Forum Discussion

Bednarski1's avatar
Bednarski1
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014

Engine Oil

I have a Ford 2014 Sunseeker and I was wondering how many of you use a synthetic oil. I would like to start out with my first oil change using a synthetic. Thanks for all the good advice.
  • I do not switch to synthetic til the engine is broken in. I have been using Amsoil and one year had to do a valve job on a Subaru engine with over 100,000 miles. There was no ridge in the cylinders and the hone marks from the origionaol build were still faintly visible.
    I switch to all shynthetic oil, engine, transmission, differentials and in this kind of weather, single digit and below zero it is worth a couple of mpg because of a lower pour point. It also has higher tolerance for heat before coking. Subaru #11 went to the junk yard with over 300,000 miles and these are a high RPM engine.
  • I use Mobil 1 in MH and change oil once a year. Usually no more than 7,000 miles between changes. Unlike Gonzo42 I buy mine at Wally world.....5qt jug for #25.17 and 1 qt bottle for $6.36. Never had any problems. Happy travels.
  • My vote is for Mobil 1, I have been using it since 1999 in all of my vehicles.

    Bob
  • I run Full Sythetic when I'm towing, because I run pretty heavy (22,000 combined typically) and drive it pretty hard (Ave speed across the midwest is usually 85 MPH). But mostly because when I'm towing I'm putting on a lot of miles, which means 10-12,000 miles between oil changes.

    When I'm not towing, I just run MotorCraft 5W-20 Synthetic blend, because not towing means more short trips, and I like to change it at 5,000 miles under those conditions.

    I'm just shy of 373,000 miles. Still runs great!
  • My Sprinter-based class C requires synthetic per Merceded-Benz and I got mine from Amazon.

    Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40 - 1 Quart Bottle (Case of 6). $45.48.

    If you don't mind changing your own oil and filter and can wait a few days for delivery, this could work for you. I think the price is quite good, and shipping is free for orders over $35.
  • I don't have near the mileage success of TucsonJim but have been using Mobil 1 in my RV's since 2008, never any problems. Nice thing about synthetic oil is that you can go 5-6000 miles between changes or more (assuming that you're on a long trip). Otherwise probably should change every year or less if you're not putting much mileage on.
  • I've used full synthetic on all my gasoline engines for the last 30 years. I've never had an engine malfunction in that time. Here is the mileage when I traded them in or sold them:

    1984 Mitsubishi Montero - 235,000
    1994 Chevrolet 1500 - 175,000
    2002 Chevrolet 1500 - 38,000 (Transmission failure at 37,500 - traded for 3/4 ton)
    2004 Chevrolet 2500 - 130,000