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Is Synthetic Oil worth it?

S

SickBeast

Lifer
I drive a 2006 Honda Civic EX.

Should I be requesting synthetic for my oil changes? Is there a particular type that is the best? I live in Toronto, Canada, so I need something that would work well during cold starts.

Thanks. 🙂
 
Personally that is all I use in my cars and have been quite satisfied with it. But it is more costly. One benefit is it goes longer between oil changes and in hot weather protects better. In winter, it will start to flow much faster than regular oil, which if you are in a very cold area, might be a good thing.
 
Originally posted by: Blackjack200
Originally posted by: SickBeast
One more question: If you switch to synthetic, can you switch back to regular oil?
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No way. It's kind of like going black.
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While I know you're joking, I just want to re-iterate that yes, you can switch from regular to synthetic and back to regular as often as you like with no trouble. It's just not an issue anymore.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
You can switch back and forth and mix them together all you want.
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As long as they are compatible.

The main benefit of synthetic is extended drain intervals but many people overlook the fact that your FILTER may not last as long as your oil can. You still need to swap filters and get your oil tested to determine your optimal change interval.

Don't fall into the marketing of 10-15000 mile change intervals without testing the oil first.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I'm going to talk to Honda about getting some Synthetic next time I change my oil.

Do you guys have a brand preference?

The Civic has some sort of sensor for the oil quality and gives me a percentage readout on the dash. I typically get around 7-8000kms on an oil change now (5000 miles or so).
 
I really doubt Honda (or anyone else) has an actual sensor(s) onboard the vehicle for testing the actual oil. Most likely what they have is the computer keep track of ignitions, idle times, maybe temps (outside and engine), rev's, time spent at rev's, etc. At then derive when you should change based on that.

As previously mentioned, the only way to really know is to get your used oil tested and have them give you a TBN number. Then, based on that, and assuming your driving habits don't change much, you can determine how long you can push your oil.

Your Honda probably spec's a xW-20 oil. If it does, there are no synthetics, save for Amsoil 0W-20. or (possibly) Mobil-1 Extended Performance 5W-20, that will get you out to 15k mi./1 yr. safely.

For either of those, you're going to need to a.) use a filter rated for that distance (think the Amsoil Ea line of filters...they're Donaldson's, top notch), or b.) use a decent filter (like a Wix/NAPA Gold) and change the filter & top off the oil at your current recommended change interval...b.) being the safer alternative.

You need to pick one of those two oils, and run it out and take a TBN test before you start getting into some truly long mileage's/time intervals. Once you go past the oils ability to neutralize the acid buildup in the oil, you'll start eating up the soft metals (think bearings...bad...) in your engine.

Oh...and it goes w/o saying that if you can't prove you changed the oil on the manufacturers guidelines, and you have an engine failure related to the oil system.....No warranty for you!

Chuck
 
I don't think I would want to push it and go a year between oil changes.

I'll go synthetic if it's $10 or less difference at my next oil change.

Thanks for the info everyone! :beer:
 
Extreme temp changes or extreme pressure are the only reasons I would run it.

It does not extend changes in most driving situations, it still breaks down and leaves acids in the motor like conventional oil, it also still gets moisture in it that doesn't burn out.
 
I use Royal Purple synthetic oil in my vehicles. Filter change every 5k, oil change every 10k. Been working great for years. My most recent vehicles came with synthetic oil from the factory.

Some folks like to run dino oil and do the 3k oil/filter changes because that is what they grew up with, no harm in that.

Go with what works for you.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
I don't think I would want to push it and go a year between oil changes.

I'll go synthetic if it's $10 or less difference at my next oil change.
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Not a chance it'll be a $10 difference. Changing oil yourself the price is something like $1.50/qt vs $4/qt for regular vs synthetic. Most shops I've seen add a premium on top of the additional price tag, so you're probably going to be looking at $40+ additional for synthetic change.

It's usually pretty ridiculous unless the shop cuts you a break or you're changing it yourself.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I'm going to talk to Honda about getting some Synthetic next time I change my oil.

Do you guys have a brand preference?

The Civic has some sort of sensor for the oil quality and gives me a percentage readout on the dash. I typically get around 7-8000kms on an oil change now (5000 miles or so).
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If you're having the dealership change your oil, I doubt you'll have an option on what kind of synthetic you can use. Also, they'll charge you an arm and a leg for synthetic. That's why I change my own oil.
 
I change my own oil because auto repair shops (dealers too) are often times very shady. You go in for an oil change but you might be back for a power steering pump or a steering rack if someone "accidentally" drops a few pebbles in your power steering fluid reservoir while no one is looking.

The only time my car goes into a shop is when something needs done that I can?t do. I cringe the entire time they have it.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
No not really. It won't hurt anything though. Most people don't keep cars long enough to worry about it.
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Is it true that you gain 10hp from it though?
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Only if you drastically change the thickness.
 
Originally posted by: mooseracing
Extreme temp changes or extreme pressure are the only reasons I would run it.

It does not extend changes in most driving situations, it still breaks down and leaves acids in the motor like conventional oil, it also still gets moisture in it that doesn't burn out.
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I disagree. In my testing, Synthetic lasted considerably longer than conventional. Viscosity breakdown due to shear and dilution were noticeably worse with conventional.
 
I use basic name brand oil in my vehicles since new. I change about every 3k mile, sometimes more. Quite frankly, unless you are looking for a longer interval between changes, you don't need synthetic. Synthetic does not lubricate "better". It is designed within the same industry spec and standard as the standard oil it replaces. It just has the capability to last longer. Lastly, Synthetic oils in older cars is not always the best idea as the older style gaskets are not designed to deal with the different chemical composition of the synthetic oils.
 
My 09 Honda Fit uses Honda 5000 semi synthetic oil, it works well in Maine's cold winters. I've been using synthetic in my 02 Malibu for 4 years now with no issues.

BTW I'm not an auto mechanic- I just follow my Honda's manual instructions and decided to test synthetic on the malibu, so far so good.
 
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