Would synthetic oil benefit me?

[Elviscaretaker]

The main thing to keep in mind is the type of driving you do, heavy loads, towing, high temp and especially dusty environments. I push my trucks to the limits daily with my loads, I don't take any chances with any maintenance issue. Do I waste a bunch of money, most likely. I have peace of mind though.
As far as Amsoil goes, limited experience with it but I use the transmission fluids and have had good luck with them. Also noticed my transmission temp was stable the last load over the divide. Granted, it was about 5 degrees out but I was over capacity for my 150. Nothing like lugging up the east side of that not being able to get over 40mph! I know, get a diesel
With the API ratings, they have changed a lot since I was a pup. Most oils have an SM (or more) rating from the O'Reilly's house premium brand to the Castrol Syntec. Depending where/how you buy, about the same price.
I don't think they make them anymore but stay away from the SB
If your going to run your oil long term make sure you change the filter, don't know of one yet that claims it'll last more the 7500. Filter plugs, doesn't matter what you are running in it. Plus, make sure you check it, don't want to end up low.
Just my opinion of course.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Any conventional oils that will met Honda specs for 0w-20 weight oil, which is the required oil weight on the new cars? Any conventional oils that can span the 0w-40 or 5w-40 viscosity spread?

I was just thinking that I don't believe I've seen a conventional 0-20 or 5-20 around my neck of the woods. Does anyone know if they even make one?
I'll have to pay attention next oil run. I'm down to about 7 gallons so it'll be soon enough

 

[brucew44guns]

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.

I wasn't looking for an argument, nor was I trying to convince anyone of Mobil 1. I don't use Mobil 1 myself, I only told of Employees of Mobil draining their oil at 25K. If you drain at 3, you did the change 8 times with Wal-Mart oil plus 8 filters, each 25 thousand miles, that works too, no argument here.

 

[dodge man]

Dino oils do come in5W20, but I've never seen them in 0W20.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Nice, I'll have to look better next time out. Thanks.
Question for everyone since we are on oils but instead of motor, for my hydrostatic. I need to change my gear oil on a TC 30, NH calls for a 134. Does NAPA, Walmart or wherever carry anything that's good for this?
Just not feeling the 100 mile round trip drive to my closest NH dealer right now , which I realized sold me Amsoil for the motor last time up.

 

[crashz]

Elvis,

I think they do (my local Napa does) , but make sure it specifically meets the spec. Tractor fluid and regular hydraulic fluid are very similar, but the difference is that the tractor fluid has extreme pressure additives for gear contact protect, where regular hydraulic oil does not.

As far as the 0w-20, so far its an elusive beastie. I can only find it in synthetic, and for that matter, only Mobil 1 or Honda branded. Gotta change the oil in our 2010 CRV this weekend, so I'll be on the hunt.

BTW- I dind't mean to be too harsh in my last post. Most of it was to prove a point that synthetics offer a real service to those who may want or require it, but also my info is a little dated. I realy haven't put much time into oil research for a while, as it was an interest of mine that has kinda wained in the last few years.

 

[sw03]

Any conventional oils that will met Honda specs for 0w-20 weight oil, which is the required oil weight on the new cars? Any conventional oils that can span the 0w-40 or 5w-40 viscosity spread?

I was just thinking that I don't believe I've seen a conventional 0-20 or 5-20 around my neck of the woods. Does anyone know if they even make one?
I'll have to pay attention next oil run. I'm down to about 7 gallons so it'll be soon enough

The 0w-20 is required due to CAFE standards, that is it. You could use a 0w-30 and be fine. But this is synthetic land.

 

[sw03]

The high end Amsoil has a few additives that are no longer acceptable to the API for pollution control issues. when Amsoil felt the pressure to have an API certified oil, the phosphorous in their premium line was too much for the requirements. Therefore the createdtheir mid grade oils (Grp III base). The premium oil is still a fanatastic oil, but better for a non-catalytic converter vehicles. But for the money, I was never sold on it. It was a hassle from me to order and cost is premium. Couldn't get past the pyramid marketing.

Amsoil synthics have NEVER BEEN API approved due to ZDDPs; they STILL have more then the limits (think 1000ppm of Phos) and not API cert. Most users do not care since the oils performace is pretty-darn good!

The cat issue is overblown. That is like using MMO in gas will kill a cat...never happened and you will not find anything online to prove it. They created the old XL series, new OE and OEM due to "gain into the market" since they were losing $$$$. It is a less oil also but is API cert for again, market issues.

I am not a dealer etc, just end user (and talk to people in auto field) and the pyramid marketing issue people do not get it. Most things sold in stores are the same marketing thing. Just need to understand marketing, distributors etc

Hassle to order? It could not be easier. It is as simple as being an end user here.

 

[grsthegreat]

my 2004 ford f350 diesel service manual states 7500 miles between oil changes with standard grade oils, not synthetics.

 

[sw03]

my 2004 ford f350 diesel service manual states 7500 miles between oil changes with standard grade oils, not synthetics.

I agree, dino now has long changes. Problem is pull a UOA and then run a synthetic. In my case, a world of diff. I know Ford on there Powerchoke had issues with foaming etc.