I am really thinking about going with synthetic oil in my Fusion. Anyone else done this? Is it worth it? I am reading with a high quality filter/oil you can go up to 6,000 miles between changes.. Any input would be greatly appreciated. 
Synthetic oil worth it?
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Oh boy. I used to think so but am not so sure anymore. Seeing as most of today's quality dino oils (e.g. Pennzoil, Havoline) are made from group II basestocks it's quite difficult to justify the price of $5/qt syn oils. The exception would be the occasional killer sale like Pep-Boys and Advance recently had - Pennzoil Platinum for a little over $2/qt (with rebate). Yes, I snagged a few cases. 8)
Here's THE website for all things oil related (including filters, greases, used oil analysis etc.).
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
Here's THE website for all things oil related (including filters, greases, used oil analysis etc.).
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
It is my underestanding that the life of the oil is based on the contaminents that get into it. That is driven by how much fuel goes through it. Hence, I change my v-8s at 3000 miles, and my four bangers at 5000 miles. All of my fours have gone 115,000-150,000 miles without opening the engine for any type of repair and without burning oil. 8)
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Using Mobil 1 5W-20 in my SEL V-6. I have been a satisfied Mobil 1 customer for many years.
My understanding of oil behavior in an internal combustion engine is that there is mechanical "shearing" of the long molecules of oil during normal engine operation. Non-synthetic oils are more prone to this damage because of the long-chain molecules used to provide the proper viscosity to the oil. Over time the oil loses viscosity and does not provide the equivalent "film strength" under high heat. As this viscosity degrades, the ability of the oil to provide a film between reciprocating metal pieces is reduced, allowing wear.
Synthetic oil maintains its film stength under heat far better, and is less subject to mechanical damage from the engine internals.
But the real million dollar question is the oil change interval. The more often the oil is changed, the less the oil deteriorates when it is in the engine. So if you change your oil every 3000 miles, non-synthetic is probably no different in engine wear than synthetic.
Having said that, I still use Mobil 1 because I feel better about it.
My understanding of oil behavior in an internal combustion engine is that there is mechanical "shearing" of the long molecules of oil during normal engine operation. Non-synthetic oils are more prone to this damage because of the long-chain molecules used to provide the proper viscosity to the oil. Over time the oil loses viscosity and does not provide the equivalent "film strength" under high heat. As this viscosity degrades, the ability of the oil to provide a film between reciprocating metal pieces is reduced, allowing wear.
Synthetic oil maintains its film stength under heat far better, and is less subject to mechanical damage from the engine internals.
But the real million dollar question is the oil change interval. The more often the oil is changed, the less the oil deteriorates when it is in the engine. So if you change your oil every 3000 miles, non-synthetic is probably no different in engine wear than synthetic.
Having said that, I still use Mobil 1 because I feel better about it.
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440 Posts
the qualities of today regular oils are pretty good, as far as additives and detergents. The only REAL advantage i see using a good synthetic is oil is its life span.
Without getting much into the oil thing (because ive been worn thin on it on other forums and quite frankly of arguing, haha) I use AMSOIL in all of my vehicles, and change it out every 5000 to 10000 miles, depending ont he vehicle and how bored and or lazy i get.
In our diesel we change the filter out ever 10k and the oil every 20k
Without getting much into the oil thing (because ive been worn thin on it on other forums and quite frankly of arguing, haha) I use AMSOIL in all of my vehicles, and change it out every 5000 to 10000 miles, depending ont he vehicle and how bored and or lazy i get.
In our diesel we change the filter out ever 10k and the oil every 20k
PegAir,
Motorcraft semi-syn 5W20 is an excellent oil at a great price ($2.09/qt at Wal-Mart). It posts up some great wear numbers in used oil analysis ( http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=3 ). I'd use if I could buy it for the same price I get Pennzoil on sale for ($1.69/qt or less).
Motorcraft semi-syn 5W20 is an excellent oil at a great price ($2.09/qt at Wal-Mart). It posts up some great wear numbers in used oil analysis ( http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=3 ). I'd use if I could buy it for the same price I get Pennzoil on sale for ($1.69/qt or less).
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I switched to Royal Purple 5-20 and K&N oil filter at 800 miles. Changed it again at 5,000. Clean as a whistle. I know you can run it uo to 10,000 miles but i feel 5k is pushing it. 40 bucks an oil change don't bother me none. You'll probably spend twice that at Star bucks by the time you need your next oil change. "One Venti Mochiato" please...
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Does anyone know if Synthetic oil can increase horsepower any at all,
say more than the Motorcraft oil they will use at a Dealership when you get the oil changed there?
say more than the Motorcraft oil they will use at a Dealership when you get the oil changed there?
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Synthetic oil keeps your engine "cleaner" and will help it run a little cooler (less resistence)
I know more than one mechanic that has told me that after tearing down an engine that has run on sythetic VS dino oil the synthetic engine is MUCH cleaner with much less build-up.
If you plan on keeping your FUSIOn for a long time run synthetic....if you want a new car every 2 or 3 years run regular Dino oil.
I know more than one mechanic that has told me that after tearing down an engine that has run on sythetic VS dino oil the synthetic engine is MUCH cleaner with much less build-up.
If you plan on keeping your FUSIOn for a long time run synthetic....if you want a new car every 2 or 3 years run regular Dino oil.
[quote author=SoCalFusion link=topic=47892.msg848852#msg848852 date=1153979407]
Synthetic oil keeps your engine "cleaner" and will help it run a little cooler (less resistence)
I know more than one mechanic that has told me that after tearing down an engine that has run on sythetic VS dino oil the synthetic engine is MUCH cleaner with much less build-up.
If you plan on keeping your FUSIOn for a long time run synthetic....if you want a new car every 2 or 3 years run regular Dino oil.
[/quote]
+1 I agree 100% Synthetic will leave alot less depsits in your engine than dino oil. I use Mobil 1 Extended performance in all of mine. It claims you only need to change it every 15000! I still do it every 3000, but its a tad pricy at about $6.49 a qt.
Synthetic oil keeps your engine "cleaner" and will help it run a little cooler (less resistence)
I know more than one mechanic that has told me that after tearing down an engine that has run on sythetic VS dino oil the synthetic engine is MUCH cleaner with much less build-up.
If you plan on keeping your FUSIOn for a long time run synthetic....if you want a new car every 2 or 3 years run regular Dino oil.
[/quote]
+1 I agree 100% Synthetic will leave alot less depsits in your engine than dino oil. I use Mobil 1 Extended performance in all of mine. It claims you only need to change it every 15000! I still do it every 3000, but its a tad pricy at about $6.49 a qt.
Wow, M1 EP changed every 3K :shock: - that's expensive. Have you spent any time on the THE oil forum?
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
Today's oils are pretty damn robust and name brand dinos changed every 4k will certainly take a late model car to 150K with ease.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
Today's oils are pretty damn robust and name brand dinos changed every 4k will certainly take a late model car to 150K with ease.
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. I use Mobil 1 Extended performance in all of mine. It claims you only need to change it every 15000! I still do it every 3000, but its a tad pricy at about $6.49 a qt.
Man if you lived closer I'd buy your 3,000 mile synth oil off you!!
Seriously I know many people who go 5 to 10,000 miles between oil changes with synthetic not a problem.
Man if you lived closer I'd buy your 3,000 mile synth oil off you!!
Seriously I know many people who go 5 to 10,000 miles between oil changes with synthetic not a problem.
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