Synthetic oil

slowhand

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I've started reading about Synthetic Oils.Found a web site for Amsoil(NO, I'm NOT a dealer,salesman,or whatever)I'd like to start using their motor oil in my F-150(90,000 miles and still makin' payments)gas engine. I try to do as much research as possible on a new subject and was curious if anyone on this site has used any synthetic oils( motor oil,gear oil,transmissian oil, etc)in their trucks or personall vehicals. If I'm on the wrong site to ask this question, I'm sure someone will steer me in the right direction. Thanks....
 

Run4biz

Expert Expediter
I've used both Amsoil and Mobil 1 for several years. I've found that the Mobil 1 is more readily available (ie Walmart) so thats what I use in my cargo van. 277,000 miles and running strong.
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
I had good luck with Mobil-1 and used it because of availability.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
 

kg

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Owner/Operator
i've used various grades of mobil 1 since it was introduced 25-30 years ago, in everything from lawn tractors, welders, to cars and trucks.

never had any internal engine problems no matter what the hours or miles on the equipment.

have always doubled or tripled the change intervals. the oil is still very slick and not burnt.

recomend using the mobil 1 filter with your oil change.

you can literally hear the difference in your engine when you change to it. however you should not try to change to synthetic late in an engines life. the wear damage is already done and you will gain little.

definately improves milage.
 

slowhand

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Thank you everyone. Appreciate the input. With Amsoil you have to order thru an independent dealer. Kinda like an O/O. They also say Amsoil beats Mobil 1 and all the other synthetic oils. Gotta do more research. Thanks again.....
 

DannyD

Veteran Expediter
Hiya Slow,

I'm a huge fan of synthetic oil. I've tried various kinds (Mobile1, Penzoil, etc) & haven't noticed much difference between em, but I have definately noticed a big difference between synthetic & regular oil.

The milage is better for starters. I tried various things when I first got my van, & kept the variables as constant as possible (like only going 65MPH for a few thousand miles, those kinds of things) & my feeling is synthetic oil is the best change I've made.

If I recall it right I was in the high 14s/low 15s for mpg b4 syntetic & now I'm generally in the high 16s/low 17s. Part of that may be due to warmer weather, but I've sped back up to 75 & haven't noticed any drop in mpg.

I also "think" the engine seems to run better. That might be a mental thing more than an actual thing, but it does feel like the engine runs smoother.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents on it. Good luck to ya.

Take care,
Danny
 

slowhand

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
From what I've read,Amsoil beats ALL the other synthetic oils in comparison test's. I'm going to try their 0w-30 motor oil,oil filter and air filter. Not cheap,but Amsoil is the best. Availability is thru an independent dealer,but should be no problem.They have to hustle to make a buck,so I'll try and help them out.If I like what I "hear", I'll change my transmission fluid over to Amsoil also.Gotta keep her runnin'. LOL LOL LOL
 

TJ959

Veteran Expediter
I've used synthetic oils for several applications. The hydraulic oil is amazing in cold weather and eliminates hydraulic loading drag completely. I love the stuff in air cooled engines and smaller auto engines as well. My best buddy lost an engine to sludge caused by synthetic oil in his Dodge pickup though. I don't know the brand but it was something his Dodge dealer was pushing with an extended warranty. Ended up they didn't stand behind it either. I've used Mobil-1 with no complaint and never heard anything bad about it.
 

roadrocket

Expert Expediter
Hi Slowhand,
Synthetic lubricants are the way to go, especially for people who make their living with their vehicles. A good friend of mine races historic NASCAR stock cars, ‘I build his motors’ and can attest to the amazing results synthetics provide. As for a horse power increase I consider it just a side benefit, however the actual dyno tests I do show an 8-10 HP increase. Now that may not sound like much but consider these motors are already 16:1 compression ratio and are producing over 2 HP per cubic inch at over 8,000 RPM so it is difficult to eek out more power but the synthetics do work. After a season of road racing the bearings could be put back in the motor again (but we don’t). It is recommended that you break you engine in on petroleum based oil (the first oil change interval should do) before going to synthetics. Crane Cams, the only cam company I know of that will void its’ warranty if you ‘don’t’ use petroleum based oils for the break-in, go figure! My normal procedure for the race engines is a 20 minute run on the dyno under 25% load then do several power pulls, drain the oil and replace with synthetic (Mobil-1 is what we use) and do the remaining pulls. This is how I know the HP difference. We also use synthetics in the transmission and rear end. Never had a wear failure.

