Best Oil Type?

sculver · Jun 16, 2006

Okay, this is not a "What's better, synthetic or dino oil?" thread. I'm already a fan of synthetic fluids but have read on different threads here in Titan Talk that the Titan Endurance engine doesn't like synthetic motor oil.

So my question is this, if I use a synthetic motor oil that meets all the current specifications required and is the same weight (5W30 or 10W30) the owner's manual calls for, what problems could there be? I thought synthetic was superior for cold starts (I live in Omaha, NE and beleive me it gets cold here in the winter!) and is superior for hot weather and/or severe service like towing (I tow a 4200 lb. boat locally on the weekends during the summer).

I changed the factory fill at around 800 miles and did another change with about 2000 on the odometer both times using regular 10W30 motor oil (Valvoline). I'd like to start using synthetic oil for the reasons I mentioned above (cold and towing) but I'm not sure why folks have written that the Titan does not like synthetic motor oil. Would using a synthetic actually harm the Titan engine?

Any advice would be much appreciated as I would like maximum protection for this outstanding powerplant! Thanks for the advice!

Regards,

Steve

sudden urge · Jun 16, 2006

I don't remember ever seeing posts that said, " Titan Endurance engine doesn't like synthetic motor oil."

sudden urge · Jun 16, 2006

I'm using Pennzoil 5w-30 and will continue to do so. I guess I'm lucky not to have any of that cold start clatter that many have reported.

sculver · Jun 16, 2006

What I've read on Titan Talk was some using synthetic motor oil had increased noise from the engine (valves, OHC, etc.).

I'm just not sure why there would be a difference if the oil is regular dino oil or synthetic. I've always read synthetic was far superior for protecting an engine under harsh cold/hot climates.

Where am I going with all this? I traded in my 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab
(4.7 SOHC V-8) for the Titan (Thank God!). Last summer I tried using Walmart synthetic (10W30) in the Dodge engine during the summer/towing months. I noticed a slight increase in MPG and the engine ran cooler. I was pretty happy with the oil but wanted to have an analysis run just in case. Blackstone labs sent the report attached which seemed to confirm it was doing a good job.

I was thinking about using this oil in the Titan but read how the Titan does not like synthetic oil.

Thanks.

Steve

CraigG · Jun 16, 2006

That is not true some have reported alittle more noise using reg. Mobile 1 but that is kind of a trait with that oil wont hurt anything. This engine will do fine with either dino or synthetic with the cold starts a good syn may be worth the extra$$ I have been running all kinds of synthetic oils and havnt had any trouble with any of them.

ArmyAviation · Jun 16, 2006

Remember synthetic runs alittle thinner then dino, I'm running Mobile1 0-40 right now and I dont have any valve train noise at all. And yes synthetic is a better oil then dino, thats why we use it in aviation. Dino couldnt hold up in the high temps that turbins put out.

cheekjo · Jun 18, 2006

My Nissan dealer uses Quaker State Syn Blend in all their oil changes.

DelawareDon · Jun 23, 2006

After the 1000 mile "dino dump," I've used nothing but synthetic in both of my Titans....Amsoil in the first and Mobil 1 in the second. Both have worked well with absolutely no valve clatter on start-up.

Truck41 · Jun 23, 2006

I use a blend; four parts castrol GTX 10/30. three parts castrol syntec synthetic 10/30

Bayou Titan · Jun 23, 2006

sudden urge said:
I don't remember ever seeing posts that said, " Titan Endurance engine doesn't like synthetic motor oil."

Here's one.

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/tit...itan-general-discussion/8932-just-drained-mobil-1-a.html?highlight=just+drained

.

5.6 · Jul 4, 2006

im running a blend in mine. 5 qts. mobil 1 5-30 and 2 qts. advanced auto brand dino 5-30.

works great, no noise,

SKEET · Apr 14, 2007

CraigG said:
That is not true some have reported alittle more noise using reg. Mobile 1 but that is kind of a trait with that oil wont hurt anything. This engine will do fine with either dino or synthetic with the cold starts a good syn may be worth the extra$$ I have been running all kinds of synthetic oils and havnt had any trouble with any of them.

How often should you change your oil using synthetic?

Bayou Titan · Apr 14, 2007

SKEET said:
How often should you change your oil using synthetic?

I darn sure wouldn't change it every 3,000 miles.

SKEET · Apr 14, 2007

Bayou Titan said:
I darn sure wouldn't change it every 3,000 miles.

I don't change dino oil that often.

bestatchess · Apr 14, 2007

I have been running M1 for 50,000+ miles, changed every 7,500 w/o excessive noise or other problems. But yeah, if you are going to change every 3,000, I would use something cheaper, like Chevron or Halvoline.

KYDeepwater · Apr 15, 2007

All of the synthetic oils are a mixture of ester and poly alpha olefin base fluids. Mobil 1 has an advantage right now because they also use an alkylated naphthalene as a third type of base fluid. The alkylated naphthalene solubilizes sludge and other dirt and keeps the engine cleaner. Mobil has a patent on the stuff. All oils that meet the required specifications use nearly the same additive package, most of them buy the blend from Lubrizol in Cleveland. Royal Purple has a little different additive package that helps with micro-abrasive wear in the engine. I think there is a slight advantage with Mobil 1. I have done 7,500 mile interval changes with it since new. No noise at 53,500 miles.

royr · Apr 15, 2007

So far I have tried Dino oil and synthetic. Any oil that is the correct rating and clean seems to do the job. Just a matter of how long it holds up between changes. I change dino oil at 2000 mile intervals and synthetic at 5000. The Loews is a 3 mile round trip - and the Home depot 12 - so I do ALOT of short trips with full loads. I consider this heavy duty service.

Titan5683 · Apr 20, 2007

I am running Royal Purple 10/30 in my truck and I DO have clatter when it starts up. I think from reading this thread I will try mobil 1 next time to see if it goes away. I have had two cats replaced on my truck so far so I hope it's not more serious than the oil

Bayou Titan · Apr 20, 2007

royr said:
I change dino oil at 2000 mile intervals

How often do you change your automatic transmission and differential fluids? Just curious.

royr · Apr 22, 2007

I do all my own work and I like to keep things clean. I changed to synthetic gear oil in the differentials at 10,000 miles 75W 140 in rear and 75W 90 in front and will change them every 30,000 K from now on. Have done the same schedual with the trans using that Nissan J-matic. Have been afraid to try anything else in the trans. Has anyone else tried a different brand trans fluid yet? How did it work out for you?

Best Oil Type?

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