Home and Auto Synthetic Oil, Regular Oil, and Switching

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-03-2013, 10:33 AM

Quick question:

I found 5 quarts of synthetic Castrol on clearance for 10 bucks. There are a couple of jugs of it available. I've always used regular in my vehicle. Could I switch back to regular in the future without issues with wear and/or leakage?

Thanks.

**ptlyon** · 06-03-2013, 10:35 AM

Motor oil is motor oil

CoMoChief · 06-03-2013, 10:36 AM

yes you can switch

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-03-2013, 10:39 AM

I was almost certain of this, then heard someone say otherwise, wanted to scream bullshit, but figured I'd make absolutely sure.

Frosty · 06-03-2013, 10:45 AM

When synthetics first came out, there was an occasional problem with high mileage cars where some of the seals would fail if you switched to synthetic. That isn't a problem anymore, so stock up.

ToxSocks · 06-03-2013, 10:54 AM

I think the main issue is (and i am not sure if this is still applicable or not) that Synthetic oil has/had detergents in it, so when used in a high mileage car it would end up cleaning up some of the sludge. When the sludge was cleaned up, it would cause leaks from old worn out seals that the sludge had basically kept from leaking.

Maybe Frosty is right and Detergents have been removed, idk.

stonedstooge · 06-03-2013, 10:57 AM

Mix a little antifreeze in with it and you'll be fine

Frosty · 06-03-2013, 11:11 AM

If you switch to synthetic in a high mileage car (100K+ miles), it may not be a bad idea to do a oil change a little sooner than usual in case the synthetic breaks loose some crud in your engine that plugs the filter. After that, you should be fine.

This is probably the best site out there to learn about oil and other automotive fluids:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

WV · 06-03-2013, 11:17 AM

I switched to synthetic hoping for better MPG and it didn't do a thing. Can't say I won't keep using it though.

KC native · 06-03-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV

I switched to synthetic hoping for better MPG and it didn't do a thing. Can't say I won't keep using it though.

All depends on the motor. Synthetics are good for some motors and for some it doesn't make a difference.

Demonpenz · 06-03-2013, 11:49 AM

I put a gator net on my truck and removed the lawnmower from the back and my mpg went up a bit.

OldNewb · 06-03-2013, 12:06 PM

I've used both...on a range of vehicles with varying mileage. Synth will get you an extra 1000 miles between changes. But, it's more expensive than reg. A matter of personal preference when all said and done. Reg-every 3000-4000 miles vs Synth every 4000 miles. Be religious about your air filter changes too. I own a 96' Dodge Ram pickup and recently had to pull the left cylinder head off to replace an exhaust valve. I changed the reg oil every 3000 and the cylinder bore still showed good cross-hatching.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-03-2013, 02:20 PM

Had to share this. Too damned funny:

Im changing the oil on my sisters 2007 Toyota highlander, i was under the thing for a good 20 min looking for the oil filter..i swear to god you have to have slant eyes to work on the thing. who ever put the oil filter where it is now should have their nuts nailed to a stump and pushed over backwards..i had to Google it just to find the fucker. and now that i found it idk how the hell im going to get to it...japcrap..screw Toyota buy a Chevy

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_t...ota_Highlander

**penguinz** · 06-03-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldNewb

I've used both...on a range of vehicles with varying mileage. Synth will get you an extra 1000 miles between changes. But, it's more expensive than reg. A matter of personal preference when all said and done. Reg-every 3000-4000 miles vs Synth every 4000 miles. Be religious about your air filter changes too. I own a 96' Dodge Ram pickup and recently had to pull the left cylinder head off to replace an exhaust valve. I changed the reg oil every 3000 and the cylinder bore still showed good cross-hatching.

You change your oil way too much. Even the low mileage rated synths you should get 5-6K out of. More important to use a quality filter. Not a FRAM.

**HemiEd** · 06-03-2013, 03:02 PM

Yes you can switch back, but I don't know why anyone ever would.

The synthetic does NOT break down with heat and you can safely go 5k between changes, and many go even farther. Not breaking down with heat is a big deal with these new cars, as most have a hot thermostat to help with the emissions.

I have always been that guy that changed every 3k, so this has been hard for me to wait, and I have even changed the synthetic many times at 3k. I still do every spring and fall, as I don't want the corrosives sitting in the oil pan.

