Any of you guys use SYNTHETIC motor oil in your vehicle?

Fishhead · 07-20-09, 09:20 PM

I think if one plans on keeping their car/truck for at least 150,000 miles, this is well worth the extra cost every oil change.

UntilTheNDofTimE · 07-20-09, 09:21 PM

more time between oil changes, car seems to feel like it goes through the gears smoother

pimike · 07-20-09, 09:21 PM

I do cause I have company vehicles and it is over 3,000 miles ever time a oil change gets done.

It is great for the engine for those of us who don't change it on time.

pavyracer · 07-20-09, 09:32 PM

I change oil once a year or 10,000 miles with Mobil 1 fullly synthetic oil. Why? Because I only need to do it once a year.

betplom · 07-20-09, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by Fishhead

I think if one plans on keeping their car/truck for at least 150,000 miles, this is well worth the extra cost every oil change.

I plan on putting well over 320000 KM's (200000 Miles) on my V6 2004 Toyota Camry.

Dealership recommends regular oil changes every 5000 miles and I always change the oil when its time, never used synthetic oil, only because of the cost.

ijustwant2bpaid · 07-20-09, 09:40 PM

ive used it and not used it, seems the same to me but synthetic is supposed to offer more protection..

UntilTheNDofTimE · 07-20-09, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by betplom

I plan on putting well over 320000 KM's (200000 Miles) on my V6 2004 Toyota Camry.

Dealership recommends regular oil changes every 5000 miles and I always change the oil when its time, never used synthetic oil, only because of the cost.

yea camrys go forever i have a 2002 with 110,000 miles on it, and ive done nothing to it besides change the breaks once, great cars, ill put 250k on mine

jjgold · 07-21-09, 05:19 AM

Diesel fuel is the best way to mainly because those engines are very easy to fix by any gas station.

BrentCrude · 07-21-09, 11:23 AM

I live an hour away from Superior,Wisconsin where Amsoil is located.I drive by the place all the time and it reminds me of the devils workshop or some mad scientists lab.No one ever knows what goes on there and trucks and trains just load and unload stuff.I'm not saying it's not a good product though but here is my problem with it.They have to get rid of the dealer system they set up where it's like AMWAY.That might have worked in days gone by but people don't want the hassle and expense of buying through a dealer located in someone's house.They have to start selling at Wal Mart and lower the price.It might catch on if they got that exposure.No one wants infomercial Billy Maes oil in their 40-50 k high end vehicle.Then comes the part where maybe your factory warranty goes null and void if you use synthetic?Women and guys not into car maintenance should be synthetic's biggest customer base because you can go a long time between oil changes.You don't know how many women burn out engines running on low and dirty oil.I used to bike ride alot on the shoulders on local roads and I used to fix women's flat tires all the time and have come across women driving cars with hardly any oil.Women beat cars like rented mules and alot of them now prefer Toyota's because they take a womens beating more.hehe!

Doug · 07-01-10, 05:12 PM

How advisable would synthetic oil be for an older vehicle , specifically a 2000 Ford F-150 with about 115,000 miles. The thing is I only drive it about 8-10,000 miles a year, so if I put in synthetic oil, it might have to stay in for like 3 years.

I'd rather get new oil at least annually, so I think conventional oil might be better for a low usage truck ?

any thoughts ?

flyingillini · 07-01-10, 05:17 PM

I get mine changed at every 10k. Mercedes Benz owner.

THE PROFIT · 07-01-10, 05:18 PM

I worked in the auto parts industry a long time. If you start using synthetic you must keep using it. These people that think it helps to use synthetic every 3rd oil change or so are fuking up.

It is better, but not really worth the cost in my professional opinion.

Ans Amsoil has caught on, thats why its a mad scientist lab. If they marketed the way you want them to, that shit would cost twice as much!

dodger33 · 07-01-10, 05:23 PM

Honestly if you value your time its a no brainer to go synthetic. Its good for 10,000+ miles. Thats 3 regular oil changes at 30 minutes a piece. How much is an hour of your time worth?

