The age old question .....Synthetic or not

[grainger12002]

changing the oil and filter on a 2004 f150 5.4 litre v8, calls for mtrcrft syn blend...looking for a bit of direction, seems a blend is just that,i have had good luck w conventional oils and change them regularly,first time on this motor,its turning 100k

Thanks

 

[Soundguy]

just me.. but if it called for a syn blend.. I'd either use that or full syn.. not conventional.. etc..

I can tell you this.

My 04 f250 with 6.0 PSD likes valvoline ultra blue HD full syn 5w40 ALOT better than the specified orange bottle motorcraft 15w40 powerstrok diesel oil.

soundguy

 

[Tig]

I'm very happy with how my engines sound and perform with Mobil1. But, the price has rocketed in the past year.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would use a Syn Blend or full Synthetic. I run M1, Pennzoil Platinum, and Castrol Syn Tech in most everything gas we own. Wal-Mart has 5 qt jugs of each for under $25

5000 miles if you tow much or 7500 if not on synthetic for me.

Chris

 

[mikehaugen]

as others have said, I would use the factory recommendation as a minimum and not go below that. As for the price of M1, it has actually seemed to go down a little around here, wal-mart now has it for the same price as valvoline synpower, which is about $25 for 5 quarts. I am considering switching to Mobil now. I hear a lot of raving about M1, but never really hear anything good or bad about synpower- maybe no news is good news.

 

[crashz]

Just to add to the confusion a little, Motorcraft makes an excellent oil. Last time I looked at it, it was a blend of group II and III oils bottled by ConocoPhillips. The UOAs posted on BITOG were fantastic, and if you stick to regular oil changes around 5k miles each, will perform better than most group III oils labeled "synthetic".

Another benefit is that it's easy to find. Beside the Ford dealers, every autoparts store around sells it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just to add to the confusion a little, Motorcraft makes an excellent oil. Last time I looked at it, it was a blend of group II and III oils bottled by ConocoPhillips. The UOAs posted on BITOG were fantastic, and if you stick to regular oil changes around 5k miles each, will perform better than most group III oils labeled "synthetic".

Another benefit is that it's easy to find. Beside the Ford dealers, every autoparts store around sells it.

Very good point. Its actually cheaper for me to buy Motorcraft Syn-Blend cheaper then most regular dino oils at Wal-Mart. I get a good price at the dealership but parts stores around here are high on it. Wal-Mart and some other discount stores have it at a good price

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. walmart is where I found the syn blend and the powerstroke oils.

now I have to hit napa or carquest for the valvoline though.

 

[crashz]

Chris, it must be a Northeast thing, but MC oils are usually priced really low and stocked with the house brand stuff. It goes on sale for dirt cheap and that's when I stock up. When it goes on sale next time, I'm stocking up and will change all the fluids in the Bobcat (hydraulics and chain case take motor oil). Their loss, my gain

Soundguy, I love that Premium Blue as well. It's in my tractor right now. My only complaint is that it's hard to find. Some NAPA stores sell it, but some don't. If they do stock it, it flies off the shelf.

 

[Soundguy]

i order a case from napa or car quest when I get near 1000m of an oil change. I use that stuff in my powerstrokes.

 

[BuilderML]

Hello,
Soundguy did you know that napa brand and carquest brand oil are the same as valvoline oil, All by ashland oil company. Thats what i run in my cummins. Its cheaper due to the fact that valvoline has more marketing to pay for. If you don't believe me look at the back of the bottle on both next time at napa or carquest. I would think its safe to say that ashland oil doesn't have a special tank just for valvoline and another for napa and another for carquest. Its all about the:2cents:

 

[Soundguy]

i think it's safe to say that the valvoline ultra blue premium full synthetic 5w40 i was talking baout is a different product than generci napa or car quest oil.

Hello,
Soundguy did you know that napa brand and carquest brand oil are the same as valvoline oil, All by ashland oil company. Thats what i run in my cummins. Its cheaper due to the fact that valvoline has more marketing to pay for. If you don't believe me look at the back of the bottle on both next time at napa or carquest. I would think its safe to say that ashland oil doesn't have a special tank just for valvoline and another for napa and another for carquest. Its all about the:2cents:

 

[3930dave]

changing the oil and filter on a 2004 f150 5.4 litre v8, calls for mtrcrft syn blend...looking for a bit of direction, seems a blend is just that,i have had good luck w conventional oils and change them regularly,first time on this motor,its turning 100k

Thanks

Good recommendations have been listed. I agree, stay with a good quality semi-synth like Motorcraft, or the decent synthetics mentioned (ie. not conventional). Truck motors, like many things, are different than they used to be (head machining, cam phasers.....), so OE requirements have stepped up accordingly.

I too buy decent synthetics at Wally world, at around the $25 level, or less, on sale. Just wanted to list one other option for you - Amsoil's OE synth is a little under $5/quart, in 5W20 (Preferred Customer price - small annual fee to get).

I'm not an Amsoil dealer, and am not looking to start yet another Amsoil flamefest.... just wanted to touch on that option in case you are amongst the 0.0000000001% in the USA who do not live near a Wally World.

As a customer, I do use Amsoil products - mostly gear oil, ATF, and motorcycle oil. I've used probably all the gas synthetics discussed in this thread over the years, and have had good service from all of them.

