By Bill Farlow
Printed in Coast to Coast Magazine
May 1999
Q. I have a 1999 Ford Super Duty F-250 Power Stroke diesel. I’m interested in installing a bypass filter and using synthetic oil in the engine. What are your recommendations? As you know, changing oil at truck stops and in campgrounds then disposing of the used oil can be a pain.
JAMES HOGUE
Country Village RV Resort, Colorado
A. Here’s the scoop on using synthetic oil for extended drain periods. You absolutely must use a quality bypass oil filter and regular oil analysis. Change filters at normal intervals, and change oil when the analysis shows it is becoming contaminated. Normally, that will be a long, long, time, probably well over 100,000 miles. Amsoil has a report on an over-the-road truck that went for over 400,000 miles with no oil change. Just for the record, the engine was torn down, and all the parts were still in excellent condition. I highly recommend Amsoil, because they’ve been in the synthetic lubricant business longer than anyone else and guarantee their products. . . . You can buy analysis kits from a local big truck dealer or from Amsoil. It’s important that you always use the same laboratory for analysis. The lab will keep a record of y results and notify you if there’s trouble. I suggest he first two analyses be done at 10,000-mile intervals for your own peace of mind. After that, go for 20,000 miles, unless the lab suggest a shorter interval. – C2C
