Swtich To Synthetic Oil

[96chevy7.4L]

I finally made the swtich to synthetic oil. I was curious about it so before making the swtich I contacted Mobil 1. I told them about my truck a 99 chevrolet dually 7.4L 160,000 miles. Lots of heavy towing etc. I normally run 6 quarts of castrol 20w50 with a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Well the cost of the lucas and castrol oil going up in price locally made the Mobil 1 virtually the same price including the filter. I inquired to know there thoughts on swtiching to synthetic. They said absolutely switch so I did. The other day I put in the 7 quarts of Mobil 1 (10W/30 full synthetic) I noticed a difference at startup. Better oil pressure and seems to run alot better. Also a drop in operating temperature about 5 degrees. Could this be due to less parasitic drag? Possibly? I have a big road trip planned for tomorrow to tennessee. So my question to the forum is has anyone else noticed any differences when making the change to synthetic? Thanks ahead of time for any opinions.

[smattei14]

I finally made the swtich to synthetic oil. I was curious about it so before making the swtich I contacted Mobil 1. I told them about my truck a 99 chevrolet dually 7.4L 160,000 miles. Lots of heavy towing etc. I normally run 6 quarts of castrol 20w50 with a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Well the cost of the lucas and castrol oil going up in price locally made the Mobil 1 virtually the same price including the filter. I inquired to know there thoughts on swtiching to synthetic. They said absolutely switch so I did. The other day I put in the 7 quarts of Mobil 1 (10W/30 full synthetic) I noticed a difference at startup. Better oil pressure and seems to run alot better. Also a drop in operating temperature about 5 degrees. Could this be due to less parasitic drag? Possibly? I have a big road trip planned for tomorrow to tennessee. So my question to the forum is has anyone else noticed any differences when making the change to synthetic? Thanks ahead of time for any opinions.

 

 

I def think Syn is better...but I would check the level of your oil daily....when you switch from reg oil to syn oil (esp at your high miles) there tends to be some oil leaks...(sometimes)

 

IMO...the only think I would have done diff....I would have switch to a sem. syn for 3K to 5K miles...then switch to a full syn.

[2005LT]

Maybe before there was more loss pumping that 50 weight oil around? Is that what the manual calls for in that truck?

[96chevy7.4L]

have always run 20/50 in my trucks and the last one went 500,000+ before I sold it. The synthetic thought was only due to the sweltering heat here right now and the fact that I do alot of heavy towning. Just looking for other ways to help the truck deal with this intense heat and to aid it all the way around basically.

[VMax2007]

I def think Syn is better...but I would check the level of your oil daily....when you switch from reg oil to syn oil (esp at your high miles) there tends to be some oil leaks...(sometimes)

 

IMO...the only think I would have done diff....I would have switch to a sem. syn for 3K to 5K miles...then switch to a full syn.

 

Dude! Nice boat and truck, but Holy Huge Sig pic!!! You do know the sig pic size limit is 700 x 200 right?

[2005LT]

Good to know Mike. I was just curious since the weight seemed a little heavy. As far as I've heard, the synthetic will hold up in the heat better so the change makes sense to me.

[96chevy7.4L]

One more question.....I have the derale cooling tube pan (extra 3 quart capacity) and B&M supercooler transmission coooler. The 24000GVW cooler to be exact. Towing my 30 foot gooseneck with a T200 bob cat (about 9000lbs for the tractor alone) I am keeping my transmission temps to about 170 max maybe 180 if sitting still for a few minutes. Would there be any benefit to switching the transmission to synthetic fluid. Its the 4L80E transmission Any thoughts appreciated.

[Black02Silverado]

You should see a mpg increase going from a 20w-50 to a 10w-30. You might see some oil consumption as well. Some do some don't on higher mileage engines. Just keep an eye on your oil for a little while.

[smattei14]

I def think Syn is better...but I would check the level of your oil daily....when you switch from reg oil to syn oil (esp at your high miles) there tends to be some oil leaks...(sometimes)

 

IMO...the only think I would have done diff....I would have switch to a sem. syn for 3K to 5K miles...then switch to a full syn.

 

Dude! Nice boat and truck, but Holy Huge Sig pic!!! You do know the sig pic size limit is 700 x 200 right?

 

 

 

Thanks....Its hard to keep clean....Sorry man...I didn't know that...I will limit it to one pic...which one should I do? haha...

[96chevy7.4L]

Yeah the 20w50 with the lucas oil stablilizer was a lil thick I am guessing but have always had good results. But I like what the synthetic seems to be doing. any thoughts on going to synthetic in the transmission?

[smattei14]

Yeah the 20w50 with the lucas oil stablilizer was a lil thick I am guessing but have always had good results. But I like what the synthetic seems to be doing. any thoughts on going to synthetic in the transmission?

 

 

Yes....AMSOIL...

 

if you do a search....you will find a lot of info about Syn Trans fluid.

[96chevy7.4L]

My black crew cab is very hard to keep clean. I know what you mean there.

[DBVille]

 

 

Yeah the 20w50 with the lucas oil stablilizer was a lil thick I am guessing but have always had good results. But I like what the synthetic seems to be doing. any thoughts on going to synthetic in the transmission?

If you replace the tranny fluid with the currently recommended, by GM, fluid, it will be synthetic. Dexron VI.

[96chevy7.4L]

I didn't know the dexron VI was synthetic. I don't remember what dexron I put in last time. I was what they had at autozone when I dropped the pan last time. With all the heavy towing to do I drop the fluid about every 10,000 and change the fliter and fluid every 30,000. Yes it might be a lil excessive but my temp gauge says otherwise COOL AS A JEWEL. Which every automatic transmission will never complain about. I would rather have the fluid in great shape if you can calll it that. 30 bucks worth of fluid is better then 1800 for a new transmission. The fluid isn't burnt smelling or yellow in color but I figure it helps.

[brims]

Yeah the 20w50 with the lucas oil stablilizer was a lil thick I am guessing but have always had good results. But I like what the synthetic seems to be doing. any thoughts on going to synthetic in the transmission?

 

 

Yes....AMSOIL...

 

if you do a search....you will find a lot of info about Syn Trans fluid.

 

 

I know this doesn't apply to you guys because you have the older models that probably took Dexron iii but anyone with a newer truck should think twice about switching to Amsoil, I have yet to see a Dexron vi version of Amsoil.