Dealers Recommends Full Synthetic

[IWRBB]

My John Deere lawn tractor has a digital hour meter.

[akirby]

My John Deere lawn tractor has a digital hour meter.

 

Bingo.

 

I've never read it though. I just service it once a year.

[Tacyon]

I think I just heard macbwt mumble something like ..

"There are many hobbs meters but this one is mine ... "

 

[akirby]

"This one is for work. This one is for fun."

[Tightanium]

I don't want to weight in on the weight debate but one factor to be aware of is, if you do not use the oil recommended by Ford or Lincoln and have an engine failure, for any reason, they have the right to void your warranty. (And have done so in the past).

Even though I agree with you it would be total crap if Ford denied your warranty because you used a better oil. But it wouldn't surprise me.

[macbwt]

Yep John Deere mowers have hour (Hobb) Meters as mine does. The 2011+ Edges all have Hobb meters also. My oil testing is throwing the Blackstone Lab folks back on their heals since all I document is hours and not miles. I like to be different sometimes.

[chefduane]

MacT, my 2011 Limited has a Hobbs? Is that part of the MFT software? Never knew this was available! Very cool. I gotta' find that. Thanks!

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

You can effectively the Trip 2 timer as your Hobbs meter, I believe. I have not used the timers on my 2007, but I really should LOL.

[enigma-2]

Even though I agree with you it would be total crap if Ford denied your warranty because you used a better oil. But it wouldn't surprise me.

Believe it was put out years ago in a memo to their dealers about using 10W-40. Dealer told me about it. If there was an engine failure of any kind, the dealer was required to verify if the customer was using the correct weight oil.

[Ron Faldik]

if Mobil 1 synthetic is good enough for Dodge Vipers, Corvette Z06's, and the Space Shuttle...it's good enough for my Edge Sport, and all I ever use .

[enigma-2]

Completely agree. I used to do the full synthetic (Mob 1) but it does cost $20 more.

Unrelated, I had my local tractor dealer pick up my Simplicity Lawn Tractor for annual service. Told them to replace the Dino with Mobile 1 and he refused. Said the tractor needed Dino until broke in. (I think he said 50 hours).

I went down to shop and took my owners manual. It clearly stated that synthetic was ok. He continued to refuse so we called Simplicity engineering and talked with their engine specialist. He backed the dealer and admitted that the OM was wrong, that small engines need Dino during the break in period; to allow the rings and valves to seat. The synthetic is supposed to be too slippery to get a good seal on the rings and valve seats. (Paraphrasing the Simplicity engineer).

I suppose the same logic could be extended to an automobile engine (although the manuals clearly state that synthetic is fine).

Might be the reason that Ford offer a blend in their oil changes, best of both worlds.

[Tacyon]

That is correct info. But, by the time you get your car .... you'd have nearly 50 hours of run time on the motor anyways.

 

When we rebuild motors from the ground up, it's SOP to drain whatever the oil is and replace with fresh. You will always have assembly debris, bushing and other metal deposits. I then run it (use it) for another 1000 or so miles and do it again. Then change to the synth and stretch it out to the 5k mark. Could easily go 10k but ... why.

Edited January 10, 2017 by Tacyon

[davidceder]

I just spent a good deal of time on the Ford web site trying to get specific information about Synthetic oil use in my 2016 sport. The Ford web site is screwed up and chat will not work. I couldn't find much else. I did however fine the below which states that Syn is for Ford and Lincoln passenger cars. It is recommended by Ford and meets all warranty requirements. That should give us a bit relief about any BS voided warranties. I made sure I book marked the page.

Motorcraft® SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

• Top-quality motor oil for Ford and Lincoln passenger cars
• American Petroleum Institute (API)-certified for gasoline engine service ILSAC GF-5 and meets API SN/Energy Conserving
• Manufactured with high-viscosity index, premium-quality, synthetic base oils that provide good high-temperature and low-temperature performance
• Helps minimize engine deposits and wear
• Helps protect against high-temperature oxidation, low-temperature gelling, rust, corrosion and foaming
• Friction-reducing technology provides excellent wear protection and features energy-conserving characteristics, which offer significant improvement in fuel economy when compared to SAE 10W-30 motor oils
• Recommended by Ford Motor Company and meets warranty requirements
• Available in one-quart bottles or 55-gallon quantities

[akirby]

The fact is you can use anything that meets the published specification, synthetic or otherwise.

[enigma-2]

<p>

 

I just spent a good deal of time on the Ford web site trying to get specific information about Synthetic oil use in my 2016 sport. The Ford web site is screwed up and chat will not work. I couldn't find much else. I did however fine the below which states that Syn is for Ford and Lincoln passenger cars. It is recommended by Ford and meets all warranty requirements. That should give us a bit relief about any BS voided warranties.

You misunderstood, the manual allows synthetic and it's use will not void your warranty.

It was the use of the ☆wrong weight☆ oil that Ford will not permit, specifically the use of 40 weight.

My reference to synthetic was that my Simplicity owners manual specifically allowed it and the dealer refused to use it during breaker in. A call to the factory confirmed that it should not be used during the break in period, but the engineer had no answer as to why it was not clear in the manual. It's use in this case didn't void the warranty but it also didn't allow the engine to break in properly.

[Tightanium]

You misunderstood, the manual allows synthetic and it's use will not void your warranty.

It was the use of the ☆wrong weight☆ oil that Ford will not permit, specifically the use of 40 weight.

My reference to synthetic was that my Simplicity owners manual specifically allowed it and the dealer refused to use it during breaker in. A call to the factory confirmed that it should not be used during the break in period, but the engineer had no answer as to why it was not clear in the manual. It's use in this case didn't void the warranty but it also didn't allow the engine to break in properly.

I believe you are completely right. Well said.