This was the lowest mileage I ever had on my Mustang in between oil changes. It was dark, yet still had a somewhat golden hue, but 1,500 miles and nearly one year have passed. I never let any car go beyond one year but it sure seemed like a lot of life left in this dumped oil. Oh well. I've read too many articles about changing the oil yearly even if a few hundred miles.
I always use the Ford Synthetic Blend 5W-20 and the Ford filter. No need to mess with anything else. It works fine.

 

yeah I know what you mean . . . when I just changed mine this spring, because the oil life counter told me it was time, it looked almost new coming out . . . pretty sure the oil life counter thingy on the newer cars will tell you to change it every 6 months, whether it needs it or not

 

I rarely meet the mileage for my summer driven car so I just use Dino Castrol GTX 5w-30 and a Ford filter once a year. Total waste of money for synthetic or blended in my opinion at the places I buy. Been using the same brand oil, but different viscosity's depending on my vehicles, for many years with no issues. I tried running a synthetic in my 02 5.4l F150 once and it drank it like kool-aid.

 

^^ I'm sure the dino is fine but I use what the manual states for my '07. It's not expensive at all in the US.

 

(Bold mine.)
That's... weird. Synthetic vs Synthetic Blend vs Conventional, as long as they meet the same standards and weights, shouldn't cause a difference in oil consumption. They are all interchangeable, for the most part, with the exception really being how long between oil changes. Something else had to be wrong to let that be a thing. I simply don't understand that, and can't find any information to back your claim up.

Please note, I do not dispute you, I am saying it's confusing is all. Conventional oil is a more flammable, easier burning, lower vapor point, more sludge prone/heat breakdown fluid vs the higher refined and/or completely man-made (both can be termed 'full synthetic', by the way) synthetics. Even a synthetic blend is some synthetic and some conventional mixed together to make a 'middle ground' oil that won't 'wear out' as fast compared to conventional.

My guess is your engine was likely not eating the oil as a fuel, but just dumping it out somewhere, and/or you may or may not have changed exchange schedules because synthetic vs conventional, and the extra time meant you saw the oil loss easier? Remember, I'm guessing, but it really, honestly, doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Very curious.

Obviously, do what's working, though!

It is, for the most part, but you'll have to change it more often, like 3000 miles vs 5000, as it 'wears out' faster.

 

My 2003 F150 5.4 was drinking a quart of Mobil1 Synthetic 5w 20 every 300-500 miles from the day it was changed. It did that for around 5000 miles and that was changing it at 3000 and then just giving up so I went back to Motorcraft and then Synthetic Valvoline and it never used a drop of either up until it was sold.
There are motors that do not like a certain kind of oil and have heard from different people with Fords that had the same experience with Mobil1 and even a few with other synthetic brands in the modular motors.
Needless to say I won't even run Mobil1 in my lawnmower since my Honda motor didn't like it either.

 

As weird as it is,I too can vouch for that.

My '89 pushrod 5.0 HO went thru lots of oil when I used Mobil 1 synth.Hardly used any when I used conventional

I read years ago that it's because the synth has better detergents,so it removes the sludge that was sealing the gaskets.I don't recall noticing mine leaking tho,and that wouldn't explain it if it was burning it instead of leaking

 

you guys need to drive your baby's more

 

Man. Three reports on the Mobil 1... maybe I stay away from it...

That's just... weird. But I believe y'all!

 

You are correct. Both my truck and mustang are driven by seasons, mustang summer and truck mostly winter, and usually only 30 miles and less per trip. That's my reason for conventional oil and 3000 mile or once a year changes.

A couple of videos with an engine builders views on synthetic oil results. I tend to agree with him. Don't be misled by the title. It's not bashing the engine.

 

I'm the thumb tack in the chair . I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W30 in my 2011 v6 Mustang and our 3.5L v6 2014 Edge, without any problems or usage. I've been using Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W40 in my 1991 F150 straight 6 (4.9L) for over 8 years without any problems or usage

Sorry.................

 

yes very weird indeed . . . I haven't researched it but have no idea why one brand of oil would sneak past the rings and another one wouldn't

yeah me too . . . been using Mobil-1 in everything for as long as I can remember, and everything runs forever, and nothing consumes oil . . . no plans to change any time soon; except lately I do spend the extra couple bucks to get the "Extended Performance" which I think is a true "Group IV" synthetic base stock; though I'm not sure that really matters

also pretty sure Mobil makes the base stock for most of the other brands and the only difference is the additives; hard to imagine that they give the "good stuff" to others but maybe the additives make a big difference?

but then again I will buy Castrol Edge or whatever other good synthetic is on sale if I see it when I need it

 

I agree I dont put enough miles on my cars to justify an oil change but I figure once a year is good. Especially after sitting for the winter. That's when I usually change it is the spring time.

 

I put less than 3000 miles per year during the spring, summer and early fall months.. Therefore, don't really see the need for changing the oil until the following spring after sitting in the garage over the winter.