I use rotella syn, in my f 250 7.3, the only reason i use it is that the truck seems to like it best, ie. it seems to run smoother, quieter, and doesnt use any between changes. We use the f 250 almost exclusive for towing our trailers and we travel quite abit, so some times our scheduled oil changes get stretched out some, i just feel better with syn in it when we get in a position of having to wait to get home and change oil.
If yours is the 7.3L and unless you're going to be in very, very cold climates (i.e. below zero) for extended times IMHO synthetic is a waste of money. You won't see any mpg increases and again IMHO getting fresh oil in there more often helps get rid of the soot which diesels are known for and filtering out the soot is very hard and expensive. Your engine should last at least 500K miles so I doubt over that amount of miles synthetic would be beneficial.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
Like the others have mentioned, I use synthetic primarily for the cold starting benefits. Until recently, we lived in International Falls, MN. A winter up there is a pretty good demonstration of how much synthetic helps.
I change mine probably more often than is necessary for syn. But I like having the peace of mind that if I miss my schedule by a bit, I'm not harming the engine. I've never seen a mileage benefit in any of my vehicles, but I wasn't expecting one, so that doesn't bother me.
Jason, Angie, and our toddler, Sean Patrick
2008 Ameri-Lite 27BH
2007 Dodge 1500 QC Laramie, 5.7Hemi, 3.92
Equalizer hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
Rotella T Syn in everything. Truck, Tahoe, Harleys, Tractor, etc. Not sure about any better mileage. Use it for better lubricating properties. Also use a quart of two stroke oil in every tank of fuel. I buy it by the case at Wal-Mart.
Big Sexy and BonBon
2003 Dodge 2500 4x4 Laramie Cummins Auto, Edge EZ, AEM Brute Force, Timbrens, B&W.
2004 35SRV Victory Lane
1998 Harley Road King (Mine)
2003 Harley Road KIng (Hers)
2004 Yamaha Grizzly LE
Syn: yes, every 5,000 gas, every 6,000 diesels under 8L
Brand: your choice.(Mine Walmart since 2000, Mobil before then)
Additives for oil: no
Aux filters: no.
Why:
89 B2200 280K + Miles
96 Exploder (V6)250K+
97 F150 180K+
98 Mustang 80k (V6 gas crunch car)
The only major work was the Exploder, intake manifold re-sealed at 200k.
I have been using Mobil 1 in my trucks since the 70's when I had a 4x4 Blazer Chalet camper that was the only vehicle to start at the KOA at Whiteface Mtn in NY on the coldest day (Feb 18 1979) in NY state history at 52° below zero. I also use Mobil synthetic ATF.
* This post was
edited 06/07/08 08:10am by 8.1 Van *
A Chrysler engineer involved in the development of the 5.7L Hemi engine told me "he would use" a fully synthetic engine oil for towing as heavy as we do with the 5.7L Hemi engine in the hot temps we see in the southeast just in case bearing or ring temps get a little high. I use Mobil-1 as it meets Chrysler's MS-6395 builder's approval for the 5.7L Hemi engine and it's ILSAC GF-4 "certified" by the API. Not simply "recommended" by the oil manufacturer for use in my engine without the engine builder's approval or "rated" to be an API classification without any API certification. I prefer to have either the API or the engine builder verify that the oil is what the oil manufacturer claims it is.
Operating temps are the same as the thermostat wasn't changed and the cooling system isn't affected by brand of engine oil. MIleage might be a little better but too close to verify. If I used the recommended 5w-20 instead of 5w-30 that the engineer suggested with our GCW, I might see a little better mileage. I feel better and sleep better knowing it's in there so if that's the only real benefit, it's well worth the extra cost.
Never used any additives. So far, no additives works best for me as I've never had an oil related or fuel related engine break down or failure...
'05 2500HD Dodge 5.7L Hemi 5spd auto/3.73 SLT. 95k miles
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins
'07 KZ Jag 28JFSS.
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