Why conventional oil before synthetic?

blaise

New Member
Jan 31, 2006
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Atlanta, GA
I don't want to duplicate the lengthy commentary on the conventional vs. synthetic posts or the oil weight posts, but I do have a quick question for someone: Why does everyone seem to stick with conventional oil for the break-in period (or sometimes until about 5K miles) before switching to Mobil 1 or Amsoil? What is the benefit of giving the engine some miles on conventional oil?

Also, what is good oil filter to pair with Mobil 1?
 
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Usually the "conventional" oil is used for break in and is changed very shortly after so that any small particals are flushed out.

It's a cheap way to flush any unwanted materials out of the engine with out wasting good oil.
 
car comes with synthetic blend last i heard. goodyear shop told me that they put in blends now on most cars anyway as most come from factory with blends. and they put teh same stuff in every car unless you specify to them you want somethign different.
 
Just my opinion but ive read that synthetic oil offers too much protection to properly break in an engine. I will go with mobil 1 5w20 conventional oil t'il about 10000 miles, then I will probably switch to synthetic. I will be changing the oil at 500 miles then every 2000 miles t'il I get to 10000. I heard the Wal Mart brand oil filters are superior to alot of others. Cheaper but better, go figure.:D

:canada:
 
Don't be mislead by most of the crap filters out there, some where, I think on this site, there was a guy who spent a ton of time researching filters. most are junk
Do yourself a favor, stick with the motorcraft or at least spend 20 bucks, buy a couple of filters and cut them open. A lot of the " bargain filters" have less filter media, cheap plastic or even cardboard pressure releif valves etc. etc. etc.
I really don't think that saving a couple of bucks on a filter is worth risking an engine
Gord:canada:
 
It's not about saving a couple of bucks. Actually it was on driving television that they evaluated oils and filters and all they said was that even though its walmart brand it still had to go through the same tests other so called higher end oils, like quaker, mobil1 had to go through. So just because it cost more doesn't mean its better. It's made by the same companies that make the name brand oils, just sell it under a different name. you should know that coming from the oil province.
 
blaise said:
I don't want to duplicate the lengthy commentary on the conventional vs. synthetic posts or the oil weight posts, but I do have a quick question for someone: Why does everyone seem to stick with conventional oil for the break-in period (or sometimes until about 5K miles) before switching to Mobil 1 or Amsoil? What is the benefit of giving the engine some miles on conventional oil?

Also, what is good oil filter to pair with Mobil 1?

there may be a bit of truth to that. synthetic oils, in most cases, have superior shear strength, tenacity and temperature/viscosity properties. when the loading limit of the oils boundry layer is exceeded, surface asperities make contact, smoothing the cylider wall. so the synthetic oil may delay the wearing and require greater loading for break-in. that could be why, but i'm not 100% sure. as for the filter, usually a person gets what they pay for, but you could run your own tests on it if you feel the need, although there are some independent tests on the net. good luck. :nice:
 
On the filters, I stick to Motorcraft. Not only do you have to look at how tightly packed the filter is, but the make sure the holes in the bottom are big enough to allow enough oil through.
I rememer awhile back seeing an oil filter eval and Wix was top choice.
 
The '05+ definatly come with Synthetic from the factory. I figured they came with conventional oil for the break in period b/c I have also heard that is better but when I went in for my first oil change at the dealership I asked out of curiousity and they said they come with synthetic from the factory.
 
In many tests Conventional Oil and Full Synthetic offered the same protection. Differences are the synthetic oil is not affected as much by temperature, so in cold weather it won't thicken and thus delay the engine from pumping it. Even consumer reports did a study on NYC cabs, all new vehicles and all put under major testing till they reach a certain mileage. They didn't notice any difference.
I would go with the idea that an engineered material will bond and stick to a surface better then a refined material, but i have no data to support it.
The break in, of the engine, may be affected but really there is no proof. I did the dino oil for the first 500 miles then switched to synthetic. Had absolutley no problems. Either way you should always change your oil in short intervals when you first purchase it, as the engine is breaking in and metal shavings will pile up in the filter even if you use dino or synthetic. But again its my opinion and some agree some don't.