one. The truck I have now I put it in at the first oil change which the computer said to do around 8800 miles. The bottom line is most people don't keep and run these trucks like they were made to do.

[ragdoll]

thanks everyone for info it was a great help.

[Glass Guy]

I switched to Shell rotella synthetic about a year ago and I plan on changing it every other year as I only put about 5,000 miles a year on the truck, the thing that I noticed is the way the motor turns over in the winter, It starts a lot easier. That said it costs alot more to change the oil but if I can get by at 10,000 mile betweeen oil changes it not that much more in the long run.

[8e3k0]

We use synthetic on our trucks (diesels) and is advantageous during our peak cold spells in the northwest. Winter we will use 0W-40 and summer 5W-40. We've had excellent success. One of our old 97 7.3s is at 170,000 miles and performs like day one (banks chip and exhaust from the day it was purchased new). Majority of its life has been towing heavy trailers, same engine, manual tranny, clutch and power train..

[timdenchanter]

Based on advice from a man I trust, I put Shell Rotella Synthetic in my 2005 6.0 diesel when the odometer rolled over 7,500 miles and every 7,500 miles thereafter. I use the oil testing service offered by Shell and the results have varied very little since the engine was new. Rotella is available at Wal-Mart. I also use the BG services on the drive train, brakes, cooling system and air conditioner every 30,000 miles based on the BG warranty. After only 90,000 miles, I have experienced zero down time on the vehicle [quickly knocks on wooden desk top].

[jackel1959]

WOW!!! How did you get the Montana to Paris
Jack

[timdenchanter]

jackel1959:

We pulled it through the chunnel from England

Tim in Katy, Texas

[noneck]

We run same stuff Rotella 5w-40 and just this year on receipt of Ford service interval change notice are moving from every 5k miles to 7.5k miles. Its expensive but my first Diesel and gonna stick with the once of prevention. My truck does turn over easier but she sure does NOT like it when I forget to plug in the block heater...starting not issue but for the first 90 seconds or so she does a bit of lopping...I give her about 5 - 8 minutes warm up and go through neighborhood just off idle till engine temp starts to show some life then she runs fine.

[mlh]

I know how you got your Monty over there, it's a Ford. Now the Chevy guys will be whining and saying the picture is a fake.
Lynwood

[mhs4771]

Been using Mobil One for years. Recently traded my 2001 Monte Carlo with 220 plus miles on it and it still didn't use any oil between changes. Now useing Mobil One Turbo Diesel in my 05 Chevy 3500 4X4 Dually with Duramax with no problems, makes cold weather starting much easier. The Mobil One can be found at many of the larger Wal-Mart Stores.

05 Chevy 4X4 Dually with Duramax and Allison, with 2010 Montana 2955

[8.1al]

When I started using Mobil 1 in my race car I was amazed at the difference the first time I tore the engine down, it was like new inside. That made a believer out of me. I use synthetic in everything now even my Honda generator.

[Tom S.]

I'm with you Charlie. Lawn mower, air compressor, snow blower, generators, and all three vehicles all either have Mobil 1 or another brand of full synthetic. I even use it to lubricate my reloading press.