Help - synthetic or Non-synthetic ??

[Neverworry]

Looking to make a final decission on if i can go synthetic or not and even if i should... Please provide feedback. I have a 2003 F-350 6.0L Powerstoke dully w\ about 60K miles and a gas mod chip. I tow a 34' 5th wheel that weights about 12,000 lbs (2axle). This truck is mainly used for the camper and we go once a month regular as rain. I've been using 10w30 Rottella powerstroke oil in it since i got it w\ the recommended motrocraft filter. I need to get the oil changed in the next day or so and i want to get feedback. I can get the full oil change done with valvoline preimum BLUE 15w40 traditonal oil for about $93 or i can get Valvoline preimun BLUE extreme full synthetic oil 5w40 for about $125. What should i get? I'm unsure if my 2003 can use the synthetic oil or if it will damage anything, i love the truck and would HATE to hurt it in anyway(cant find any details in the manual). Also, if i can\do go synthetic should i still use the same FL-2016 motocraft filter or a diffrent one? The manual calls has a SAE viscosity grade table in it discussing expected temp ranges, 10w30 is preferred from -10 to 30 degrees and 15w40 from 30 to 100 degrees; where does 5w40 synthetic fall on this table. Sorry for all the questions trying to learn my best and i cant seem to find anyone locally that knows a hill of beans..

[Mark Kovalsky]

The manual doesn't say anything about synthetics because Ford doesn't have a position on it. As long as the oil, conventional or synthetic, meets the specs that Ford requires for the engine it's fine to use and won't cause any problems.

[GoFastPadre]

I know a lot of guys with diesels and they just about all run full synthetic. Most of these guys go about 15k on oil changes, with Schaffers full synthetic 15W40. I will be putting it in mine next oil change. I really only know one guy that runs conventional Rotella

[OMCUSNR]

Originally Posted by Neverworry

Looking to make a final decission on if i can go synthetic or not and even if i should... Please provide feedback. I have a 2003 F-350 6.0L Powerstoke dully w\ about 60K miles and a gas mod chip. I tow a 34' 5th wheel that weights about 12,000 lbs (2axle). This truck is mainly used for the camper and we go once a month regular as rain. I've been using 10w30 Rottella powerstroke oil in it since i got it w\ the recommended motrocraft filter. I need to get the oil changed in the next day or so and i want to get feedback. I can get the full oil change done with valvoline preimum BLUE 15w40 traditonal oil for about $93 or i can get Valvoline preimun BLUE extreme full synthetic oil 5w40 for about $125. What should i get? I'm unsure if my 2003 can use the synthetic oil or if it will damage anything, i love the truck and would HATE to hurt it in anyway(cant find any details in the manual). Also, if i can\do go synthetic should i still use the same FL-2016 motocraft filter or a diffrent one? The manual calls has a SAE viscosity grade table in it discussing expected temp ranges, 10w30 is preferred from -10 to 30 degrees and 15w40 from 30 to 100 degrees; where does 5w40 synthetic fall on this table. Sorry for all the questions trying to learn my best and i cant seem to find anyone locally that knows a hill of beans..

Mine is doing fine on DELO 15W40 at 7.5k intervals. Doing a synthetic isn't worth it to me, as the DELO is cheaper, meets the recommended chnge interval and the truck has no oil related problems at all.

It's your money. If you feel its worth it, do it.

OMC

[bcoakley]

I just switched to Rotella full synthetic 5-40 and the truck runs much quieter, especially in the cold mornings.