engine oil preferences...

[Xious]

Was wondering if normal or synthetic oil would be recommended for my 94 3.2L ATX?

Just about to do a change and wanted to see if I should go for the normal stuff, or get the synthetic. also, what is the recommended grade of oil? 5/30w?

Used to using straight 30SAE and 40SAE in my other cars, so any advice here would be handy.

//Xio//

 

[91 SHOplus]

You'll get as many answers as there are members in this topic, but most of us prefer 10w30 Castrol GTX. There are members here pushing 300k miles on original motors who swear by it. Changing it regularly, and on time, is more important than the label on the bottle IMO.

 

[n8rsk8r]

Valvoline full synthetic here THe can of worms is open!

 

[91 SHOplus]

THe can of worms is open!

:corn:

 

[shofun93]

You can use any oil you want providing you change it in the proper intervals for your driving habits. Conventional oil like Mobil drive clean or castrol is very good (and cheap) but requires changing more often 3K-5K depending on driving habits. Synthetic is more pricy but lasts longer 5K-15K depending on habits. I use Mobil 1 Synthetic and an motorcraft FL-1A filter (larger) in my 93 ATX and it has performed great at 155K with proper maint.

If you decide to switch to synthetic remember that the first time you put it in you should only drive about 800-1000 miles and then change it again along with the filter. The synthetic cleans the engine much better and has much better viscosity than synthetic, thus it will remove much of the "crud" left behind by even the best conventional oil. After that 5K-15K depending on driving habits.

GL, Jason

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The factory-recommended grade is 5W30, with the option of 10W30 in climates that generally don't go below freezing.

Which brand oil, and conventional or synthetic, will be argued until the end of the world. The best advice is to select an oil that you're happy with, and change it at regular intervals. The owner's manual has two maintenance schedule intervals, one for "normal" duty, and one for "severe" duty. Following one of those schedules should serve you well.

If you want to do some more research in selecting which type and brand oil you'd prefer, I recommend trying some online resources such as http://www.bobistheoilguy.com or manufacturer sites.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no members of the forum who are chemists or experts in fluid dynamics, and while there is a lot of experience when it comes to oil (as well as as wealth of other valuable knowledge), it would be wise to consider their opinions and experiences as purely anecdotal when it comes to oil selection!

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

To the best of my knowledge, there are no members of the forum who are chemists or experts in fluid dynamics,

Chemist here...but no one listens to us. Folks will more often believe folklore with no proof instead of science that has all the proof in the world. Once something is in someones head, it takes alot to get that something out.

I would read up on bobistheoilguy as well.

 

[blue thunder]

Mobile one 10w 30. Had 214.375 original and now 11,000 on new engine, (3.0)

 

[40BelowSummer]

Changing it regularly, and on time, is more important than the label on the bottle IMO.

Best quote on this topic.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

I used normal castrol in mine until it hit 125k and i switched to castrol gtx high mileage and it helped stop a very minor oil leak i had. I might be over or understating with this percentage but id say that 65-70% of us sho people use castrol. Others use valvoline or mobil synthetic. Those are the big 3 the majority of us use. If you have the money for mobil synthetic go for it.

The key issue is like said in previous posts to change it every 3-5k and also very important use a quality oil filter. For me i use nothing but the ford filter as has also already been mentioned.

I have used mobil 1 in every car ive owned up until the sho and i went to castrol gtx because thats what sdpatt uses and his has 291k and counting and his rod bearings and all were in decent shape when he replaced them i believe it was at 271k.( someone correct me if that mileage is wrong) He tows a boat and im sure he drives it like a sho is supposed to be driven too. So thats what swayed me over to the castrol. I run 10w30 castrol gtx high mileage and i love it, the car loves it too. It doesnt burn and now it doesnt leak anything at all. Its only about 2 bucks more than normal oil. So the cost for what you get is really good.

I think the bottom line is the brand you choose is up to you but just dont neglect it and use quality filters and you will be doing good. For me i go as soon as i hit the 3k mark and change it. I dont go over that though. But im really meticulous about maitanance.

 

[Fourcats]

Take some time at the local parts store{like an evening} and read the labels on the mutitude of brands, viscosities & prices. What brands go on sale?
Or keep it simple and run GTX...it sounds RACEY and is easy to spot on the shelf.

 

[SHOblime]

I think the real question is synthetic vs organic, really. The brand you use doesn't make much of a difference as long as it is a major label (Mobil, Castrol, Pennzoil, etc) and you change it every 3k miles or so. ALSO use an good brand filter (Motorcraft etc)

Also to my understanding 5w30 "shears" more than most other grades, although apparently this is less of a problem among organics and newer forumlas.


PS !!!! ! ! ! ! MOBIL 1 IS NOT A FULL SYNTHETIC OIL!!!! !!! !!

I still like it, though!

 

[Mike Kelly]

There are no rules, regulations, standards or other precepts that govern how much " synthetic" a synthetic blend must contain.
It comes down to ethics for the manufacture. Do they have any?

Mike Kelly

 

[SASHO91]

i use quaker state high horsepower, 10w30.
but i change every 2000 or 2500 though.
As long as it is new oil going in, im happy.

 

[HopefulSHO]

Um, Mobil 1 is a full synthetic oil. A little on the thin side for my taste, but still 100% syn.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Hey Cool! You're in Phoenix. We're having AZ SHO Club get together at my place tomorrow. We're supplying a barbeque lunch and then maybe head to the pavillions Car SHOw in the evening. We have a lift and a drum for your old oil if you want to change it the real easy way.

How do you pronounce your name, if that is your name.

Tom