What about the oil?

[quicksilverdon]

[quote]quote:Originally posted by Gary04GT

...Your money, your choice!

Is synthetic better? YES. Does it cost more? YES. For normal driving, do you "need" synthetic? NO. I agree with all of LAF's comments, except longer changes. The oil doesn't break down like dino, but it does pick up acids & such from combustion.

I have used synthetic since Mobil1 first came out. I had a car I ran new on synthetic that "sucked in" a valve guide at 155,000 miles. My mechanic had the head on a bench, and inside was bright and shiny. I asked him what he'd used to clean it up - he said that's how it looked when he took off the valve cover! Zero sludge. I actually thought he was teasing me, it was so clean. That car went 195,000 miles with no other engine work (auto trans went). Proof enough for me.

I change oil & filter (K&N) every 5,000 miles. I think 3,000 is too soon (I do mostly highway) and 7,500 too far (acid buildup) - besides, I just look at odometer to know if I need to change oil - no calculations needed!

One place I recommend everyone use synthetic - your lawn mowers and snowblowers. Try it in a lawn mower - you can tell the difference. And how often do you change the oil in those engines?

The one part I don't buy is blown engines due to synthetic oil. Only if they used some no-name brand, or never changed it, or used 20W50 in a new engine - even then, I find it hard to buy.

[p.schuh]

Hi!

Here in Germany, Chrysler recommends

Synthetik- Motorenöl SAE 5W/40
API: SJ/CF +EC, ACEA:A3, B3, B4, (CCMC: G5/PD2), erfüllt MB 229.1 und 229.3, VW-Norm 502.00 und 505.00, Porsche GL, BMW, u.a.

B4 is good for long service intervals (PT Cuiser Turbo-Diesel 20.000 km/12.500 miles).

I also take this oil on my BMW 525 (1991) and on my Miata (1990). They are running like new.

Peter [?][?][?]

[Kirby]

Porsche sends its autos with Mobil 1 from the factory.

[IRPT]

[quote]quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

[quote]Originally posted by Gary04GT

...One place I recommend everyone use synthetic - your lawn mowers and snowblowers. Try it in a lawn mower - you can tell the difference. And how often do you change the oil in those engines?

Great idea, thanks![^][?]

[p.schuh]

quote:Originally posted by PianT

I went to my regular mechanic today (25years exp) for an oil change, told him I was running synth, he insisted I don't need to wast my money on the synth

Hi!

I change oil & filter twice a year, using synthetic – usually before and after winter. Today, my PT gets its second change on its birthday – I bought it on 12-05-2003. It runs great. The tachometer shows 12.000 km / 7.500 miles.

Peter

[IRPT]

Happy Birthday to Peters Toy!!

[Gary04GT]

quote:...I change oil & filter (K&N) every 5,000 miles. I think 3,000 is too soon (I do mostly highway) and 7,500 too far (acid buildup) - besides, I just look at odometer to know if I need to change oil - no calculations needed!...

What is the recommended sythetic oil change interval (Mobil 1) in [u]months</u>? 5000 miles=5 months??? [:I] It may take me 6 to 8 months to get 5000 miles on my car as it is not used as a daily driver. Thanks.

[PianT]

Thanks for the replies. I know my mechanic tends to BS on a lot of things, you know the type, the story gets better every time its told.

I do believe synth to be a better oil, its proven fact. My main concern is switching from synth to dino or back again. Should the motor be flushed first? Is there cause for concern in the small amount of synth that would be mixed with the dino when switching.

Other than that I guess it does come down to $'s - synth is about 4x the cost, I just hate to be throwing away money - money better used for a mod or something.

[crazyjoe]

quote:Originally posted by Gary04GT
What is the recommended sythetic oil change interval (Mobil 1) in [u]months</u>? 5000 miles=5 months??? [:I] It may take me 6 to 8 months to get 5000 miles on my car as it is not used as a daily driver. Thanks.

Mileage, months, they are generic guidelines for helping you decide when to change your oil. If you do mostly city driving, you will want to change it sooner, like 2500 to 3000 miles. If you do a ton of highway driving, you can stretch it longer, to 7500 miles. If you drive a new york city taxi cab, change it every week.

General rule of thumb is when the seasons change, so should your oil. If you're only changing your oil 4 times a year you can afford to put the good stuff in there. If you can't afford to change your oil 4 times a year, why even bother with the second car?

[quicksilverdon]

From what I've read, no flush neccessary. I've also had used cars that I switched to synthetic with no problems. Synthetic oil is "Dino" oil, only with more additives.