Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

[onceforall]

Anyone following Ford's "Intelligent Oil Life Monitor" for scheduling changes? Looks like 7,500-12,500 miles depending on how the computer assesses engine usage.

Also wondering, was there a capacity change in the 1.5l? Some have 5.3qts, but recent vehicles have come with a page slipped into the manual that updates this to 6.6qts (with filter, of course). Same number can be found on the online version for the 1.5l. Also a comment that the oil pan with the 6.6qts was plastic?

Am leaning towards full synthetic (probably Mobil 1 extended life ) and letting the engine tell me when it's time. Dropping the break-in oil at 1000miles.

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[Mark S.]

Anyone following Ford's "Intelligent Oil Life Monitor" for scheduling changes? Looks like 7,500-12,500 miles depending on how the computer assesses engine usage.

We've owned Ford EcoBoost vehicles for the better part of a decade. I use Walmart's Super Tech brand full-synthetic and change IAW the built-in oil life monitor. The wife's 2014 Escape (2.0L) had 140K on the ODO before we traded it. It burned no oil, and was returning the same fuel mileage as when new. Never had to clean the induction system either...

 

[onceforall]

We've owned Ford EcoBoost vehicles for the better part of a decade. I use Walmart's Super Tech brand full-synthetic and change IAW the built-in oil life monitor. The wife's 2014 Escape (2.0L) had 140K on the ODO before we traded it. It burned no oil, and was returning the same fuel mileage as when new. Never had to clean the induction system either...

Our PHEV CMAX can get a lot of miles on just the electric motor. So I rely on the dash indicator to tell me when to change. 110k, engine oil always "looks" good (not black) when I change it.

My work truck 2018 F-150 with EB and auto start-stop feature, now that engine is a rattler when it first fires. It doesn't inspire confidence regarding longevity. 108k miles, no issues though.

 

[davidb1841]

I only use full synthetic...in my 6.7L fire breathing powerstroke....in my 2.0 liter edge......in my VW GTI....in my 1994 ford explorer with the 4.0. In my Prius. My BS has a thousand miles on it....and next week....I will put full synthetic in it. I have NEVER had an engine NOT run great. My explorer had 180,00 on it when I donated it. Never used oil, always ran great. I probably will add Archoil friction modifier too....just like I run in my Powerstroke.

 

[GoHack]

I've been using Full Synthetic for years, including using the very best of oil filters which I've researched.

I just switched over to Full Synthetic oil, w/an early oil change on my BL, at around 1300 miles, using Motorcraft 5W-30 w/a Motorcraft oil filter.

Where I find Full Synthetic most important is w/the Turbocharger especially, which not only runs very hot, but spins at very high RPM's, when it comes to its bearings.

Before the oil change, I recorded my mileage driving around 200 miles, on a fairly level highway, w/an average mileage of 25 MPH doing 70 MPH on cruise, using 91 octane Chevron gasoline.

A couple of days later, after changing my oil over to Motorcraft Full Synthetic, I did the same route where I recorded an average 28 MPG doing 70 MPH on cruise, again using 91 octane Chevron gasoline.

A 3 MPG improvement w/synthetic.

I'll do my next oil change at around 5000 miles, but in the meantime, I'll keep an eye on my mileage, as well as do some research as to what to use for oil, be it staying w/Motorcraft 5W-30 Full Synthetic, or something else.

I might point out, we're all presently using the winter grade of gasoline, so come the summer grade, the mileage reading we're all recording could, and may change, hopefully for the better. ?

 

[Mrmike]

I've been using Full Synthetic for years, including using the very best of oil filters which I've researched.

I just switched over to Full Synthetic oil, w/an early oil change on my BL, at around 1300 miles, using Motorcraft 5W-30 w/a Motorcraft oil filter.

Where I find Full Synthetic most important is w/the Turbocharger especially, which not only runs very hot, but spins at very high RPM's, when it comes to its bearings.

Before the oil change, I recorded my mileage driving around 200 miles, on a fairly level highway, w/an average mileage of 25 MPH doing 70 MPH on cruise, using 91 octane Chevron gasoline.

A couple of days later, after changing my oil over to Motorcraft Full Synthetic, I did the same route where I recorded an average 28 MPG doing 70 MPH on cruise, again using 91 octane Chevron gasoline.

A 3 MPG improvement w/synthetic.

I'll do my next oil change at around 5000 miles, but in the meantime, I'll keep an eye on my mileage, as well as do some research as to what to use for oil, be it staying w/Motorcraft 5W-30 Full Synthetic, or something else.

I might point out, we're all presently using the winter grade of gasoline, so come the summer grade, the mileage reading we're all recording could, and may change, hopefully for the better. ?

Why do you use 5W-30 rather than recommended 5W-20?

 

[Mark S.]

A 3 MPG improvement w/synthetic.

I strongly suspect there were more factors involved. Manufacturers spend literally MILLIONS of dollars looking for ways to get a 1 or 2 percent increase in fuel economy. If a +10% improvement in fuel economy was as simple as switching to full synthetic manufacturers would immediately require its use.

 

[Glamdring70]

If oil composition or viscosity got you 3MPG, Ford would have put that oil in from the factory and had a leg up on the competition. Regulations push manufacturers very hard to develop higher efficiency. That's a math error or a driving change. Tank to tank isn't meaningful to demonstrate long term mileage.

 

[Mark S.]

Why do you use 5W-30 rather than recommended 5W-20?

Ford recommends 5W-30 for the 2.0L rather than the 5W-20 recommended for the 1.5L.

 

[Mrmike]

Ford recommends 5W-30 for the 2.0L rather than the 5W-20 recommended for the 1.5L.

Point taken. Another reason members should be more precise in their signature block as far as model.

 

[Jmuns]

Point taken. Another reason members should be more precise in their signature block as far as model.

Look at the badge icon under their name. Most have their trim badge there.

 

[Mrmike]

Look at the badge icon under their name. Most have their trim badge there.

Never noticed that. The key word here is "most" though. If everyone had it problem solved.

 

[GoHack]

Why do you use 5W-30 rather than recommended 5W-20?

Because I have the Badlands w/the four-cylinder engine which requires 5W-30.

 

[GoHack]

Point taken. Another reason members should be more precise in their signature block as far as model.

I had BL for Badlands noted.

Sorry for not being more specific.

 

[GoHack]

I strongly suspect there were more factors involved. Manufacturers spend literally MILLIONS of dollars looking for ways to get a 1 or 2 percent increase in fuel economy. If a +10% improvement in fuel economy was as simple as switching to full synthetic manufacturers would immediately require its use.

Many manufacturers do now-a-days.

Full synthetic is more fuel efficient than Semi is, which in the case of Ford's Motorcraft, is said to have only 20% synthetic in it.

I've always gotten better mileage w/Full Synthetic than w/Mineral or Semi-Synthetic. It's one of the reasons I use it.
It's also more expensive than Semi, which could be a reason why they don't use it.
Then too, many manufactures put either mineral or Semi-synthetic in their new engines for break-in, recommending Full Synthetic after.

Another reason I use it is for the Turbo, which not only runs extremely hot, but spins at several thousands of RPM's, when it comes to the bearings. Full synthetic can handle higher temperatures w/o what is called, coking (cooked oil around the bearings).

Where I live, summer temperatures run well over 100 F.

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