I am about to do an oil change on my 08 1500 5.7. I am considering synthetic, but not sure if it is worth the price. Royal Purple 5W-20 is about $9.50 a quart.

Also would like to know if anyone uses synthetic and if you have stuck to the 3000 mile oil change cycle, or have you went further? How much further?

 

I use synthetic, Mobil One 5w-20. During the spring/summer I am strict on the 3000 mile change. I do ALOT of travel trailer towing during those months. Fall and winter I more lax in changing it, but won't pass 4000.

 

Royal Purple is really high end synthetic which is why it costs so much I just switched to Mobil 1 on my last oil change and it's been 3000 miles so I'm going to change it again since I just switched over from dino oil. On this next change though I won't change it again until 4-5000 miles

 

Using Amsoil here and change at approximately 5000 miles. The value of synthetic is at the extremes. Flows good when cold and more resistant to boiling/foaming at high temps. Because of it properties it will provide slightly better gas mileage. While I think the added cost is worth it, what is more important is spending the money on a quality filter and if you extend the changes, it is absolutely necessary.

 

PennZoil Hi-Mileage here. 5w-30 changed every 4K or so (that's about once every eight months). The only ride I have that gets synthetic is the Mazda, 'cause o' the turbo.

 

Mobile 1 5w-30 change every 5k

 

Interesting. I have 7 quarts of RP downstairs only because they didn't have Mobil 1 5x20 in stock here at the time I bought it. The RP was $7.50 +/- per quart, whereas the Mobil 1 was over $8.00/quart.

 

If you do go with synthetic, make sure to buy an extra quart and check your oil level after 2 weeks or so. It has a tendency to use a little after your first change from conventional. Just keep the extra quart for when it gets a little low. Don't add it during the oil change. Get a good filter and you can change it every 5k. It probably offsets the higher cost pretty close.

 

Chet I found RP to be cheaper in some places. I started with RP when I first went to synthetic. Then I started traveling so I went to Mobile for ease of finding it Wal-Mart $28.00 for 5 qts

 

Been using nothing but synthetics for about the last 20 years. I've used 'em all, from Mobil 1 to RP to Amsoil.

I found Mobil 1 made my "Hemi Tick" the loudest, RP and Valvoline SynPower to make it the quietest. All others seemed to be somewhere in between. Simply a decibel perception, I've NEVER had an oil related issue with any brand.

Due to the cost difference, I've pretty much settled in on the Valvoline product for the past couple of years.

I do my changes with usually a Wix (NAPA Gold), Purolator or any filter made by Champion Labs (K&N, RP, Mopar, etc.) every 6000 miles.

Last couple of changes I was able to catch a $28.95 special at Advance on a 5 Qt. jug of SynPower with a K&N filter and they even pro-rate the two extra quarts down a couple of bucks for me...