The huge benefit for O/O's is the extended oil change intervals. It ads convenience to the owner and ‘Greatly” extends engine life. You must continue to change filters at the manufacturers intervals, pretty simple job that can be performed in any parking lot along with greasing the all the lube points, again use synthetic grease.

Rather than guess at how long you can extend your oil change interval have an oil analysis done at a lab, most truck stops can do this for you for under $20.00 and in less than the time it takes to eat dinner. Now you will ‘know’ if the oil is good to extend further, don’t guess. If you change filters per schedule then 50-75,000 mile oil change intervals should be a piece of cake. :)
 

plumcrazy8

Expert Expediter
I've used Mobil 1 since the late 70's and Delvac 1 (diesel oil) in anything that has a piston or gears, wouldn't use anything other than a full synthetic. My Chev small block 406 at 675hp won't ever see anything but Mobil 1 20w50 racing oil. Check out motoroilbible.com for some good reading. For all you hardheaded diesel truckers out there who won't pay the price for a real synthetic, Mobil Delvac 1300 is a petroleum oil, considered a "para-synthetic" (due to it's specifications and performance) by oil junkies, is built to near-synthetic quality and costs under $7.00/gal at WalMart. In my estimation Mobil has it covered both ways. My two cents worth. Oh, don't be scared of the Amzoil products - excellent stuff but harder to find.
 

slowhand

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Now I ask ya', where else can you go and get honest,hands on advice like this web-site. Thanks again everyone for your insight. P.S. Further research still indicates Amsoil is the best. It is harder to buy than other synthetics,but well worth it. Only sold thru independent dealers. Besides, I got a bad attitude towards Exxon/Mobile. So sue me......
 

plumcrazy8

Expert Expediter
A lot of smaller lumber yards and no-name "farm & fleet" type centers carry Amzoil products. Since you're in the expediting business you should pass many of these on your travels. Being from northern Minnesota I have been studying the 0- products Amzoil has come up with and have been using them for the last couple of years in my Arctic Cat ATVs and Snowmobiles. Seems to work well. Don't forget to get your hands on the Motor Oil Bible, lots of education into the chemistry of oil to be had in there. Good luck to ya.
 

o2man98

Expert Expediter
For those who are worried about being able to find Amsoil why don't you become a Preferred Customer. With this membership you are able to purchase any Amsoil product at dealer cost (25-30% off). The membership cost $10 for 6 months or $20 for 1 year. The one year membership pays for itself for anyone who spends $100 per year or more. There is many products that would be benefical to expediters. Yes I do sell it and am trying to concentrate my efforts towards commercial and retail customers. Check this link for Preferred Customer details.

https://www.amsoil.com/Amsoillogin/preferredapp.aspx?zo=1132530

Also check this for fuel mileage icrease details.

http://www.modernoils.com/media/pdf_files/g135182GasMileage.pdf

Ken
 

Big Redd

Expert Expediter
been running amsoil in my 2000 harley for over 20,000 miles and never had a problem. Bike runs cooler and better.
 

o2man98

Expert Expediter
>been running amsoil in my 2000 harley for over 20,000 miles
>and never had a problem. Bike runs cooler and better.


Have you tried you new MCV Formula Amsoil in your Harley? It was just reformulated a few months ago and I have experienced a diffinate improvement believe it or not.
 
G

guest

Guest
Amsoil is good. Schaeffer's is awesome. Do a little reading about Schaeffer's products. They're the real thing.
 
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