synthetic vs conventional oil?
03-12-2006, 02:53 PM
#1
synthetic vs conventional oil?
Hey folks, i've read a bunch and i know there's a lotta debate on this. But thought i'd throw it out here...before asking my mechanic when i go in for an oil change this coming friday?
You folks have any comments on it all?
You folks have any comments on it all?
03-12-2006, 04:35 PM
#2
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 91
(GrizZz here, wife's PC)
I've run Wal-Mart brand synthetic oil in my van since day one. I change it every 8000 to 10,000 km's.
The van has 410,000 km's, doesn't burn a drop of oil, never had to do anything to the motor other than change plugs.
I've run Wal-Mart brand synthetic oil in my van since day one. I change it every 8000 to 10,000 km's.
The van has 410,000 km's, doesn't burn a drop of oil, never had to do anything to the motor other than change plugs.
03-12-2006, 05:08 PM
#3
would there be any downsides to switching on a vehicle thats 150,000km or so in???
What all is generally involved in switching? Just a flush and then the new oil? I've heard it's better for older vehicles, but yeah (there's no oil leaks that i'm aware of)
What all is generally involved in switching? Just a flush and then the new oil? I've heard it's better for older vehicles, but yeah (there's no oil leaks that i'm aware of)
03-12-2006, 05:55 PM
#4
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 17
On occasion where people switch to synthetic after considerable milage on their vehicle, minor oil leaks have been known to occur. The suspected cause was due to the viscosity changes during engine warm-up.
This has also been known to occur when users changed the brand of (conventional) oil after running the same exact brand for a long time. Same reason as above.
I use full mobil synthetic in the winter, and conventional castrol in the summer, which suits the needs of southern ontario weather, and my reasonably sedate driving style, and my desire to prolong my vehicles life.
You should ask yourself why you want to switch to synthetic?
more power, better mileage, less engine wear, cold weather, hard driving, money to burn.
Answer that, and then maybe you will be able to decide what you want, and how much more your willing to pay for it.
This has also been known to occur when users changed the brand of (conventional) oil after running the same exact brand for a long time. Same reason as above.
I use full mobil synthetic in the winter, and conventional castrol in the summer, which suits the needs of southern ontario weather, and my reasonably sedate driving style, and my desire to prolong my vehicles life.
You should ask yourself why you want to switch to synthetic?
more power, better mileage, less engine wear, cold weather, hard driving, money to burn.
Answer that, and then maybe you will be able to decide what you want, and how much more your willing to pay for it.
03-12-2006, 09:15 PM
#6
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 746
^^
You drive sub $500 vehicle though he has a real vehicle so you don't need to use the decent stuff.
I am sure it's just a flush and then the new oil goes in. I would do it. It offers better protection and helps your engine last longer. It is more expensive but your car also lasts longer and runs better so I dunno.
You drive sub $500 vehicle though he has a real vehicle so you don't need to use the decent stuff.
I am sure it's just a flush and then the new oil goes in. I would do it. It offers better protection and helps your engine last longer. It is more expensive but your car also lasts longer and runs better so I dunno.
03-12-2006, 10:02 PM
#7
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,423
you talkin about my rides?
ummm yeah the cavy is not worth 500. lol
the truck. i got it for a heck of a deal. come on 400 for a truck. thats in pretty good running condition.
and i got a free tank of propane. ahh life in alberta can't get any better. o wait yeah it can, the beer stores.
ummm yeah the cavy is not worth 500. lol
the truck. i got it for a heck of a deal. come on 400 for a truck. thats in pretty good running condition.
and i got a free tank of propane. ahh life in alberta can't get any better. o wait yeah it can, the beer stores.
03-13-2006, 02:15 AM
#8
Hey guys, just wanted to clear up a few things... As far as synthetic oil goes, you can have half regular 5w30, and half syn. 5w30, and it won't hurt your engine at all.
The other long running myth of it hurting your engine to run syn. on older engines is total bull, as is the syn. oil making engine seals leak...
This confusion stems from not knowing exactly what synthetic motor oil is, and how it is different from castrol syntec, or mobil's counterpart. Castrol Syntec, or mobile1's synthetic oil, aren't true synthetics regarless what any sales person tells you. How these oils differ from conventional oil is that the sulfer is removed from the oils, thus the buildup of sulfuric acide isn't an issue, therefore it's better for your engine, aside from being a cleaner oil.
To get true synthetic oil, as most people thing they are getting with syntec (which is petroleum based... therefore NOT synthetoc) you need to go to Royal purple, or Amsoil etc... These oils are truly 100% synthetic, where syntec, or mobile1's 'Synthetic' Oil is not...
I have been running Syntec in all of my engines since it hit the shelves and love the differences it makes, but the choice is yours... 10 bucks for a gallon of liquid gold, or 35 for a gallon of syntec ,you make the choice, just make sure you are making it for the right reasons...
regards, Mark
The other long running myth of it hurting your engine to run syn. on older engines is total bull, as is the syn. oil making engine seals leak...
This confusion stems from not knowing exactly what synthetic motor oil is, and how it is different from castrol syntec, or mobil's counterpart. Castrol Syntec, or mobile1's synthetic oil, aren't true synthetics regarless what any sales person tells you. How these oils differ from conventional oil is that the sulfer is removed from the oils, thus the buildup of sulfuric acide isn't an issue, therefore it's better for your engine, aside from being a cleaner oil.
To get true synthetic oil, as most people thing they are getting with syntec (which is petroleum based... therefore NOT synthetoc) you need to go to Royal purple, or Amsoil etc... These oils are truly 100% synthetic, where syntec, or mobile1's 'Synthetic' Oil is not...
I have been running Syntec in all of my engines since it hit the shelves and love the differences it makes, but the choice is yours... 10 bucks for a gallon of liquid gold, or 35 for a gallon of syntec ,you make the choice, just make sure you are making it for the right reasons...
regards, Mark
03-13-2006, 06:59 AM
#9
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 229
I've been using Castrol Synthetic for years. I found the difference in winter start ups amazing. There is far less chatter or clicking or whatever you want to call it when starting with synthetic oil on a cold morning.
On smaller motors, it evens runs better initially.
I used to use conventional oil in the summer and synthetic in the winter, but since getting my last new vehicle I just stick to synthetic.
I do use conventional oil for the first 10,000km's then it is straight synthetic there after.
Later,
Brad
On smaller motors, it evens runs better initially.
I used to use conventional oil in the summer and synthetic in the winter, but since getting my last new vehicle I just stick to synthetic.
I do use conventional oil for the first 10,000km's then it is straight synthetic there after.
Later,
Brad
03-13-2006, 09:33 AM
#10
4000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
I ran GTX 5w30 in all my cars ever since I started driving then for some reason I bought a synthetic and put that in my Golf, and for some reason my car leaks oil now, never leaked a single drop in the last 5 years now it does, I dunno might not have anything to do with it but nothing ever leaked until I switched over to synthetic, car hit 170,000kms not to long ago so maybe its just time it starts to leak abit 
