Just to clarify, Valvoline Max Life is NOT a synthetic blend oil. It is regular oil with extra additives and detergents designed for higher milage engines. There is a Max Life Synthetic, but it is a full synthetic oil. Valvoline does make a synthetic blend oil called DuraBlend. It is a synthetic/conventional oil mix, but it is not a high milage formulation. (PS - Quaker State & Pennzoil are owned by the same parent company.)
As for brand, I'd go with Valvoline or Castrol. Always heard nothing but good things about them and have used both brands personally with no problems.
As said before, stay away from Fram. They used to be good filters years ago but now they suck! Motorcrafts are OK, (I believe they made by a company called Champ Filters.) Personally, I feel Purolator and Wix are better, and they are more easily found. Pep Boys and Discount/Advance Auto carry Purolator, Bennett and NAPA carry Wix. (NAPA filters are made by Wix.)
BLADDER92FOX, you should have no problems with 10w40, especially in the South Florida heat. If anything you'll get better pressure and flow in an older, high milage vehicle. However, if you decide to continue with 10w30, you should not have any problems either. Just remember, the most important thing is to change the oil regularly! Every three months OR three miles, whichever comes first. The number one reason people have problems with their vehicles is failing to perform preventative maintence.
As for brand, I'd go with Valvoline or Castrol. Always heard nothing but good things about them and have used both brands personally with no problems.
As said before, stay away from Fram. They used to be good filters years ago but now they suck! Motorcrafts are OK, (I believe they made by a company called Champ Filters.) Personally, I feel Purolator and Wix are better, and they are more easily found. Pep Boys and Discount/Advance Auto carry Purolator, Bennett and NAPA carry Wix. (NAPA filters are made by Wix.)
BLADDER92FOX, you should have no problems with 10w40, especially in the South Florida heat. If anything you'll get better pressure and flow in an older, high milage vehicle. However, if you decide to continue with 10w30, you should not have any problems either. Just remember, the most important thing is to change the oil regularly! Every three months OR three miles, whichever comes first. The number one reason people have problems with their vehicles is failing to perform preventative maintence.