Mobil 1 Synthetic....To Use or Not to Use....

[F-250 Hoss]

I know this question has been dragged in the dirt around here, but I'm just too lazy to do a search for it and have to read through all of those other topics right now. So, here's my question.....I'm soon to be changing my oil for the first time away from the Motorcraft junk that Ford put in it. The only reason it's still there right now is because my first oil change was free and I thought I'd take them up on it. Now I'm going to start changing it myself. I plan to use 5W-30 Mobil 1 Synthetic (or maybe 10W-30). So, the age old question is, is this a good oil to use to help prolong the life of my engine or is there something better.

Thanks in advance for answering my question nicely. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

While I've got you here, my tailgate doesn't like to unlock. Anyone else had a problem with this.

[Sport]

I'm running Havoline 5W-30 in mine. Buy it by the case at Wal-Mart along with the Motorcraft filters. Used Havoline 10W-30 in my '92 F-150, and 230,000 miles later it was still running strong and I never had to add oil between changes. It wouldn't quite use a quart in the 3000 mile change interval. I think if you use a quality oil and change it at 3-4,000 miles you can't go wrong. The synthetics are good if you can extend the drain intervals 4X and justify the cost of analysis, or just if they make you feel better, but I can't imagine ever buying them for a vehicle of mine. Now to lube the plunger packing in a 3500psi, 750F positive displacement pump; well, that's another story.

[2hotford]

I had trouble with Mobil 1 Syn. I found that when towing, my V10 used oil! Also, I had trouble with the oil filter oil rings sealing properly. When I switched back to regular oil I had no more problems. I am sticking with regular oil.

[V10 Rocks]

Use Synthetic but ONLY in the weights that the manual calls for, 2000's call for 5w-30, 2001's call for 5w-20 I think. Going to a thicker oil may/can cause damage and would most likely void the warrenty. Modern engines are built to much closer specs than engines just a couple years ago. I suspect that those who use or have used synthetic and saw a rise in oil use have an oil leak some where. Synthetic will LEAK easier for a very simple reason, it's slipprier(sp). I use synthetic on my 2000 5W-30, no leaks and no oil use.

[Wayne B]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by V10 Rocks:
Use Synthetic but ONLY in the weights that the manual calls for, 2000's call for 5w-30, 2001's call for 5w-20 I think. Going to a thicker oil may/can cause damage and would most likely void the warrenty. Modern engines are built to much closer specs than engines just a couple years ago. I suspect that those who use or have used synthetic and saw a rise in oil use have an oil leak some where. Synthetic will LEAK easier for a very simple reason, it's slipprier(sp). I use synthetic on my 2000 5W-30, no leaks and no oil use.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You must be a Goss' Garage Listern. You quoted Pat perfectly.
Wayne B

[Tony S]

The only reason Ford went to 5w-20 oil was for fuel economy. There is no documentation from Ford that states they changed tolerances in the motor that I have seen. Also, there is not one shred of evidence that 5w-30 oil is going to ruin your engine when the manual calls for 5w-20. I changed my oil to 5w-30 mobil 1 in my new truck at 2000 miles and haven't looked back. I have noticed a nice gain in fuel economy of about .7 MPG as well.

I have experience with Mobil 1 synthetic in my Mustang. I ran the car from 30K to 120K with mobil 1 oil. During this time, the stock engine survived over 400 passes down the drag strip, many overrevs, and constant hammering of the throttle from stomping on the local camaro boys. I never had a valve cover off this engine until 120K miles. Guess what I found when I took it apart? No sludge whatsoever in the oil pan, original factory cross hatch marks on the cylinder walls, and virtually no discernable bearing wear at all. Basically, this motor would have lived well past 200K miles being driven the way it was. This convinced me that synthetic oil is the only way to go if you plan to keep your vehicle for a time. I will always run synthetic oils in all my vehicles for life!!

[V10 Rocks]

Tony maybe be right in this case, however three points I would like to make. Number 1 - Where have you read that the reason for the change from 5w-30 to 5w-20 was for fuel mileage? Further, If the switch has been made any damage to the engine will happen over thousands of miles. It's simply a case of very, very little damage over many, many miles. Number 2 - I have never seen Ford or any other maker publish anything that states that they are changing the build tolerances on this engine or that. However thay have and will continue to do so. The same engine that was being built ten years ago is built to closer tolerances today. However I conceed with the V10, I don't know if this is the case from the 2000 to 2001 year. Number 3 - If you have an engine failure or internal engine problem under the warrenty I will promise you they will do an oil analysis. If the oil wt is differant from what is recommended in the manual, my guess if you will pay...not Ford

[F-250 Hoss]

Okay, I'm not really worried about the weight. My manual says to use 5W-30 (2000) so that's what I plan to use. From listening to everyone, I guess it's safe to assume that Mobil 1 is a good oil? So I just have to decide whether to use synthetic or dino juice. Hmmmm...any opinions???

