Is it a good idea to switch to sythetic motor oil, after using regular oil? I heard both ends. to stick to regular if thats what youve been using. i also heard synthetic will improve the life of an engine with high miles. I have 89K on a 93 GS, and wondering if I should switch. while starting my car the other day, it started really weird. it idled really rough, and something internal was clanging around, it smoothed out after about10 seconds. it scared the sh*t out of me! it hasent done it since. I drive the car at least 2-3 times per week. any ideas on that one?

any ideas or comments

Mike

 

I have heard from experts that synthetics will never harm your car and you can't start using them from mile 1 to 100,000 with no problem. I use them, because unlike crude oil synthetic can be "modded" to suit specific purposes. The one I use is for high mileage cars and is supposed to be thicker and recondition seals, to prevent leaks. It's really all your decision.

 

So your saying you "can" start using them at ANY time? If so, what do you use? brand, weight etc...?

I read some "synthetics" are not true PAO (Polyalphaolefin) syntheitcs (ie: Castrol Syntec, Penzoil, etc...) they are hydroisomerized petroleum oil or an ester based synthetic blend. this was of the Amsoil website.
It also says to use a flushing system before switching to synthetic.


Mike

 

I use the Pennzoil High Mileage 10W-40. Here's the specifics:

HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
PENNZOIL® HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™ motor oil is formulated to meet the needs of high mileage vehicles. Vehicles that have accumulated over 75,000 miles may see an increase in oil consumption or increase in leaks.
PENNZOIL® HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™ motor oil is a low volatility oil that helps decrease oil consumption. PENNZOIL® HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™ motor oil is blended to the higher end of the viscosity range, and incorporates a special seal-conditioning agent that helps reduce leaks.
APPLICATION
PENNZOIL® HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™ motor oil is recommended for all gasoline engines used in passenger cars and light trucks. PENNZOIL® HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™ motor oil exceeds the current API Service SL and may be used in old or new vehicles. PENNZOIL® HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE™ motor oil is available in SAE 5W-30, SAE 10W-30 and SAE 10W-40 viscosity grades.
BENEFITS
• Helps reduce oil consumption
• Special seal-conditioning additive helps reduce leaks
• Low volatility
• Helps improve engine performance
• Exceeds API Service SL
TYPICAL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
TEST METHOD TYPICAL RESULTS
Viscosity Grade 5W-30 10W-30 10W-40 Gravity, °API ASTM D-287 30.5 30.6 30.6 Specific Gravity @ 60°F(15.6°C) ASTM D-287
.86 .86 .87 Viscosity
@ 40°C, cSt ASTM D-445 71.35 83.3 109.4 @ 100°C, cSt ASTM D-445 12.00 12.00 15.50 Pour Point, °C(°F) ASTM D-97 -33(-27) -30(-22) -30(-22) Viscosity Index ASTM D-2270 165 137 149 Low Temperature Viscosity cP at Temperature (°C), Max ASTM D-2602
<7000 @ -30 <7000 @ -25 <7000 @ -25 High Temperature/High Shear Vis, cP ASTM D-4683
3.30 3.40 3.93 NOACK Volatility, % off <=13 <=13 <=13 Material Number 6/1 quart 161452 160544 160555
December, 2002 Stock # 5037166

 

My mechanic puts in this German Brand synthetic oil that Ferrari's use. hehehe

Bryan

 

every 3000 miles so I don't even bother with synthetics.

-Seize

 

Seize

every 6000 miles is more like it...... and with half synthetic.

that's what I do

yezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

i use mobil 1 10w40 fully synthetic every 3000 miles.........oooopss...which reminds me,
i gotta change oil!!!

 

You can use synthetics anytime you want. In fact, due to the new methods of production you can even mix synthetic and regular oils... just don't ever mix weights. My vote's for the regular. If you change your oil as often as you should, then you're just wasting money by using synthetics. In fact, higher mileage cars eat synthetics much quicker than regular oils. My personal preference is Valvoline and a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Now that stuff is awesome.

 

I have used synthetic all my life. In every single car i've own except my rotaries. And there have been enough studies to prove synthetic is better than conventional in all but very few extremes conditions (like rotaries.) If you don't already know that explaining is not worth the time. The list of users should explain it: F1, WRC, Nascar and about any piston involved sport out there.

Now let apply it to regular cars. It is recomended by RedLine (the actual head engineer,) that if your car has been on a fossil based diets for most of its life that switching to synthetic should not be a problem. It is true that if you have any imperfection in the seals that synthetic will make them stand out immediately (hence the misguided beliefs that synthetic create more oil burnup.) So you might want to ease your car into synthetic by mixing regular for the first 3 oil change. Slowly increase the synthetic dosage until she's on full synthetic.

And to address the POA concerns....your right. Up until recently, Mobil 1 was the most widely available full synthetic oil in the US. That has change since January of 2002 when they switch to a highly refine mix of fossil and POA....I call this copping out to the money man which is sad The only two brand i fully trust anymore is Redline and Amsoil. I would say go with Redline since they have awesome retail service. And you can literally put your entire car on a Redline diet. Every product they make i would trust. I have used Redline exclusively since Mobil went into the tar pit.

ANd change your oil 3000 miles....NO MATTER WHAT. I change my oil every 3k and i'm a starving college student. Hell when i change my oil i go full synthetic.....change the filter, do a mild tune up and change the plugs if i have money left over. Religous you say????? Amen

 

I either change my oil every 6 months or 4k miles. So far I have driven 3,400 miles and its about 6 months. I just checked the dipstick and its light brown..

Bryan

 

I will take a pic of that German oil my mechanic uses so you guys can see it.

Bryan

 

I've just been changing my oil at the dealer since I got the car every 3k. Plus, with my lovely main seal leak, 3k is when I need to add oil anyway.

 

so now i understood the oil debate but now my only question is which is the best synthetic oil out there

thanks
robert

 

Jmai22 swears on Mobil 1 synthetic. I will find out the name of my German Synthetic and will post..