Would synthetic oil benefit me?

[Toyboy]

I can vouch for a gain in mileage from Mobil 1. I bought my Mountaineer new in 2000 w/the 4L engine. The MPG indicator said I was getting 20mpg on hi way, not bad I thought. At 5k I switched from Pennzoil 5w 30 to Mobil 1 5w 30 and and immediately saw a 1mpg improvement. I still own that SUV and to this day (72k on it now) it averages 21 mpg. On a trip to Gulf Shores I got as high as 24 (tail wind?) but normally on a trip I'll get 22.5 -23mpg. I'm sold on synthetics and that's all I use in our 3 vehicles. I change the filters at 3-3,500k and add make up oil with a complete dump at 9 to 10.5k.

 

[TMR]

I changed to synthetic a few years back for the many reasons mentioned. I also changed from a 3,000 mile change cycle to closer to 7,500 miles...and did Blackstone oil analysis a few time to verify all was fine...even at 7,500 miles. I now change twice a year...oil and filter...annual 15,000 miles.

I must say I would use synthetic JUST for the viscosity benefit...in COLD minnesota at -30F+ dino oil is like sludge...I am convinced that syn oil gets to the engine parts much quicker and allows the motor to turn over easier. Also, stands up better at very high operating temps.

FWIW...TMR

 

[dmccarty]

I track my mileage every fill up and I hand calculate the MPG. The truck's MPG calculation is off from .5-1 MPG and it is always higher than reality.

The Shell and JD synthetic oils I have been using said you should see something like a .3 mpg increase. Which is about what I have seen. Certainly not enough to cover the cost of the oil but it helps.

I used to use an engine block heater in the winter when using 15Wx40 oil. The truck would start without the heat but the engine did not like that thick, cold oil. The 5Wx40 and 0Wx40 oil does not require the block heater. Using a 1500 watt heater, at .10-12 cents per watt for 3 hours adds up to a lot of money per month. Which DOES help pay for the synthetic oil.

Later,
Dan

 

[scsims]

I track my mileage every fill up and I hand calculate the MPG. The truck's MPG calculation is off from .5-1 MPG and it is always higher than reality.

The Shell and JD synthetic oils I have been using said you should see something like a .3 mpg increase. Which is about what I have seen. Certainly not enough to cover the cost of the oil but it helps.

I used to use an engine block heater in the winter when using 15Wx40 oil. The truck would start without the heat but the engine did not like that thick, cold oil. The 5Wx40 and 0Wx40 oil does not require the block heater. Using a 1500 watt heater, at .10-12 cents per watt for 3 hours adds up to a lot of money per month. Which DOES help pay for the synthetic oil.

Later,
Dan

1.5Kw for 3 hours would be 4.5KwHr. so about 54 cents. Yep that would add up if ran everyday for 3 hours about $15 a month give or take.

 

[brucew44guns]

A few years ago, I sold Mobil Oil products---and knew a few sales reps that worked for the company. Those guys had to provide their own cars for the work of getting around their areas calling on Distributors and large customers, they drove a lot. Many of them, I was told, used Mobil 1 from the start. They changed the filter every 5,000, and then drained the oil pan at about 25,000. Many of those cars would have well over 150,000 put when trade time came, still running just fine, no indication of oil related problems soon coming. Synthetics work quite well in extended service.

 

[clemsonfor]

A few years ago, I sold Mobil Oil products---and knew a few sales reps that worked for the company. Those guys had to provide their own cars for the work of getting around their areas calling on Distributors and large customers, they drove a lot. Many of them, I was told, used Mobil 1 from the start. They changed the filter every 5,000, and then drained the oil pan at about 25,000. Many of those cars would have well over 150,000 put when trade time came, still running just fine, no indication of oil related problems soon coming. Synthetics work quite well in extended service.

This is kind of not really impressive. Im in forestry, many wood buyers supply their own truck but the company gives them like $900/month to buy a truck and pay insurance with and the company buys all the gas. Either a situation like that or they use their own truck and they get paid mileage which is around .50/mile. These guys put something like 40K on a year and mostlikely change oil every 6K with dino. I have a ranger that i use walmart oil on and have pretty much 95% of the time changing it at 3K religiously and have put 130K on it in the last 6 years i have had it and when i got it it already had over 150K on it. Thats 280K now that it has. No oil failure yet. Showing wear yes as it burns oil at high rpms. Would syn oil have stopped this, il never know, but it really dont matter as its still a 20 yr old ranger with 285K miles on it.

 

[kenmac]

Engine performance tends to drop off little by little over time so, it's probably not noticed that much until 1 day you notice your engine doesn't have as much power as it once had. Synthetics provide better wear protection over conventional oil. Is the xtra cost worth it to every one ? It may not be. Vehicles, etc, cost alot of $$ these days & I like to keep the performance of the engine, tranny, & drivetrain in the best condition possible. For me, my choice is synthetics

 

[Elviscaretaker]

I used to run taxis in another life, I did an experiment based on oil change intervals, 2k 2.5 and 3k. 3k I lost the motor at about 300k miles, 2.5k and 2k were no different as I put the cars out to pasture after a million miles. This was on conventional oil. My newer rigs require a blend. I still stick to my 2.5k changes and my 03 Ranger has 400k on it, runs and looks like new, goes through .5 quarts between changes. Same with my 150 but not as many miles but a much harder life. If you want to keep your rig long term, change it more often (cheaper than a motor) but if only 250k then trade, go longer. Just check that you are running the right oil and type. Most newer cars require a blend. Just never put any sort of Teflon crap in it!
By the way, a newbee that knows a bit about cars but not diddy about tractors yet

 

[DarkBlack]

I'm just amazed at the flimflam posted here by sythetic oil pushers here on this tractor site.

 

[kenmac]

I'm just amazed at the flimflam posted here by sythetic oil pushers here on this tractor site.

Doesn't take much to amaze you. Does it ?

I don't read any post here where someone is pushing dino , synthetic or any other product. Anyone can use what they want. The OP asked