full synthetic or conventional oil

[orgulloso4202]

I have a 2002 lincoln ls v6 3.0 with 137k miles. I currently use 5w30 conventional oil, I been thinking of using full synthetic oil but I have heard in older cars it's not recommended. My question to you guys what are the pros and cons. I will be doing my oil change on Friday 5/15/2015 and would like to know. Thanks in advance.

 

[joegr]

Conventional oil is not allowed by Ford (in that your warranty would have been invalidated if you used it during the warranty period). If you read your owner's manual, you will see that it calls for at least a synthetic blend motor oil. On both of mine, I used that until the free oil changes ran out. After that, I have used only full synthetic.

That nonsense about not switching to full synthetic in older cars is just that, nonsense. You can switch anytime your like, and if you don't care for it, you can switch back anytime you like as well.

 

[G-RELL]

Conventional oil is not allowed by Ford (in that your warranty would have been invalidated if you used it during the warranty period). If you read your owner's manual, you will see that it calls for at least a synthetic blend motor oil. On both of mine, I used that until the free oil changes ran out. After that, I have used only full synthetic.

That nonsense about not switching to full synthetic in older cars is just that, nonsense. You can switch anytime your like, and if you don't care PAYING for it, you can switch back anytime you like as well.

Fixed

 

[orgulloso4202]

Joegr thank you for your reply. That's sounds good. I will try full synthetic any particular brand you recommend. Do you recommend for me to use an engine flush before switching to full synthetic. I appreciate your help

 

[joegr]

No engine flush. There are enough detergents in the oil. If you believe that it is dirty, just change the oil early a few times. I mostly use Mobil 1, but I'm sure most of the other brands are okay too. I believe your first gen originally called for 5W30, but there was a notice from Ford later saying to use 5W20. (Note that 0W20 is good too.)

 

[orgulloso4202]

Thanks joegr. Will not flush I have used 5w20 in the past but I notice the engine runs roughly and once I did the oil change a week later the block had no oil. When I switched to 5w30 the engine ran better and the oil didn't leak out . I know that the car leaks little oil but I have taken it to three shops and they can't pin point were it's from. I'll change the oil more frequently

 

[Andrizzle]

I went from using the Motorcraft blend to using full synthetic the last few years - then realized that full is too thin and it leaks through the sensors on top of manifold and has a burning oil smell on WOT. I switched back to the Motorcraft blend and it appears to have solved those annoyances.

 

[orgulloso4202]

Thanks Andrizzel for the info

 

[1LoudLS]

I won't even use conventional oil in my beater chevy with 170k on the clock.

synthetic offers better protection and longer life. around my house, if it needs oil, it gets full synthetic.

 

[orgulloso4202]

Full synthetic high milage it is.

 

[don-ohio]

5w30 Pennzoil Platinum on my 130K miles LS v-6. Just went to Florida and back to OH and used no oil at all. That's 2000 miles at least of driving.I was surprised it did so well. don-ohio ^)

 

[cammerfe]

I use Mobil 1. At 154K on the clock I've never had to add oil between changes.

KS

 

[orgulloso4202]

What grade do you use?

 

[1LoudLS]

What grade do you use?

unless you're building a race engine, I would use what the car says to.

 

[BLADEFOUR]

I just rolled 325k while taking my daughter to work this AM. Let's say I've done few things to keep the ol' war wagon purring like a cheetah in heat.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Thanks joegr. Will not flush I have used 5w20 in the past but I notice the engine runs roughly and once I did the oil change a week later the block had no oil. When I switched to 5w30 the engine ran better and the oil didn't leak out . I know that the car leaks little oil but I have taken it to three shops and they can't pin point were it's from. I'll change the oil more frequently

5w20... is the recommended oil for a new engine. Once the engine gets roughly around 100k miles on it... it will consume some oil. You may step up to 5w30 at that point... to mitigate oil usage and engine wear. It all depends on the abuse of the engine,,, and the consumtion of oil.

I personally... use 0-W40 in my LS,,, only because I understand the symptoms of my engine. I don't recommend what I am doing for most users... and ask others to understand that each engine is dependent on previous maintenance and abuse.

 

[LS-jsf]

I have used nothing but Mobil 1 for 30+ years. That includes some of the coldest and hottest weather in the country. Good stuff.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

I have used nothing but Mobil 1 for 30+ years. That includes some of the coldest and hottest weather in the country. Good stuff.

Agreed!!! I break all of my vehicles in on Pennzoil... then convert to Mobil 1.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

And stay away from Amzoil!!! Their 7,500 mile oil changes are bogus!!! ... unless you want to look at your oil dipstick showing below the "add a quart" level!!!