Conventional vs. Synthetic

[fuzz-ion]

The owner's manual for my 2008 Fusion V6 says to use a Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved) synthetic oil, but says I can use conventional oil as long as it's also Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved). (I presume this is code for "buy our more expensive synthetic.") What kind of oil do y'all use in your Fusions? Full Synthetic? Conventional? A blend (and what proportions)? And what is your rationale for doing so?

[bbf2530]

The owner's manual for my 2008 Fusion V6 says to use a Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved) synthetic oil, but says I can use conventional oil as long as it's also Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved). (I presume this is code for "buy our more expensive synthetic.") What kind of oil do y'all use in your Fusions? Full Synthetic? Conventional? A blend (and what proportions)? And what is your rationale for doing so?

 

Hi fuzz-ion. :D Please reread your Owners Manual. It does not state to use Synthetic Oil. What it states is your car comes from the Factory filled with Motorcraft Semi-Synthetic Motor Oil.

Conventional, Semi-Synthetic and Synthetic are the three basic types of automotive engine oil. Which of the three types you fill with at oil change time is up to you, as long as it meets the following performance specification, WSS-M2C930-A.

 

This is outlined in the Owners Manual in the following section (I copied and pasted):

Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil

Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline Engines” by the American

Petroleum Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms

to the current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel

economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and

Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese

automobile manufacturers.

To protect your engine’s warranty use Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an

equivalent SAE 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A.

SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and durability

performance meeting all requirements for your vehicle’s engine.

 

Essentially, you just need to use a 5W-20 oil that meets the WSS-M2C930-A Specification. It does not have to be Synthetic or even Semi-Synthetic. And while you still should read the oil container label to be sure, essentially any automotive motor oil sold by the major names (Mobil, Penzoil, Havoline, Motorcraft, Quaker State, etc etc.) will meet that specification.

 

If you decide to use a Semi-Synthetic (or a "Blend", as some call it), you do not mix or blend a Synthetic Oil and a Conventional Oil yourself. You purchase a Semi-Synthetic ("Blend") at the store.

 

I have my oil changes done by the Dealer, and they fill with the Motorcraft 5W-20 Semi Synthetic. There are discount coupons available for the oil changes on the Ford Fleet and Ford Genuine Service websites.

 

But again, the Manual does not say use Synthetic Oil. You can if you want, but that is up to you.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[JohnS]

The owner's manual for my 2008 Fusion V6 says to use a Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved) synthetic oil, but says I can use conventional oil as long as it's also Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved). (I presume this is code for "buy our more expensive synthetic.") What kind of oil do y'all use in your Fusions? Full Synthetic? Conventional? A blend (and what proportions)? And what is your rationale for doing so?

 

 

I'm running Mobil 1 5w20 in my '06 SE V6 AWD Fusion. At almost 26K miles I have no issues with the car. By accident my last oil change was about 10K miles since the previous change. I was getting nervous but the Fusion proved to be a trooper. I do purchase the 5-quart jug of Mobil 1 at WalMart for about $23.00 (then add one more quart separately).

 

John

[FordDieselDoctor]

Motorcraft makes a semi synthetic and also a full synthetic. The synthetic is supposed to be reasonably priced. I don't know the exact price per quart.

[fuzz-ion]

Hi fuzz-ion. :D Please reread your Owners Manual. It does not state to use Synthetic Oil. What it states is your car comes from the Factory filled with Motorcraft Semi-Synthetic Motor Oil.

 

Heh! Guess I should've double-checked that before I posted! Still got the nagging feeling that I've heard somewhere else that Ford recommends full synthetic but says you can use conventional "if you have to." Thought it was the manual but obviously not. Maybe I'm thinking of something else?

 

Anyway, what are the advantages/disadvantages to conventional, semi-synthetic, or synthetic? Does it matter long-term which I use--i.e., will my engine last longer if I use one over another? Or does it not make much of a difference?

