Conventional or Synthetic? First oil change on new-to-me '14 w/ 70k

[jp28173]

I bought my 2014 RAM 1500 5.7 back in May with about 66,500 miles. I'm now at 69,7xx miles and the "oil change required" came on last week, but the sticker in the top corner of the windshield from the place I bought it from says next oil change due at 70 or 71,***. They did not tell me whether or not they used conventional or synthetic (probably conventional to save them a few bucks). The truck is in pristine shape inside and out, so the previous owners took VERY good care of it. Per the Carfax report the oil was changed every 4-5k miles by the first owner up to 28,000 when it was sold to the second owner. The last "logged" oil change (or any service for that matter) on Carfax was at 28,000 miles so I'm assuming the second owner may have been a DIY'er (at least I hope!!!)

No way of knowing whether synthetic or conventional has been used for the life of the engine thus far, and I've heard its bad to switch to synthetic from conventional if an engine has always used conventional, and vice versa... So, question is since my first oil change is due what would you all recommend I go with?

 

[Burla]

It is a myth that you cannot go back and forth synthetic and conventional. Same basic components that are completely compatible. It's just that syn oil has more additives that allows for a longer interval and less contamination. Hemi's should always be on a syn oil imo.

 

[Treburkulosis]

Its across the board. V6's as well call for Synthetic. Synthetic as the owners manual says.

 

[heefageLA]

Ive always use Redline 5w30 with Royal Purple 10-48 Filter, changed out every 5-6k miles. Usually my truck says I have around 40% oil life left, but I refuse to drive nearly 10k miles on that oil. Not happening.

 

[Treburkulosis]

I run and have ran Castrol Edge with a purolator boss filter since 60k. I just hit 140k and no issues. Great oil and I still am holding 60+ psi and 40+ hot and sitting still. Redline and PUP are also great oils for the hemi. Wifes Pacifica is on PUP and my Charger is on Castrol edge.

 

[fijicorey]

Have you seen the synthetic oil thread? It's currently sitting at over 4,200 pages of conversations regarding this.

Synthetic Oil

Control system, royal purple, or valvoline synpower? Which would you or do you use? Also is the oil change message triggered by a specific mileage engine hour or what? Sent from my LT26w using Tapatalk 2

www.ramforum.com

 

[heefageLA]

Have you seen the synthetic oil thread? It's currently sitting at over 4,200 pages of conversations regarding this.

Synthetic Oil

Control system, royal purple, or valvoline synpower? Which would you or do you use? Also is the oil change message triggered by a specific mileage engine hour or what? Sent from my LT26w using Tapatalk 2

www.ramforum.com

Careful now. You're handing over Pandora's Box full of worms pulled from a rabbit hole...

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I've run conventional, then synthetic, then semi synthetic then synthetic. Truck does not know the difference, only I know the difference

 

[Travis8352]

Im amazed at how many people think once you go synthetic you cant go back

 

[HEMIMANN]

Synthetic oil is nothing more than a more uniform hydrocarbon molecule than refined crude mineral oil. They are totally miscible (soluble). Do what you wish.

The only thing I'd plead is don't use a semi-synthetic oil because you are wasting your money on a half-a$$ oil. Use full synthetic.

 

[Travis8352]

Synthetic oil is nothing more than a more uniform hydrocarbon molecule than refined crude mineral oil. They are totally miscible (soluble). Do what you wish.

The only thing I'd plead is don't use a semi-synthetic oil because you are wasting your money on a half-a$$ oil. Use full synthetic.

My boss literally told me one day when he asked me if i thought it was okay to mix syn and conventional i said well they do make syn blends and he says look my theory is how does the engine know wtf is in it i mean they dont go tellin those oil field guys today your drilling for synthetic. Im still a little confused on that one lol

 

[abouttobeglue]

I had my oil changed by express oil after I ran out of dealer changes at 68k and they used 5w30 valvoline synthetic. Changed it myself after 5k and used 5w20 castrol magnatec synthetic, no issues yet.

 

[NOV87]

... don't use a semi-synthetic oil because you are wasting your money on a half-a$$ oil.

Would that make it semi-a$$ oil?

 

[Rod Knock]

Tom NJ said it best:

"Synthetic chemicals are defined by the final processing steps, not the origin of matter from billions of years ago. In chemistry, a synthetic molecule is made by reacting two or more smaller molecules, elements, or radicals to create a new larger and more complex molecule. In lubricants, synthetic is a marketing term implying higher performance through the exclusive use Group III, Group IV and/or selected Group V base oils. Group III base oils do not technically meet the chemistry definition of synthetic, however, since 90+% of its molecules were created new by man by altering or rearranging mineral oil molecules, many feel the term synthetic does applies. Others apply it by place more emphasis on the base oil performance properties than on how it was made. There are some motor oils that claim to use only "true" synthetic base oils, but there is no reason to believe these oils will perform better due to these base oils, as the additive system plays a greater role in the finished oil performance. You can be sure, however, that they will be more expensive. All definitions of "synthetic" lubricants are based on the base oil content only, exclusive of additives or small amounts of diluent oil. While this may be academically interesting, none of it really matters when selecting a motor oil. You only need to be concerned with the specifications and approvals the oil has, and the reputation of the oil manufacturer making such claims."

Source: https://tinyurl.com/tomnj

 

[HEMIMANN]

In fact, a court of law ruled that API Group III base oils met the definition of the word 'synthetic' and could therefore be marketed and labeled as such. Before there were API Groupings, that is. Hence the API groupings resulting to stop the inter-corporate oil marketing feuds. From the infamous Mobil lawsuit against Castrol marketing.

For applications that have moderate oil change intervals, for whatever reasons, Group III base oils are plenty good enough. Bizarre applications such as Hemi engine architecture is an exception - still need moderate OCI's for the same reason need outstanding base stocks and additives - Hemi engines are poorly lubricated!

 

[gfh77665]

... about 66,500 miles. I'm now at 69,7xx miles and the "oil change required" came on last week, but the sticker in the top corner of the windshield from the place I bought it from says next oil change due at 70 or 71,***.

You have a great opportunity to do the change at the round number of 70,000. After that, change every 5,000. 75,000, then 80,000, and so on. This is what I do with all my vehicles.

 

[huntergreen]

Im amazed at how many people think once you go synthetic you cant go back

At one time, back in the late seventies and eighties, it was true that you couldn’t go back and forth. Different additives would affect the engine seals differently. Of course the seals have been updated and this is no longer true.

 

[Steve S King]

Hemimann, I like your statement there, I also have a 17 2500 6.4 4x4, bought it with 84K on it, runs great, but I want to upgrade it with a tuner as well and would like your recommendations, if you will, as to what is a good combo.
I know there are MANY variables, looking for a basic idea to start the process. Only thing on the motor is a K&N CAI, which I don't think is really doing anything.
ANY info would be helpful.

 

[huntergreen]

Oops

 

[Octane]

My boss literally told me one day when he asked me if i thought it was okay to mix syn and conventional i said well they do make syn blends and he says look my theory is how does the engine know wtf is in it i mean they dont go tellin those oil field guys today your drilling for synthetic. Im still a little confused on that one lol

I thought I was sold stock in synthetic oil wells....lol