THE PROFIT · 07-01-10, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by dodger33

Honestly if you value your time its a no brainer to go synthetic. Its good for 10,000+ miles. Thats 3 regular oil changes at 30 minutes a piece. How much is an hour of your time worth?

don't believe everything you see on TV

Fishhead · 07-01-10, 05:28 PM

Doug, I'm guessing at 114,000 miles it's a tad to late to significantly help things.........not sure though.

Funny you bumped this thread, my truck just hit 60,000 and I'm due for an oil change in 2,400 miles............have to make up my mind what to do.

Would you like to buy my Honda Doug, I need some cash for the bash?

pavyracer · 07-01-10, 05:42 PM

Always synthetic for me. Only have to do it once a year. When you factor in that if you change the oil with regular oil every three months you need to buy 4 oil filters instead of 1 oil filter a year it's cheaper.

stikymess · 07-01-10, 05:54 PM

Fish,
You may want to check with a mechanic you trust, as I understand it synthetic oil has smaller molecules thus when added to an older engine that has used regular oil it will slip through the rings causing damage.
Cars that start on synthetic should stay on syntetic, but again check with a mechanic you trust and not one trying to sell you something.

Doug · 07-01-10, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by Fishhead

Doug, I'm guessing at 114,000 miles it's a tad to late to significantly help things.........not sure though.

Funny you bumped this thread, my truck just hit 60,000 and I'm due for an oil change in 2,400 miles............have to make up my mind what to do.

Would you like to buy my Honda Doug, I need some cash for the bash?

Nah, I don't need another truck, barely use the F-150, but nice to know it is there when needed.

No way would I go 1,000 miles to buy a car unless it was special....like a Mint 68 GTO or something rare, not a modern Honda. Hondas are the best cheap cars, though. I'm very happy with my CR-V.

I think I'll stay with regular oil though for the truck. The Honda car only wants an oil change about every 8k miles.

maersksealand · 07-01-10, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by Fishhead

If so, speak some on your reasoning for doing so.

Thanks,
FH

ps--thinking of switching over to synthetic at 60,000 miles.

Don't do it...it makes no difference. I wasted money on synthetic oil for a while. the difference is made by the engine...you are pretty much pucked if you own a german or american car...since 60k is about where they start falling apart

Doug · 07-01-10, 07:44 PM

A car isn't even broken in until it has 100,000 miles.

str · 07-01-10, 07:51 PM

Fish,
It is probably worth it at 60-75K miles to switch BUT ONCE YOU SWITCH YOU CAN NOT GO BACK.

tyrephd · 07-01-10, 08:13 PM

I only use synthetic (mobil 1) have been in the auto repair business 25+ years...cleans better doesnt break down, increases fuel mileage, longer between drain intervals. for those of you only changing once a year the heating and cooling from driving causes condensation....that is why manufacures recomend miles and months between intervals. money well spent IMO....good luck!

Doug · 07-01-10, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by str

Fish,
It is probably worth it at 60-75K miles to switch BUT ONCE YOU SWITCH YOU CAN NOT GO BACK.

why ?

Doug · 07-01-10, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by tyrephd

I only use synthetic (mobil 1) have been in the auto repair business 25+ years...cleans better doesnt break down, increases fuel mileage, longer between drain intervals. for those of you only changing once a year the heating and cooling from driving causes condensation....that is why manufacures recomend miles and months between intervals. money well spent IMO....good luck!

So if you don't drive a car much, then should you just go with regular oil since you don't get the long mileage value of synthetic oil ?

I have the opposite condition with the Honda....extremr mileage of like 35k a year. A bit over 100k now. Should I change that to synthetic ?

If so what weight/ brand and filter ?

It has always had the oil changed by the honda dealer....the only thing I let them do. There was some deal like 12 pre-paid oil changes for $150 when I bought the car, went with it.

Extra Innings · 07-01-10, 09:57 PM

More leniency between time of oil changes.
More forgiving if you drive your engine hard.
A must for high performance vehicles.

TodaysAction · 07-02-10, 12:15 AM

Change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles as indicated in the manual.
Older vehicles should stay with what they're using.
New ones go with the synthetic as the engines aren't like they were years ago.