Any way to tell if synthetic oil was used?

[LuckyTaxi]

I've been taking my car to the dealer to have my oil change. Just convenient for me since I get a loaner. Now that I think about it, I wonder if they actually use synthetic when I asked them to. I mean, they are charging me extra for it but you never know.

Anyways, i worried for a bit because I was reading articles about how one shouldn't go from synthetic to conventional. I would be pissed to learn that my engine is slowly failing due to them not using the correct motor oil. Am I just paranoid?

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Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[mb]

What car?

 

[LTC8K6]

Anyways, i worried for a bit because I was reading articles about how one shouldn't go from synthetic to conventional. I would be pissed to learn that my engine is slowly failing due to them not using the correct motor oil. Am I just paranoid?

About this part, yes. You are paranoid. Also, the word was not to go from conventional to synthetic, but even that was 99% hype...

 

[Gibson486]

it does not matter if you car requires regular oil.

 

[StageLeft]

You could send a sample to get tested but why bother. I've heard about this switching issue but it's not one you actually need to worry about, IMo.

 

[ElFenix]

other than watching them break the seal on a bottle, no, i suppose not.

i really wonder if they lubricate the locks and hinges when they do the 20,000 mile service. an oil change is $20, add tire rotation and lock/hinge lube for $60. oh and 'visual inspection of coolant level.' i bet they charge $20 to top off the coolant.

 

[Saga]

other than watching them break the seal on a bottle, no, i suppose not.

i really wonder if they lubricate the locks and hinges when they do the 20,000 mile service. an oil change is $20, add tire rotation and lock/hinge lube for $60. oh and 'visual inspection of coolant level.' i bet they charge $20 to top off the coolant.

I've never used the key once in the two years of owning my truck. I wonder if that will someday come back to bite me in the ass. =P

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't really have a key to use. Have to use the button on the fob. There is a key inside the fob, but it's not something you would ever use to unlock the door except in an emergency.

 

[sdifox]

I don't really have a key to use. Have to use the button on the fob. There is a key inside the fob, but it's not something you would ever use to unlock the door except in an emergency.

Does your car alarm goes off when you open the door with the key?

 

[amdhunter]

They are mixing the synthetic and regular oils just to mess with you.

 

[NutBucket]

other than watching them break the seal on a bottle, no, i suppose not.

i really wonder if they lubricate the locks and hinges when they do the 20,000 mile service. an oil change is $20, add tire rotation and lock/hinge lube for $60. oh and 'visual inspection of coolant level.' i bet they charge $20 to top off the coolant.

But most decent sized shops buy the stuff in large drums. Mystery drum #1 vs. mystery drum #2

 

[LTC8K6]

Does your car alarm goes off when you open the door with the key?

Yep.

 

[lurk3r]

Taste it, synthetic tastes like butter.

 

[earthman]

There are alot of myths about oil. Here is the truth from someone who has been driving for over 30 years in a hundred cars, and has always changed their own oil. (I drive about 70,000 miles a year, and have never had an oil-related failure) Ready? IT DOESN'T MATTER. Use synthetic or regular, or mix them any way you want. JUST MAKE SURE TO CHANGE IT OFTEN. Don't let it get black. Don't let it run low. And always change the filter. Do this and you will not have any oil-related problems.

 

[sdifox]

Yep.

so if the rf reader is dead in the car, how do you disable the alarm when you get into the car? :biggrin:

 

[rh71]

There are alot of myths about oil. Here is the truth from someone who has been driving for over 30 years in a hundred cars, and has always changed their own oil. (I drive about 70,000 miles a year, and have never had an oil-related failure) Ready? IT DOESN'T MATTER. Use synthetic or regular, or mix them any way you want. JUST MAKE SURE TO CHANGE IT OFTEN. Don't let it get black. Don't let it run low. And always change the filter. Do this and you will not have any oil-related problems.

what if you drive like 5k a year and only for short distances... and only get it changed once a year as per schedule? Is that when synthetic would be better?

 

[thescreensavers]

Synthetic > Dino Oil, thats the truth Look at oil analysis, the synth oils 99% of the time have better engine wear then, conventional oil. Maybe its overkill, but the less my engine wears the better. Imo

You can switch between then with no problem.

 

[LTC8K6]

so if the rf reader is dead in the car, how do you disable the alarm when you get into the car?

You can't afaik. You can unplug the horn, but the engine will still be disabled. You will need a tow to the dealer, I suppose.

The only way to disable the alarm is with a working remote afaik.

 

[earthman]

what if you drive like 5k a year and only for short distances... and only get it changed once a year as per schedule? Is that when synthetic would be better?

Probably not. Synthetic oils which have superior lubricating properties only have an advantage when the engine is being pushed past limits where they come in to play. Otherwise, there is not a lot of difference if you are changing it regularly. If you are driving your car on short trips you should still change it every couple months regardless of the mileage. I would not wait a year.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

what if you drive like 5k a year and only for short distances... and only get it changed once a year as per schedule? Is that when synthetic would be better?

Still better to change it at least twice a year. Personally, I change my oil twice a year (unless I happen to be driving a lot more) and take the opportunity to switch between 0W20 and 5W20.

 

[AMCRambler]

Actually I think synthetic has a different smell to it. I usually get it on my hands changing the oil and it definitely has a sweeter smell than regular oil. I could probably tell the difference between the two by the smell not that it would be very scientifically accurate. If you never smelled it though, that's not going to help.

 

[Eli]

I'm pretty sure I would be able to tell synthetic vs. regular oil in a blind test fairly accurately, just based on cold viscosity. You wouldn't be able to tell any differences in smell after being run in an engine, I don't think.

 

[Eli]

what if you drive like 5k a year and only for short distances... and only get it changed once a year as per schedule? Is that when synthetic would be better?

Dear lord, I'm going to find you and beat you with a bent connecting rod.



If you're actually doing this, your engine hates you. Short distance driving is extremely hard on your oil. It can take up to 20 minutes for your oil to reach full operating temperature. This is important because it helps burn off contaminants(fuel, water), which severely shorten the useful life of your oil.

There is a reason that a time and a mileage is given with oil change specifications. But to answer your question, a high quality synthetic oil would be much more tolerant to such abuse, though I wouldn't leave it in the crankcase for a year, especially not if only being driven 5k/year.

Most people are under the assumption that a quick 5 minute trip to work or to the store would fall under the "Light Duty" oil change specification, but that couldn't be more from the truth. That is most certainly severe duty service. Most driving is severe service, actually.

 

[TruePaige]

Taste it, synthetic tastes like butter.

Shouldn't it taste like margarine?

:awe:

 

[RU482]

who's to say they aren't putting dino oil in Synthetic Oil bottles?

/think about that for a minute