[bbf2530]

Heh! Guess I should've double-checked that before I posted! Still got the nagging feeling that I've heard somewhere else that Ford recommends full synthetic but says you can use conventional "if you have to." Thought it was the manual but obviously not. Maybe I'm thinking of something else?

 

Anyway, what are the advantages/disadvantages to conventional, semi-synthetic, or synthetic? Does it matter long-term which I use--i.e., will my engine last longer if I use one over another? Or does it not make much of a difference?

 

Hi fuzz-ion. :D In the real world, performing regular oil changes and routine maintenance on time will have a bigger impact on your engines longevity than whether you use conventional, semi-synthetic or synthetic oils. Of course this is assuming all other variables such as oil specification (remember WSS-M2C930-A) are equal.

 

Will you see less wear over the long run by using a synthetic over a semi-synthetic, and a semi-synthetic over a conventional? Yes, over the long run. Unless you are keeping your car for 300,000 miles, most other parts of your car will wear out before your engine internals will.

 

In general, no well maintained engine that has seen regular oil changes with the proper spec oil has failed due to the oil being the sole problem.

 

So, the advantages of Synthetic Oils: Less engine wear and slightly improved fuel mileage.

 

Disadvantages of Synthetic? The only disadvantage is higher costs for oil changes.

 

Again, my advice would be to do what I do (otherwise I wouldn't do it ): Go to the Ford Genuuine Service website and download the coupons for the Semi-Synthetic oil change specials. Usually $22 or so. Use the coupons and have your oil changes done at your Ford Dealer.

 

Of course, this is my opinion and others will have varying opinions. And I respect their right to that opinion, as long as they respect mine. Any opinion based on fact is a good one.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[NHJonesy]

My wife's car is a 2007 Fusion SE. Owner's manual says two different specs, 1 for US and 1 for Canada:

 

Motorcraft SAE 5W-20

Premium Synthetic

Blend Motor Oil (US)

 

Motorcraft SAE 5W-20

Super Premium Motor

Oil (Canada)

 

There is footnote after (Canada) which states:

 

Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the

requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.

 

So why the difference in specs between countries?

 

My wife paid $34 for an oil/filter change 6 months or so ago at one location, and today it cost $90 at another location because they said the specs on the car called for the premium synthetic oil. We ain't paying $90 again so I need to get this cost lowered. I'm guessing I will get the biggest cost cutting by using convention oil.

[akirby]

My wife's car is a 2007 Fusion SE. Owner's manual says two different specs, 1 for US and 1 for Canada:

 

Motorcraft SAE 5W-20

Premium Synthetic

Blend Motor Oil (US)

 

Motorcraft SAE 5W-20

Super Premium Motor

Oil (Canada)

 

There is footnote after (Canada) which states:

 

Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the

requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.

 

So why the difference in specs between countries?

 

My wife paid $34 for an oil/filter change 6 months or so ago at one location, and today it cost $90 at another location because they said the specs on the car called for the premium synthetic oil. We ain't paying $90 again so I need to get this cost lowered. I'm guessing I will get the biggest cost cutting by using convention oil.

 

The specs are identical - it's the same oil it just has a different name in Canada.

[NHJonesy]

Thanks akirby. Wish I had known about this forum before-hand. I checked out bbf2530's suggestion to look for coupons at http://www.genuineservice.com, We coulda done the oil change for $29.95 using the recommended oil. Nothing like giving $60 bucks away.

[QuoVadis69]

Thanks akirby. Wish I had known about this forum before-hand. I checked out bbf2530's suggestion to look for coupons at http://www.genuineservice.com, We coulda done the oil change for $29.95 using the recommended oil. Nothing like giving $60 bucks away.

 

Its also depends in what weather condition you're running your car. I saw a documentary about Conventional VS Synthetic oil during Xtrem hot& Extreme Cold Condition (for a car xtreme cold its just under -20 BTW) and for the same GRADE of oil (5w20) the synthetic was staying very liquid even under -45 degrees and the conventional was getting thicker( even if its the same grade, which the grade is suppose to determine the thickness).

