Switch to Mobil1 at 45k

[davefisher]

I recently picked up a used 2003 V8 38k miles. At 40k I did the regular oil service at the dealership. I've been one to do my own oil but just went to the dealer this time to have them look it over (for any other issues they may have seen).

Question is this: At 45k when I do the next drain and fill, I'd like to switch over to Mobil1 synthetic... but I'm not sure of how an engine will take this change at high(er) mileage.

Other vehicles that I've switched to Mobil1 have generally been at the first oil change. I'm not sure if changing it at 45k would be a problem or not. I'd like to get some input.

Thoughts? Problems? Experience? ...Thanks!

 

[Louie]

It will be no problem. Don't let anyone scare you away from switching. If you want to and are willing to pay for the more expensive oil, just do it. If you really want to be sure, do an oil analysis after putting about 5k miles on the M1.

Try someone like Dyson Analysis. The owner's name is Terry Dyson and you can get a real answer backed up by lab results.

Dyson Analysis

 

[imboredeveryday]

it wont hurt it i switched from regular oil to mobil one when i bought that truck with a 120000 miles runs better on it and never would have a vehicle on regular oil

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I bought a then-new 1990 Ford van and used 'dino' oil until about 80,000 miles. I then switched to synthetic oil and ran it until it had 200,000 miles on it. I drove over 50k miles a year because it was my work truck, so the miles racked up quickly.

When it was just over four years old, I sold it when I upgraded to a five-ton diesel International. They guy to whom I sold it also used it as a delivery truck and put even more miles on it than I did. Following my advice, he continued to use synthetic oil in the truck and changed it monthly (about every 5k miles).

It finally died in the summer of 2000 with 500,000 miles on the original 302 V-8 (5.0L), which had never even had a valve cover removed! He had to replace the automatic tranny twice, the alternator twice and the entire A/C system once and the truck eventually started to fall apart - but at ten years of age with 500k ain't too shabby.

You'll have no problem switching to synthetic oil, but be sure to check the level often - since it will "find" any leak in any gasket much faster than regular oil. That synthetic stuff is very slippery and maintains viscosity at a much greater variation in temperature.

Don't forget to change your filter whenever you change the oil, too. Not changing a filter is akin to taking a shower and putting on dirty underwear.
:bash:




P.S. I wonder if the tranny would have fared better with synthetic ATF.