Anybody running synthetic oil in their car?

[Ns1]

Is it worth the added cost? I mean right now conventional oil would cost ~20 bucks + labor to do

Synthetic would be ~40 + labor

Is it worth it for a daily driver? I like to push my car hard sometimes, but I don't race it (or very very very very rarely....)



It's a 97 prelude btw

 

[dirtboy]

I don't know if it is worth the added cost or not. I have Mobil 1 in my car right now. I've never run synthetic in it before, but I can say it does run a little smoother with it in there.

I put it in there before I drove from Indiana to California to eliminate any potential problems caused by oil breakdown from driving 12+ hour days through the desert regions of our great nation.

I know you can go longer between oil changes with it. I don't know if I will put it in again or not, since I don't do a ton of driving. I may go with a regular/synethetic blend. Who knows?

 

[John]

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Motor Oil

The synthetics offer the only truly significant differences, due to their superior high temperature oxidation resistance, high film strength, very low tendency to form deposits, stable viscosity base, and low temperature flow characteristics. Synthetics are superior lubricants compared to traditional petroleum oils. You will have to decide if their high cost is justified in your application.

The extended oil drain intervals given by the vehicle manufacturers (typically 7500 miles) and synthetic oil companies (up to 25,000 miles) are for what is called normal service. Normal service is defined as the engine at normal operating temperature, at highway speeds, and in a dust free environment. Stop and go, city driving, trips of less than 10 miles, or extreme heat or cold puts the oil change interval into the severe service category, which is 3000 miles for most vehicles. Synthetics can be run two to three times the mileage of petroleum oils with no problems. They do not react to combustion and combustion by-products to the extent that the dead dinosaur juice does. The longer drain intervals possible help take the bite out of the higher cost of the synthetics. If your car or bike is still under warranty you will have to stick to the recommended drain intervals. These are set for petroleum oils and the manufacturers make no official allowance for the use of synthetics.

 

[John]

<< Synthetic would be ~40 + labor >>



WTH? You are getting ripped. (5) qt. of Mobil 1 & a fliter is roughly 25.00.

 

[notfred]

I run synthetic in my car, but my car puts 275hp to the ground. I'm really not sure it's even worth it in my car, since I chang it every 3,000 miles anyway. $40 to change my own oil is expensive....

 

[RGN]

10,000 miles ago at 89,000 miles I started using a synthetic oil. I changed the first at 3K and the second at 4K. The oil was dirty, but not broken down feeling... It still flet fresh on my hands - like it could have still done its job.

Never going back to "dead dinosaur juice"

 

[RGN]

$40? It cost me $24 for a case of 6 quarts. The filter is like $5-$7 You should be spending like $25 an oil change...

 

[Babbles]

Over at the Grand Prix forum I hang out on, it seems like almost everybody uses Mobil 1 in their vehicle. Heck, seems like more do than those that don't.

I haven't done it yet myself, but this week when I am up for my oil change I am.

 

[freebee]

Protection-wise, as long as the oil is changed regularly and you don't have any temperature extremes, its basically the same.

However, the psychological benefit of running a synthetic seems to be ignored in many of these discussions. (as is the case with many modifications/additives). There certainly should be a value placed on peace of mind or just "feeling" the car runs smoother. I've always used Mobil 1, the cost is minimal over the life of the car.

 

[Emos]

What kind of car do you have and how old is it? I use Mobil 1 in my car and I feel it's worth it...it's recommended for turbocharged engines.

 

[Ns1]

<< WTH? You are getting ripped. (5) qt. of Mobil 1 & a fliter is roughly 25.00. >>



quart of mobil 1 is roughly 4-5 bucks each, 6 quarts = 24-30$
mobil 1 oil filter is 11.99

total is 36-42

 

[amdskip]

amsoil is great stuff!

 

[notfred]

Always costs me about $37 for supplies for 1 oil change w/ mobil 1. Maybe oil is cheaper in IL.

 

[TerryMathews]

Synthetics do offer one advantage for new cars that get glossed over all the time.

Standard dino juice creates deposits, usually around where the seals are. Causes them to dry out, as the deposit acts as a barrier to the seal, effectively limiting the area in which the oil can move around, keeping it away from the seal. Eventually, if that deposit breaks loose, your (dry) seal will crack and start leaking, which is how most cars start consuming oil.

Synthetics don't usually cause depsoits and therefore statistically increase the life of your seals.

 

[Ns1]

oh yeah, any cheap places to buy oil online? or should i just stick to the b&m's?

 

[thedarkwolf]

I am running it my mini van but then it is a turbo . I am only running full synthetic in it once just to clean it out a little since I just bought it. After I change it again it will be 2 quarts synthetic 3 quarts regular. I just don't think its worth it unless your running forced induction or have some ultra high performance exotic.

 

[hudster]

I bought a new Geo Metro in 1995, and have only ever used Castrol Syntec in it. The car has over 150,000 miles on it, no problems so far. I try to change the oil every 10,000 or so (that's why I use Syntec...I don't feel as guilty letting my car go 10k miles between oil changes when I know I'm giving it the "good stuff" )

-hudster

 

[goodoptics]

I change oil and filter myself every 2500 miles for around $8.00. Use conventional 5W30.

 

[bozo1]

I use the blend - part organic, part synthetic. Not as expensive but I get part of the synthetic advantage.

 

[Lucky]

<< $40? It cost me $24 for a case of 6 quarts. The filter is like $5-$7 You should be spending like $25 an oil change... >>




Ya know, if he doesnt do it himself, most places like to make a profit. Not everyone has the time nor the knowledge to change their own oil.

 

[Passions]

Dude, I bought this stuff called like ProMax or whatever off an infomerical and I never had an oil change for like 30,000 miles since!!!! It's amazing, just like the commerical said. I highly recommend it.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

For some odd reason I decided this last oil change to have them put fully synthetic oil in. Man, it does make a difference. I swear I have more horsepower. Especially up long hills like the Grapevine in Los Angeles.

 

[kamiam]

<< I bought a new Geo Metro in 1995, and have only ever used Castrol Syntec in it. The car has over 150,000 miles on it, no problems so far. I try to change the oil every 10,000 or so (that's why I use Syntec...I don't feel as guilty letting my car go 10k miles between oil changes when I know I'm giving it the "good stuff" )

-hudster >>

yawn...I have a "95 Geo...250,600 mi...regular oil...still runs...40 mpg