Any way to tell if synthetic oil was used?

[Viperoni]

Only way: run an oil analysis on it.

 

[AMCRambler]

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.

I'm willing to bet I could. I definitely notice a difference in odor after I've gotten some on my hands and then wiped it off. The ol' smell mah finger test. You could probably tell just by sniffing them in the bottles. I'm changing the oil in the Mrs. car this week and I think hers takes regular. I'll try it and see if I can tell.

 

[Howard]

An angelic choir sings when you open the drain bolt.

 

[duragezic]

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.

Can't pull the cable off the battery to remove power?

Maybe not in these fancy new cars anyway!

On my 1993 Mazda 626, the alarm screwed up for good one day, and went off every time the key was used to unlock the door (this is supposed to disable the alarm, not enable it). So every since then, if it went off, I would quickly pop the hood, pull the cable off the negative terminal, put it back on and off I go.

 

[OS]

Only way: run an oil analysis on it.

i don't think any of those common oil analysis can tell you what kind of oil was last used let alone the life of the car.

the UOAs i used i had to tell them what oil i put in..

 

[Vette73]

Its easy to tell if they used Syn. Syn oil is orignally from the cinnamon tree and smells like cinnamon during the first 100 miles or so.
Here is a wiki page of facts...

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Oil#Common_Facts

 

[Eli]

i don't think any of those common oil analysis can tell you what kind of oil was last used let alone the life of the car.

the UOAs i used i had to tell them what oil i put in..

Yeah, a UOA won't tell you anything about whether the oil is synthetic or not. I am sure there are tests that could tell you the composition of an oil, but it's beyond the scope of the traditional oil analysis.

 

[papy40]

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?[/QUOTE

I know a fast lube shop in Texas who's owner refills Mobil 1 bottles and instructs the employees to sell it as Mobil 1

 

[papy40]

there is this shop in south texas that the owner refills the empty Mobil 1 and sells it to her customer as Mobil 1. To add insult to injury. When the customer brings in their own Synthetic oil the staff switches it out for conventional oil. Yes that kind of BS does happen.
I'm trying to get her busted. does anyone have any suggestions?

Yes. I suggest you not bump threads that are over three years old with spam-ish posts.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[nerp]

Sure, document everything you can and find the best area reporter/news outlet with proof. Get them on the story.