My owner's manual says to use synthetic blend 5W-20. Do I HAVE to or can I get by with conventional oil? Yes ideally, I'd like to go full synthetic but $50+ for a full synthetic oil change? Damn!

__________________
2003 Ranger XL - 7' bed, Auto Trans., 51K Bone stock except for a Truxedo Lo-Pro QT and a rubber bed mat.

A while back advance had 5 qts of Mobil-1 & a Mobil-1 filter for 29.99..

But Motorcraft Syn-blend 5w-20 and a MC filter shouldn't be close to $50..

__________________

1993 Ford Tempo 2.3L OHV HSC Auto - D/D Stock.
1988 Ford Ranger - 5.0L AOD Swap.
2002 Dodge Caravan - 3.3L Auto

Used to spend about 30 but now its about 55 per change , I use full synthetic . Newer truck , 2010 . My old ranger ( 2000 ) I put synthetic in too after about 50 K . Best thing I ever did .

__________________
Merlin215

2010 Ford Ranger 4 wheel drive
Black
XLT Power Group package

Yes you're fine with normal dino oil still. I don't think synthetic even existed in 1997 so I don't know how your owners manual can even suggest it. None the less, you can use regular oil without a problem.

__________________
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: Air intake, air temperature, MAF, and other fact vs fiction
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

I use Valvoline full synthetic for high mileage engines, 5w30.

LOL, my Ranger is a 2003, my Taurus is the one that's a 1997, which by the way, I use high mileage oil. Like it says in my sig, both have the OHV 3.0L V6.

__________________
2003 Ranger XL - 7' bed, Auto Trans., 51K Bone stock except for a Truxedo Lo-Pro QT and a rubber bed mat.

I use 10w30 penzoil

__________________

1999 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6

I used to run nothing but castrol 10w30, now I run what it calls for in the manual, castrol still but 5w20.

__________________
2001 Ford Ranger Supercab (4dr), Oxford White, 4.0 Sohc, 4x4, Manual trans (hurst equipped), 4:10's, 3" body lift.

5w-30 high mileage penzoil but next oil change going full synthetic

__________________
2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 , Stepside,FRF decals, 4.0L SOHC decals, Primus IQ brake controller, curt 2" rec. hitch, custom winch mount,
Tinted glass, Yellow BUGGMAN OVALS a real treat to have. OHC, CB, night vision goggles, 36" periscope,
DiabloAmarillo = The Yellow Devil

i run mobil 1 5W20 and a WIX filter

__________________
2006 ranger XL
VW TYPE 3 project: BabyBluFASTY
2.3 liters of fire breathing fury
PNW crew
XBGT:fomoco007

motor craft 5w-20 i run it because they come from the factory that way.

__________________
Seductive Tx. Chapter President
http://www.myspace.com/lowridr4life
http://www.myspace.com/seductiveministexas
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?

I use 5w-30 for winter, and 10w-30 for summer. The reasoning: in winter, you want a lower weight of oil so it doesn't gum up, or get thick for your engine. Then I switch to 10w-30 during the summer because heavier oil stands up against heat better.

The brand I use is Castrol GTX high mileage. Never had a problem with them.

5w30(recommended by ford) Mobil 1 full synthetic(it makes my engine happy, I can tell)

Am I the only one that uses motorcraft?

__________________
2010 Ranger Sport Super Cab 4X4
Line X bed liner
United Weld Chrome Tool Box

I have seen a lot of others that use Motorcraft. I have 3 cars so i just use mobil 1 FS on them all. I get it at Walmart and Costocs for about $4 quart. I do use MC filter. I have run Dino in the 2.5 and when i put the full synthetic in it it is much quiter and smoother.......I swear it gives me a little sigh when i put in the full synthetic....