I have a 2008 1500 with ~25000 miles. Considering going to synthetic. Any thoughts, do's or dont's from the crowd? I am looking at Royal Purple or Mobile 1. Wondering also if anyone has any idea how long either of these oils will last in this vehicle (generally). Any personal experiences?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I went to synthetic at about 70k miles. When i went to change it, several quarts were "missing". I say missing because there was never any evidence of a leak or burning, it just wasnt in there. I put the same stuff back in it and just changed it again about a month ago. This time it was fine. No idea what happened. I am using pennzoil platinum synthetic. I went with rhe shell product because that was what was always used and sometimes i have my tire guy change my oil while i have it there to get the tires rotated and he only uses shell products. Nothing wrong with mobil 1 though. No experience with the purple stuff.

 

I noticed a quieter engine. A little better milage. I would do the change over. Castrol Syntec is what I use.

 

I have switched almost every car I have owned over to synthetic, most with over 100k when I switched them. The first couple changes and a quart or so disappears, then the consumption levels off. I notice smoother idling engines with synthetic, and sleep better at night knowing my engine is clean. I have always used either M1 or Pennzoil Platinum and changed at 5000 miles. Many say you can go longer but for 5000 is a good number, easy to track and do tire rotations at every change. For my change intervals RP or anything above M1 would be a waste, plus AZ runs a sweet deal with 5 quarts and a free M1 filter every couple months.

 

There is not one single reason NOT to do it unless you are cheap and like to buy cheap oil

 

Why wouldn't you switch to full synthetic?

Non-Synthetic is recommended to be changed every 3,000 miles.
Synthetic is recommended to be changed every 6,000 miles. (Some do it at 5,000, or more, or less - not my point)

If you were to use non-synthetic you would have to pay for the oil and labor every 3,000.

If you were to use synthetic you would get twice as many miles with only having to pay for labor once. Granted the oil cost more but if you factor that in, you are paying just as much over the 6,000 miles as you would have been with non-synthetic.

My mechanic charges me $30 for a non-synthetic and $60 for a synthetic oil change. Seems like a no brainer to me. As much as I love shooting the sh*t with him, if I don't have to waste my time on the weekend visiting him I wont.

 

I use castrol edge titanium, you get what you pay for when you buy oil.

 

Mobile 1 is not what it used to be. I am by no means an oil connoisseur but I know Royal Purple and Amsoil are some of the higher quality full syns out there.

 

Switched to synthetic at about 6k,almost 80K ago. Am happy with the results, easier starting in the winter, feel it reduced the "tick" and everything looks clean. I use Amsoil, reduced the weight to 5W-20 and change it at about 5k. That's the point where the level on the stick is getting closer to the add line and I rather just due the oil change.

 

I've been using nothing but synthetic for over 20 years now, with a premium filter and have never had an engine related problem.

As far as the brand goes, I have to agree on Mobil 1, I used it for the first 15 years or so that I used synthetic and my Hemi seems to tick loudest with Mobil 1 in the crankcase and seems to be quietest on Royal Purple and Valvoline SynPower. Only other synthetic I've put in there was Castrol Edge and the tick was quieter than Mobil 1 but not quite as quiet as with RP & Valvoline.

Usually use a Wix (Napa Gold) filter unless there is a deal on a good one free with the oil purchase. Purolator is good as is any filter made by Champion Labs (RP, K&N, etc.). Changes for me are at 6000 miles unless I'm running a lot up at the farm where there are mainly dusty dirt roads, I tow more and there is a lot more off-road driving and then I'll go 5000 miles...