 

For me, living in cold weather (-30 avg in winter time) i rather pur xtra $$$ in oil and be worry free...

 

I have Mobil1 5w20 in engine and also Synthetic oil in tranny.

 

P.S : the documentary i saw wasnt an bullshit thing. it was part of my mechanical engineering course.

[FusionFL]

I am from central Florida and I have heard that the 5W20 oil is way too thin, even for todays close tolerance engines. Is that true. Does anyone use 5W30 or 10W30?

 

I live in central FL and am hesitant to use that type of oil due to the high heat, high speeds experienced here in the sunshine state.

[Grey]

I am from central Florida and I have heard that the 5W20 oil is way too thin, even for todays close tolerance engines. Is that true. Does anyone use 5W30 or 10W30?

 

I live in central FL and am hesitant to use that type of oil due to the high heat, high speeds experienced here in the sunshine state.

 

Do not use 5W30 or 10W30. Your engine was designed to run at 212 degrees and the oil used should have a cSt value between 9 and 10 at these temperatures - 0W20 or 5W20 is required.

 

Many people are under the misconception that oil pressure = lubrication! Not so. Flow = lubrication. Flow also helps cool the engine. Your cooling system is designed to control the heat and keep the engine around 212 degrees.

 

Oil does not thin at operating temperatures, it thickens at cool temperatures. Approximately 90% of engine wear occurs at start-up. You want as thin an oil at start-up as possible that will provede 9-10 cSt at operating temperatures (212 degrees). If you are racing or constantly pullinbg heavy loads you might need a different weight oil but we won't likely see 302 degree operating temperatures in our vehicles unless the cooling system is not cooling properly.

 

Look at the specifications of various oil brands and weights. Compare the values at 70 degrees and 212 degrees. The lower at 70 the better, and 9-10 cSt at 212.

 

Climates that are constantly below freezing can benefit from 0W20 weight semi-synthetic and full synthetic oils. They will help reduce wear at start-up and provide slightly improved fuel economy.

[AEW]

The owner's manual for my 2008 Fusion V6 says to use a Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved) synthetic oil, but says I can use conventional oil as long as it's also Motorcraft (or Motorcraft-approved). (I presume this is code for "buy our more expensive synthetic.") What kind of oil do y'all use in your Fusions? Full Synthetic? Conventional? A blend (and what proportions)? And what is your rationale for doing so?

 

My opinion is to use the full synthetic. I just bought an '08 Milan and changed the oil immediately with Mobil 1 full synthetic. I have a ’05 Ford Escape that I bought new. I have always used full synthetic and every time I open the engine cap there is not one sign up sludge build up in the engine(compared to cars that I used conventional oil). Looks brand new, just like it did when I drove it off the lot. Is it expensive, yes. However, like another post said, you may not benefit from the use depending on how long you keep the car, but engine build up will happen over time. And with the low amount of tolerance built into the engines the unrestricted flow of oil to engine parts is important.

[Grey]

My opinion is to use the full synthetic. I just bought an '08 Milan and changed the oil immediately with Mobil 1 full synthetic.

 

Not a good idea. I'm sure your motives were good but you should leave the factory fill in for 1,000 to 3,000 miles to permit ring seating.

[AEW]

Not a good idea. I'm sure your motives were good but you should leave the factory fill in for 1,000 to 3,000 miles to permit ring seating.

 

 

I agree, but I should have been more clear. I bought a used '08 with 17,500 miles.

[Houckster]

I have joined this board because I am seriously considering the Fusion as a replacement for my Ranger once the Fusion has all the features I want to see.

 

Nothing starts a flame war like a discussion about oils. Still I thought I would venture an alternative opinion.

 

Ford recommends a 5W20 oil. I don't think it's the best oil possible and I would change immediately upon taking delivery of any Fusion I purchase.

 

5W20 is a compromise lubricant and no compromise is necessary. Also I would be surprised that Ford's semi-synthetic and full-synthetic oils are "synthetic" in the true sense. Most likely their version of a synthetic lubricant is a Group III petroleum. This is not what most people consider a real synthetic lubricant.

