so is there anything i need to do when switching to synthetic oil from dino ? geting ready to hit 30,000 and am looking to extend the oil drain milage out so as to save some $$$ . how long do you all run between oil changes ? do i need to flush the motor and if so with what ? i will be going with amsoil 15-40 syn. can i still use ford filter and change them every 5000 or go with donaldson and change less ? thanks for any opinions ,
On an engine with 30K, that was serviced properly, I'd just pour in the synthetic oil on the next change and go. Why would you want to use the Ford filter? What you want to use is a Donoldson Endurance nanofiber filter. They cost 1.5 times as much as a regular filter, but you'd have to change the regular filter once through the oil's life, so it costs more to use a cheaper less efficient filter. What I did when I converted to synthetic is I threw on a Napa filter initially because the synthetic likely will break loose some junk inside. Once I put about 6K or so on the new oil, I changed the filter only and put on a Donoldson Endurance. I go about 15K or so on my Amsoil 15/40 changes with one Endurance filter. With your Ford, a 5/30 would be a better choice.
On an engine with 30K, that was serviced properly, I'd just pour in the synthetic oil on the next change and go. Why would you want to use the Ford filter? What you want to use is a Donoldson Endurance nanofiber filter. They cost 1.5 times as much as a regular filter, but you'd have to change the regular filter once through the oil's life, so it costs more to use a cheaper less efficient filter. What I did when I converted to synthetic is I threw on a Napa filter initially because the synthetic likely will break loose some junk inside. Once I put about 6K or so on the new oil, I changed the filter only and put on a Donoldson Endurance. I go about 15K or so on my Amsoil 15/40 changes with one Endurance filter. With your Ford, a 5/30 would be a better choice.
Most Ford guys like the 5W-30 better because it does come from a slightly better stock, but mainly the lighter viscosity helps the hydraulic injector system work better.
The 5W30 is a slightly thinner oil and will give better fuel mileage in most trucks. The big exception to this I think is the 7.3L Powerstrokes, as they use High pressure oil to pressurize and fire the injectors. A thinner oil may have adverse effects on that system. I am unsure, and will ask Nathan to respond to this tonight. The 5W30 is a more expensive oil, but due to its more robust base stock and additive package, it actually has a higher film strength than the 15W40. Either are great oils. I have run both. On this last change I had a customer buy up the last of my 5W30, so 15W40 went into the 06. . . . . .
