Should I do it?
I used it in my old Taurus... ran like a champ till the head gasket blew. There is no doubt in my mind and I am aware of the advantages of sythetic.
Quite frankly, $10 an oil change to know I have good oil and excellent engine wear is more than worth it!

Does it void the powertrain warranty?

 

No, synthetic engine oil won't void your warranty. I use it because of it's increased resistence to heat and thermal breakdown.

An engine that puts out 260hp (300 with some mods ) and is cooled by only +/- 8 quarts of coolant can use all the help I can give it.

 

8 quarts?!?! How is that?

I know the book calls for 4.5 or so...

What kind of mods do you have?
Im not looking to mod my '02TL S... Stock is fine enough for me to get into trouble ;-)

I love working on cars, I don't mind doing most of the routine maint. myself, but that is the extent of me working on stuff.

 

All I run is Mobil 1

 

Mobil 1 is the best thing since sliced bread.
Thats all I use too. :-)

It creaps through everything and lubes fantastically, even after a cold start with the car not having moved for a week.
And the engine performance difference is noticeable!

 

+/- 8 quarts of COOLANT not oil.

 

My apologies...
I just totally skimmed that. I wonder where my head is at times (dreaming of driving my car, probably)

Yeah, 8 quarts will do it! lol...

Engine oil also serves to cool the engine and remove heat from the pistons, valves, conecting rods and the C/shaft.


My old taurus had a ruseted brake that didnt work, then one day it decided to work. So it locked up and overheated like crazy!

I was about 20 miles from home, so I whipped out the spare qt of Mobil 1 fromt he trunk, doused the rotor and pads with as much of the stuff as I can...

She ran smooth and cool all the way home. Great S#@t!!

 

I started running it at 1500 miles, but I used their new "new car formula" which is suppose to take care of the seal issues that new engines have. The engine runs great, and is very quiet when idle. Im due for my next one soon, I will start using the regular mobil 1 from now on.

 

What Mobil 1 do you guys use? 5W30? I remember the manual calls for 5W20, and I'm pretty sure Mobil 1 does not come in that viscosity. I was looking into changing to synthetic before and amongst the only brand that I've found is Amsoil that makes the 5W20. Is it okay to go to 5W30? Anyone know if synthetic oils absorb less water over time compared to conventional oils?

Thanks. MT

 

has anybody ever used ROYAL PURPLE synthetic?? its supposedly the only oil that is proven to increases horsepower. Has anybody ever used this oil b4?

 

Yes, Mobil 1 does come in 5-30. Its their "new car formula" or what not. Its out there. Fairly new probably.

My shop has been using mineral 10W-30. Seems to be ok until it is time to do my own in a few miles.

Synthetic "sticks" onto the metal much better then mineral. Thus any condensation in the engine (cold night, etc, just like on your windshield) will not adhere to the cylinder walls and other parts, allowing for corrosion. Also, as you can infer, the thicker barrier also provides good starting protection on cold and hot days during the time which the engine is turning and oil pressure has not gone up and started cirulating in the engine... this is usually about 5-10 seconds, but still... how many times do you start your car? lol...

Also, it is important to drive your car long enough so that it operates at normal temps for some time before you shut it down. This way the oil temp will "boil off" any moisture in the engine, reducing the likelihood of excessive water contamination and wear.

Hope this helps you guys out :-)

 

Correct Mobil 1 does not make a 5W-20.

Use the 5W-30 or 0W-30. The 0W-30 is good to use in the winter months.

Do not use 10W-30 as it is too thick for our cars.

 

i used to run 10w30 before i switched to synthetic in the summer months. it wont hurt to run it in summer months or harsh inviroments (high heat stop and go) but if you go to synthetic 5w30 is good

 

what AMSOIL has to say about "having" to use 5w20: http://www.americansyntheticoil.com/5w20.htm

I just recently switched to Mobil 1 5w30 in my TL-S

 

Great. Thanks for the replies. I'll switch to 5W30 Mobil 1 on my next oil change.

Amsoil 5W20 is a bit on the expensive side.

MT

 

Mobil 1's version of 5w-20 synthetic, is actually their 0w-20. Read the bottle next time you have a chance. (I work @ a parts store, so you can just believe me if you want )

 

So why not the best? Somtimes you get what you pay for. When you get there, it`s time to look at Amsoil or Redline with a Mobil -1 Oil filter.

 

How much are you guys paying for synethic oil? I was shocked by the cost of Castrol Synethic ($31 for 5 qt)

 

8$ a Quart, Redline 5W-20.

 

Oh, and I got my car w/ ~31+K on the clock, and they have a quaker state sticker on the window, so I'll definately be switching over to Mobil or a better synth. ASAP.

 

i get my mobil 1 at costco, they have it the cheapest

 

I know this has been discussed but could someone pleasee explain it to me again. If the owners manual calls for 5w20 why does everyone here use 5w30? Also my salesman said to NOT use synthetic in the engine, and all I read about on here is the praises of synthetic. Someone explain please....Thanks

 

we use 5w30 because mobil 1 doesnt make a 5w20 synthetic, and as far as what the dealer said, hes kinda right. i wouldnt use it till the engine is properly broken in, after that i would highly recomend it

 

What is properly broken in then?

 

 

any thing over acouple thousand miles.

 

mobil 1 synthetic is like 23$ for a 5 quart jug at walmart

 

Talking to a Salesperson about engines, is like talking to a hooker about Chastity.

 

sales people don't know anything...don't listen to them.

 

That salesman could just be trying to steer you away from synthetic beause their own shop does not use it for their own oil changes. Just a thought.

BTW- I've only had to change my oil once so far (4,900mi.) and I did with Royal Purple 5w-20 and a K&N filter. No, I didn't dyno the thing before and after so I can't vouch for it having more hp.

 

I recently switched to Amsoil 5w20 from Amsoil 5w30 because I blew the main oil seal on the output side of the engine. I figured that the 5w20 will carry less pressure to the seals and make it so I am less likely to have another blow out. There's nothing like being on a long trip and having to leave your car 100's of miles away at a shop to get fixed...

I'm thinking of staying with the 5w20.