 

As noted by many, the viscosity of the lubricant is oriented towards reducing wear at start-up. It does this by compromising wear resistance at normal operating temperature. As an additional measure, the 5W20 oil is formulated for additional durability in the sense that it maintains its like-new properties for a longer length of time. The oil reflects Ford's expectation that the oil will thicken somewhat as it ages, especially with the longer intervals that OEMs are recommending these days.

 

My thoughts are based on my experience with a Ford Focus for which 5W20 was recommended plus a Focus SVT and Ford Ranger for which 5W30 was the recommendation.

 

At 1300 miles, I changed to a 5W50 true synthetic oil in the Focus. I then drove the car as normal for the next 18K miles without a change. During that time, I consumed about 9.5 ounces of lubricant that, with subsequent experience, was more than I should have anticipated. Nevertheless, not once did the car give any indication of a problem. The engine started easily summer and winter and I always got at least 2-3 MPG better than the EPA estimate around town and on the expressways. At 18K I traded for an SVT because the Focus was simply underpowered.

 

I installed the same lubricant in the SVT at 550 miles and owned it for about 22K miles. I never changed the oil and it always started up fine and got better mileage than the EPA estimate. Oil consumption was about half of what it was on the first Focus leading me to believe that the first miles on a new engine are critical in terms of maintaining the tight tolerances that keep an engine efficient and clean. I might still have that car now had it not been one of the worst rattletraps I was ever cursed to buy.

 

A Ranger replaced the Focus and I've had that for 42K miles. I installed the oil in January, 2004 and I've had about 4-6 oz of consumption in that time. Mileage is about 4 MPG above the EPA estimate. I would guess that about 65% of the driving is light city/suburban driving.

 

From this experience, I've concluded that 5W20 isn't necessary and that one can use a high quality true synthetic like the 5W50 oil I've used without problem so far as wear (whether the engine is cold or hot) or mileage is concerned.

 

Finally, it is entirely unnecessary to wait for the engine to "break-in". With the tight tolerances required by our emissions standards, engines are essentially broken-in as they roll out of the factory. There is absolutely no reason Ford couldn't immediately equip their engines with a 5W-40 true synthetic right on the assembly line.

[Grey]

Do not use an oil that does not meet the Ford spec. for your vehicle. Only use 5W20 or 0W20 in the Fusion. Our engines are designed to operate on oils that have a cSt value of 9-10 at operating temperatures (100 degrees C).

0W40 has far in excess of that (cSt=14). If you want to maintain your warranty, use the correct oils and maintenance schedule.

 

Developing the specifications for engine lubricants is "Rocket Surgery". The Ford engine engineers know best.

[akirby]

Not to mention that 5W20 or 0W20 will give better fuel economy than 20W50. There is nothing wrong with Ford recommended oils if you follow the recommended change intervals.

[Houckster]

Not to mention that 5W20 or 0W20 will give better fuel economy than 20W50. There is nothing wrong with Ford recommended oils if you follow the recommended change intervals.

The oil I use is a 5W50 oil, not 20W50.

 

And I always get better mileage than the EPA estimate that's derived from a car using 5W20 oil since that's what Ford recommends and they test with the oil they recommend. This was true with both Focus' and the Ranger.

 

5W20 oil provides an almost unmeasureable improvement in fuel-efficiency on the street. What 5W20 saves in reduced pumping losses is more than compensated for by decreased friction between moving parts when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. At this temperature, a 5W20 oil has an effective viscosity of seven, that's not enough to prevent some metal-to-metal contact.

 

My conclusions are based on practical experience over the last seven years.

[akirby]

My conclusions are based on my extremely unscientific and totally anecdotal experience over the last seven years.

 

Fixed it for you.

 

Anything-W-50 is way too thick for these engines at temperature. Nobody has reported worse than normal wear from using 5W20 if it's changed regularly.