Thread: So much oil, So little time

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I went to using Mobil 1 in my 7400# F350 with V10 in hopes that I might just get a bit more in gas mileage. Nah, not a chance - it was 11mpg before and, guess what, 11mpg after. So instead of my oil changes costing $40+/- every 4-5K miles, its less then half that by using the Motorcraft semi synthetic 5W (or 10W)-30 (it takes 7 quarts) and I still get around 11mpg with 13/14 on long haul trips or 9/10 with my 12K camper hung on. Wear and tear - half a quart in 5K says there isn't much at 56K miles.

So with that said, there probably isn't much need for full synthetic oil. It might help starting below zero, but my truck sat outside last winter and started every day, including several -5 or more days. Is it good stuff - yep, but not that much better then a semi synthetic. What, IMHO, it boils down to - oil company advertising !! And yep, there will be some here that swear by it as well.

I'm running Rotella T 30 wt in my T and pretty much have switched over to it in everything except my daily driver Ford, and in there I have Mobil 1 synthetic. I went with Rotella because of the zinc thing too and the fact, as mentioned, that lots of diesels use it. But who knows, I think it boils down to what you think you have had good luck with in the past and what you have heard.

For years I ran Castrol GTX and can't say I ever had an oil related problem that I know of.

Don

I have read and been told that Rotella T is an excellent oil, but it no longer has the Zinc content that it once had. It seems that Valvoline VR-1 (20w50) or Castoil 20W50 is the choice of most who want the added Zinc protection without adding an additive like ZDDPlus, (which ain't real cheap I might add ).

It all comes down to your needs and your wallet as to what is best for your car. Ask 10 different people and get 8 different answers.