another synthetic oil question

[DFranks]

Is 7000 miles to soon to change over to synthetic? reason why I ask is we have been having extremely cold temps here lately -30c and the dino oil is to thick and cold to circulate to and from my Oilguard by pass filter. (yes I have good oil pressure)



I know it's a bit early to change over just trying to find the best balance in this weather situation.

 

[RobertP]

i would switch over rather than have to deal with the cold starts with dino oil. kinda scarry to think about. if it were me i would be using synthetic in your situation.

 

[nickleinonen]

0w40 esso xd-3 sounds like it would be good for you... i run that year round right now. pretty easy to get in canada [try walmart]



oh, i had less than 10000km when i switched to syn's



the sample i had burned at 11000km on my engine showed good. tbn was a little low on it at that point 10. x, but visc was good. with my driving [99% city] i feel comfortable going 10k - 15k km on the oil...

 

[Glock Guru]

I did my switch over to Amsoil 15w-40 at 7. 5K will no ill effects. Now with 17K plus, things are only getting better. Filled up today and my hand cal. fuel millage in town was 15. 82. I would think the Synthetic oil has played a part.



-Troy

 

[JH8128]

I think you will be fine, I would however suggest changing the oil again in about 7 to 10k. This will fully get rid of any contaminants from the new engine. After that you can go to the extended oil drain. Full synthetic oil is great for the cold weather. If you dont want to cahnge the oil that soon then pull some oil and have an oil analysis done to see how the oil is doing. Good luck.

 

[DWeiler]

Is 7000 miles to soon to change over to synthetic? reason why I ask is we have been having extremely cold temps here lately -30c and the dino oil is to thick and cold to circulate to and from my Oilguard by pass filter. (yes I have good oil pressure)



I know it's a bit early to change over just trying to find the best balance in this weather situation.

i'v been running it in my second genner since 15000kms-Royal Purple,(truck has 32000 on it now--don't drive it much),so far so good,i'm thinking of a bypass too cause the oil turn pretty dark quick running the Mach 4's/Smarty. i might go with the FS2500-who knows,probale be a spring project. ----David

 

[DFranks]

thanks for the feedback

I appreciate the quick response and I will change over to valvoline extreme synthetic as soon as it warms up a bit here.

 

[SKneeland]

i pondered the same thing

9000km on the engine, i changed the oil yesterday and put 15/40 dino in again

definately not broke in yet and the mileage is still horrible.

i think ill pick up one of those magnetic oilpan heaters for the next cold snap

 

[amsoilman]

Is 7000 miles to soon to change over to synthetic? reason why I ask is we have been having extremely cold temps here lately -30c and the dino oil is to thick and cold to circulate to and from my Oilguard by pass filter. (yes I have good oil pressure)



I know it's a bit early to change over just trying to find the best balance in this weather situation.

I changed mine over to the Amsoil brand at 8,500 miles. NOw have over 64,000 on the truck. I utilize by-pass filtering and Oil analysis (every 10,000 miles) have not changed oil since, with no ill effects, just good results.



A lot depends on how the engine is broken in as far as when you can install a full synthetic oil. If you have pulled/hauled heavy loads, your engine will break in much quicker than if you drive easy miles without much pulling/loading.



Wayne

 

[MOates]

Have a friend out in Rock Springs WY with the same question - when to switch to synthetic.



He has an '06 Mega Cab 4X4 6 speed. Since buying the truck about 8 months ago, he's put around 18K miles on it. Mostly highway miles, running down to TX to see his wife and kids, and commuting to his job out in the natural gas fields. Recently he borrowed a coworker's loaded-down toyhauler trailer and ran it over the grades on I-80 down to Salt Lake and back. Couple weeks ago, he made a run out to Missouri to see his parents, and said he noticed a definite improvement in fuel mileage. He's wondering the same thing, if the engine is broken in enough to switch to synthetic. He's planning on using Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W40 from the Fleetguard service center in his town.



On another thread, someone mentioned that in the last issue of TDR they had published Dodge's recommendations as to when to shift over to synthetic oil and which type. Could someone give me a short summary of their recommendations so I can pass this on to my friend?

 

[amsoilman]

Have a friend out in Rock Springs WY with the same question - when to switch to synthetic.



He has an '06 Mega Cab 4X4 6 speed. Since buying the truck about 8 months ago, he's put around 18K miles on it. Mostly highway miles, running down to TX to see his wife and kids, and commuting to his job out in the natural gas fields. Recently he borrowed a coworker's loaded-down toyhauler trailer and ran it over the grades on I-80 down to Salt Lake and back. Couple weeks ago, he made a run out to Missouri to see his parents, and said he noticed a definite improvement in fuel mileage. He's wondering the same thing, if the engine is broken in enough to switch to synthetic. He's planning on using Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W40 from the Fleetguard service center in his town.



On another thread, someone mentioned that in the last issue of TDR they had published Dodge's recommendations as to when to shift over to synthetic oil and which type. Could someone give me a short summary of their recommendations so I can pass this on to my friend?

In my opinion, your friends vehicle is ready for the change! Over the years, I have installed Synthetics in many Dodge/Cummins trucks, and much of the breakin has to do with how the vehicle is driven. I have one friend with a 94' CTD that installed the Amsoil brand in his truck with only 2,000 miles on it. It now has nearly 300,000, and is doing just fine! His first 2,000 miles was pulling a 29 ft 5th wheel. That seemed to break it in much quicker.





wayne

amsoilman

 

[roperteacher]

I agree with all the above, I just switched over to AMSOIL 15/40 Syn with 7500 on my 06. I had done quite a bit of towing prior and even checked with a good diesel mechanic and he said mine was OK to switch. I went from 12MPG pulling my large horse trailer to almost 16. SOme of this could be due to the engine getting more miles, but was pretty dramatic. All had calculated. I also got the latest flash from my dealer so I know that helped too!!