Why synthetic oil over regular 10-40???

Question

350 Ford, 1995 truck

Answer 1

This debate about synthetic versus regular motor oil has been raging for the past 30 years or so. The question is: does the consumer get enough advantage by buying synthetic oil to justify its much greater cost? Synthetic oil is definitely superior in times of extreme use. If you live in an area with severe winters or severe summers, tow a large trailer over the mountains or race your car, synthetic does have some advantages. However, pumped-out-of-the-ground motor oil has been continuously improved over the years and is not the poor relation it may have been in the past. I use 5W30 Mobil 1 in my Dodge SRT-4 since the manufacturer recommended it, but I use regular 5W30 or 10W30 in my other vehicles including my full-sized van. Also, since contemporary motor oils are all adequate, 40 or 50 straight or multi-weight oils are not necessary. Therefore the answer is more of personal choice than a good or bad oil choice .

Answer 2

Synthetic oil is slipperier. It also encapsulates particles that can harm your engine. It is thinner(less viscous), yet it burns at higher temperatures and handles pressure better. Regular oil will do a good job, it just needs to be changed more frequently as it suffers from build-up and sludging more rapidly. Your Ford is probably a 351M and therefore not a modular engine. Regular oil is just fine for it on a regular maintenance schedule, say, every 5,000 miles. I wouldn't run anything but a full synthetic 5W30 in these new modular motors. They have such tight tolerances and cost $7,000-$10,000 for a similar engine versus $1,200-$2,500 for an old push rod engine like yours.

Answer 3

In fact the synthetics don t last as long as single weight oils such as Heavy Duty Castrol 30 wt. The synthetics will be like water if you fail to change the oil for a year or more, and the single weight will still be at least 20 weight after that long. Manufacturers of cars want the car to wear out, and manufacturers of oil want you to spend more on oil. Think about it.

Answer 4

If you live in a cold climate, synthetic oil is a big help when trying to start your engine in the winter, because the oil always stays thin, allowing the engine to spin at full speed to try to start as soon as you turn the key. With petroleum oil the engine turns slowly in winter temperatures because it has to churn it's way thru oil that's thick like grease. Sometimes the battery runs out of juice before the engine is spinning fast enough to start.

Answer 5

Synthetic oil is better if the engine is under load or subject to high temperatures. Otherwise it is just best to stick with a name brand regular oil and change every 3,000 miles and save your money.

Answer 6

To make the manufacturer rich.

Answer 7

It's just plain better.