[DJMaryland]

F-250 Hoss
V10 Rocks has it right with using only the correct weights called for in the manual. There are horror stories on all the boards about warranties not being honored because the incorrect weight was used in the engine. Oil analysis isn't very expensive and is one of the first areas the rep will look at in denying warranty coverage. Not to get into any brand wars, but I have used Mobil1 synthetic for years on several vehicles, never any leaks, and 200,000 miles on two of the vehicles. However, I still change the oil, oil filter, and clean K&N air filter every 5,000 miles. This can be expensive, but I believe this is very cheap insurance. There are people on various boards that love and swear by Amsoil. I know friends who use Amsoil with great results. But, I can't get used to the once a year oil change. Mobil1's synthetic line is also used commercially, as you can see on the diesel side. Their Delvac products are used by the big rigs so, I'd say that's a good product test. Also, I use their Mobil1 oil filters because of the anti-drain back feature. This helps prevent oil starvation on start up.

No, I'm not an employee of MobilExxon. I just have very good success with their products.

[F-250 Hoss]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DJMaryland:
There are horror stories on all the boards about warranties not being honored because the incorrect weight was used in the engine. Oil analysis isn't very expensive and is one of the first areas the rep will look at in denying warranty coverage.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you implying here that Ford will void a warranty if we don't have oil analysis done, or just if we use the wrong oil? I don't recall seeing anywhere in my manual stating that I needed to get an oil analysis. I plan to use the correct weight, but I wouldn't even know where to go to get an oil analysis done. I never even heard of that until I started lurking on this board.

[TooSlick]

You would have a very difficult time determining the SAE grade of an oil through oil analysis. Some petroleum oils will thicken up by a full grade over the course of a 5000 mile oil change interval, due to oxidation and nitration. Other oils (5w-30's) with poor quality VI modifiers will actually shear down to a 20wt oil over the same time period.

Oil analysis could only be used to deny warranty coverage if you ran the oil too long and it was no longer servicable.

Based on the SAE papers I've read, the main reason why Ford and Honda are going to the 5w-20 formulations is to save a bit on fuel. It's good PR to say you're saving gas these days!

TooSlick

[SamC]

I've been using Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic since about the 6,000 mile mark. It does seem to flow better in the cold temps here. I've not had a chance to really check it on a trip yet, but the mileage seems to have come up a little bit. If you can go by the "oil pressure" guage in the truck, the pressure is higher too. The truck doesn't use oil with it either. So far, I'm pleased with it in my '00 V-10. SamC

[3992824]

I'll just add my 'thumbs up' for Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic. I wouldn't be afraid to use the 5w-20 either, if I could they made the Mobil 1 in that grade. Probably soon. Ford gave it's 'retro' blessing via service bulletin to use it in previous yrs in most engines.

The main reason I use the Mobil brand is that it's widely available. It's reasonably priced, too. I can find it around here for 3.78 a quart, and cheaper when it's on sale.

[Sport]

SamC, don't know why your oil pressure would be higher since these trucks don't come with a pressure gauge. The sending unit under the hood is a simple pressure switch. Anything over 4psi or so closes the switch, sending power to the "gauge". A dropping resistor in the circuit keeps the "gauge" in the NORMAL zone. It's just a glorified idiot light. Sorry for the rant, but this oil pressure "idiot gauge" is a pet peeve of mine.

[Wayne B]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tony S:
[QB]The only reason Ford went to 5w-20 oil was for fuel economy. There is no documentation from Ford that states they changed tolerances in the motor that I have seen. Also, there is not one shred of evidence that 5w-30 oil is going to ruin your engine when the manual calls for 5w-20. I changed my oil to 5w-30 mobil 1 in my new truck at 2000 miles and haven't looked back. I have noticed a nice gain in fuel economy of about .7 MPG as well.

QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I sure would like to have access to Ford documitation like you must!!!!!
So you look at the motor and can tell that all the clearances are the same as for 2000.
Well maybe they are. But then again Ford has an SSM out that the 2000 should use 5W-20 also.
Ford has found that using the 5W-20 has given better millage AND causes less wear at START UP!!!!!
But Ford only spends MILLIONS of dollars every year on research and development, So what the HELL can they know.
Can I please see your docmintation to back up your statement.
Use what ever oil you what!!!
But PLEASE do not recommend your FEELING to people requesting addvise on this site.
I get so mad when people give people addvise that could hurt there motors and leave them with a big bill to PAY when the warranty is Voided because they have 5W-30 in the motor.

Sorry but I am geting Tired of people giving big time bad addvise.
I FEEL I should be able to fly so I am off to find a very tall building to jump off of. I'll go with my FEELINGS and see what happens. Can not hurt if I am wrong right!!!
I'm sure some on this site would not miss me, because I know I piss people off with some of my posts.
Have A Great Day
Wayne B