What kind of oil to use?

[shawnph]

I've always put regular oil in my TB. But I used to commute 65 miles to work a day. So, I'd get the oil changed every 4 months or so. I've been working from home for the past year and a half and my mileage has dropped considerably. My last oil change was 7 months ago and I'm still just under 3k miles since then.

So today when I got it changed, I decided to put synthetic. It was double the cost of regular oil. I figured it might hold up better since I'm not driving as much. And when I do drive, it's for a lot shorter trips, close to the house. The way I drive now may not be putting as many miles on it, but the miles it does get are rougher on the engine.

Does anyone have any thoughts on synthetic vs. regular? Is it just throwing away money to go synthetic?

[rodeo02]

For a short tripper, I'd personally stick with a conventional 5w-30 and change it every 6mo or 3Kmi. I've been running kendall GT-1 5w-30 and napa gold filters @ at 5-6Kmi or 6mo interval on mine.

Joel

[Jethro]

I have been using Mobile1 10w30 in Florida since november 2001. I change it every 6000 miles and get an average 19mpg. (I have a lead foot)

[Robert1010]

Over the years (30) There has been so many different brands of oil out there. They all say they are the best. There is only sure thing, change it often 3000 miles & 3-6 months. Always use a new filter too.

There are special oils for special conditions, engine type, ect. Most of the time they don't apply to the general motoring public.

Use a current and correct type oil for your engine.

I have never seen or heard of any engine failure from changing the oil too much!

Your driving habits can affect how much contaminates build up in your oil, and how often it should be changed.

Also don't go crazy about "how dirty my oil looks" and changing it every 1000 miles. This is a waste of money and makes you neurotic.

Enjoy your truck, like I do.

[phewop118]

I use only Mobil 1 full synthetic, extended performance oil (supposed to be gauranteed to 15k miles). I change it whenever the light comes on. Usually between 7-10k miles. Typically, the oil doesn't look very used.

[pokerman11]

I am going to strongly suggest you do NOT change your oil every 3000 miles. That is a complete lie created by the oil change companies.

A number closer to 10,000 is more realistic.

The manual on the TB suggest around 7000 (if I remember proberly). Changing oil more often does not do much anything to help your engine, and is bad for the environment. Sure it might make you feel like you are doing good things for your truck, but changing every 3000 miles is a scam.

[pokerman11]

Oh yes as far as synthetic - mostly a waste of money. However, the synthetic is going to last longer. If you want to go 15,000 miles between changes or more than go synthetic, but if you are going to change every 6 mths regardless then just normal.

5W-30 - unless you live in Canada, then go with 5W-30 and plug your Truck in at night.

For brand of oil just make sure it has the proper API codes (american petrolum Inst) and buy the cheepest one. A lot of oil is make private label (sold under names like Wal-Mart) by the same high $$ companies.

The old guys on the comercials were correct "Motor Oil is just Motor Oil"

[max3456]

I have benn using the same synthetic and have had great results. About 10k between changes. Oil looks good when drained.

Originally Posted by phewop118

I use only Mobil 1 full synthetic, extended performance oil (supposed to be gauranteed to 15k miles). I change it whenever the light comes on. Usually between 7-10k miles. Typically, the oil doesn't look very used.