It might just be my Canadian conditioning talking, but if you plan to keep that truck a while, I'd change the motor oil on the Severe Service schedule. Oil is still pretty cheap, compared to any engine related problems.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

just me.. but if it called for a syn blend.. I'd either use that or full syn.. not conventional.. etc..

I can tell you this.

My 04 f250 with 6.0 PSD likes valvoline ultra blue HD full syn 5w40 ALOT better than the specified orange bottle motorcraft 15w40 powerstrok diesel oil.

soundguy

I recall reading over on BITOG the analysis reports on Valvoline's conventional HDEO (for diesels). Premium Blue Classic ? Might be remembering their market name wrong.....

Anyway..... Valvoline's conventional diesel oil had outstanding results, even when pushed out a bit in mileage. Based on the performance of the kid brother, the Ultra Blue must really kick you-know-what !

Mostly, I only notice Ultra Blue at TSC around here.

Rgds, D.

 

[Soundguy]

i'm quite happy with it.. even at the extended price.

I could make some claims like it makes it go faster.. etc.. etc.. cures male pattern baldness..e tc.. but that would be conjecture.

one of my powerstrokes see's extended high rpm usage for long raod trips. that truck has a 4.88 rear end.. so it tach's high to make interstate speed. 99$ of the time it is pulling a gooseneck flatbed with some piece of farm equipment tied to it, hauling home from another state. with a 70g fuel tank.. that engine doesn't see much rest on a trip.. thus i feel that is extra severs duty, and try to feed it an oil to cope with it. expecially heat issues. I have a pyrometer and extra trans cooler.. etc.. am running all syn in that one.. tranny.. rear end.. ps.. etc....

I recall reading over on BITOG the analysis reports on Valvoline's conventional HDEO (for diesels). Premium Blue Classic ? Might be remembering their market name wrong.....

Anyway..... Valvoline's conventional diesel oil had outstanding results, even when pushed out a bit in mileage. Based on the performance of the kid brother, the Ultra Blue must really kick you-know-what !

Mostly, I only notice Ultra Blue at TSC around here.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

i'm quite happy with it.. even at the extended price.

I could make some claims like it makes it go faster.. etc.. etc.. cures male pattern baldness..e tc.. but that would be conjecture.

Naaahhhh.... that's just called Marketing !

one of my powerstrokes see's extended high rpm usage for long raod trips. that truck has a 4.88 rear end.. so it tach's high to make interstate speed. 99$ of the time it is pulling a gooseneck flatbed with some piece of farm equipment tied to it, hauling home from another state. with a 70g fuel tank.. that engine doesn't see much rest on a trip.. thus i feel that is extra severs duty, and try to feed it an oil to cope with it. expecially heat issues. I have a pyrometer and extra trans cooler.. etc.. am running all syn in that one.. tranny.. rear end.. ps.. etc....

Yeah.... I seem to recall you having that truck geared to pull a coupla houses behind you !

I figure if you work your body hard, eating properly and hitting the gym ain't a bad plan.

Work a truck hard..... a few extra $ on "the good stuff" = No Brainer.

Happy Trails.

D.

 

[BuilderML]

Soundguy your right i misspoke. The dino diesel oil is the same. The napa brand syn. oil is also by ashland oil same as valvoline. I will have to check if they have the napa brand 5w40 syn diesel oil. I have only seen the napa syn. oil in 10w30 and 5w30.

 

[WilliamBos]

Hey Chris,

The Premium blue 5W40 holds up well in the Florida heat?It is my oil of choice for the winter, may consider it for the summer.

i'm quite happy with it.. even at the extended price.

I could make some claims like it makes it go faster.. etc.. etc.. cures male pattern baldness..e tc.. but that would be conjecture.

one of my powerstrokes see's extended high rpm usage for long raod trips. that truck has a 4.88 rear end.. so it tach's high to make interstate speed. 99$ of the time it is pulling a gooseneck flatbed with some piece of farm equipment tied to it, hauling home from another state. with a 70g fuel tank.. that engine doesn't see much rest on a trip.. thus i feel that is extra severs duty, and try to feed it an oil to cope with it. expecially heat issues. I have a pyrometer and extra trans cooler.. etc.. am running all syn in that one.. tranny.. rear end.. ps.. etc....

 

[don45640]

Hopefully Valvoline has made some improvements since their bad test results several years ago. It scored lowest of the synthetics and barely better than conventional. don-ohio

 

[Copperhead]

Well, we're not talking about oil sumps the size as the one on my semi here. For a few quarts, going full synthetic is not a bad choice from a much of a cost perspective. As for whether you need it, gonna have to really prove that one. There is no real benefit to using full synthetics unless you are operating in extreme conditions, you know, like the Arctic. Or are going for serious extended drain intervals. Synthetics shine in those areas. For normal operating and normal towing, nope. No one can prove it has that much more benefit for the cost. It mostly just makes them feel better that they are putting in the "best", or what they perceive to be the best. But again, we are talking only a few quarts, so it is not much of an issue anyway. Just put in the synthetic if your gut tells you to and don't look back. Most of the brands are solid performers. Look for the best pricing and go with it. I use a Delo 400 5w40 synthetic in a couple of applications and have had good results. Have been picking it up at Wally World for about $19.98 a gallon.