You can go to Walmart any day of the week and buy a 5qt. jug of Mobil One for about $25.

06-03-2013, 10:33 AM
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7269572	Synthetic Oil, Regular Oil, and Switching Quick question: I found 5 quarts of synthetic Castrol on clearance for 10 bucks. There are a couple of jugs of it available. I've always used regular in my vehicle. Could I switch back to regular in the future without issues with wear and/or leakage? Thanks.
Posts: 75,077

06-03-2013, 10:35 AM	#2
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $9453829	Motor oil is motor oil __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 40,679

06-03-2013, 10:36 AM	#3
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7712254	yes you can switch __________________
Posts: 39,242

06-03-2013, 10:39 AM	#4
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7269572	I was almost certain of this, then heard someone say otherwise, wanted to scream bullshit, but figured I'd make absolutely sure. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 75,077

06-03-2013, 10:45 AM	#5
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Washington Casino cash: $3508243	When synthetics first came out, there was an occasional problem with high mileage cars where some of the seals would fail if you switched to synthetic. That isn't a problem anymore, so stock up.
Posts: 14,537

06-03-2013, 10:54 AM	#6
ToxSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $2133063	I think the main issue is (and i am not sure if this is still applicable or not) that Synthetic oil has/had detergents in it, so when used in a high mileage car it would end up cleaning up some of the sludge. When the sludge was cleaned up, it would cause leaks from old worn out seals that the sludge had basically kept from leaking. Maybe Frosty is right and Detergents have been removed, idk.
Posts: 65,925

06-03-2013, 10:57 AM	#7
stonedstooge Arf! Arf! Arf! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Casino cash: $3894173	Mix a little antifreeze in with it and you'll be fine __________________ 2013 ADOPT A CHIEF Eric Kush "Often is a word I seldom use"--JP
Posts: 25,289

06-03-2013, 11:11 AM	#8
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Washington Casino cash: $3508243	If you switch to synthetic in a high mileage car (100K+ miles), it may not be a bad idea to do a oil change a little sooner than usual in case the synthetic breaks loose some crud in your engine that plugs the filter. After that, you should be fine. This is probably the best site out there to learn about oil and other automotive fluids: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php
Posts: 14,537

06-03-2013, 11:17 AM	#9
WV Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: In the Holler Casino cash: $10004950	I switched to synthetic hoping for better MPG and it didn't do a thing. Can't say I won't keep using it though.
Posts: 4,983

06-03-2013, 11:49 AM	#11
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-203864	I put a gator net on my truck and removed the lawnmower from the back and my mpg went up a bit. __________________
Posts: 54,943

06-03-2013, 12:06 PM	#12
OldNewb Rookie Join Date: Feb 2012 Casino cash: $10004900	I've used both...on a range of vehicles with varying mileage. Synth will get you an extra 1000 miles between changes. But, it's more expensive than reg. A matter of personal preference when all said and done. Reg-every 3000-4000 miles vs Synth every 4000 miles. Be religious about your air filter changes too. I own a 96' Dodge Ram pickup and recently had to pull the left cylinder head off to replace an exhaust valve. I changed the reg oil every 3000 and the cylinder bore still showed good cross-hatching.
Posts: 13

06-03-2013, 02:20 PM	#13
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7269572	Had to share this. Too damned funny: Im changing the oil on my sisters 2007 Toyota highlander, i was under the thing for a good 20 min looking for the oil filter..i swear to god you have to have slant eyes to work on the thing. who ever put the oil filter where it is now should have their nuts nailed to a stump and pushed over backwards..i had to Google it just to find the fucker. and now that i found it idk how the hell im going to get to it...japcrap..screw Toyota buy a Chevy http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_t...ota_Highlander __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 75,077

06-03-2013, 03:02 PM	#15
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $-289436	Yes you can switch back, but I don't know why anyone ever would. The synthetic does NOT break down with heat and you can safely go 5k between changes, and many go even farther. Not breaking down with heat is a big deal with these new cars, as most have a hot thermostat to help with the emissions. I have always been that guy that changed every 3k, so this has been hard for me to wait, and I have even changed the synthetic many times at 3k. I still do every spring and fall, as I don't want the corrosives sitting in the oil pan. You can go to Walmart any day of the week and buy a 5qt. jug of Mobil One for about $25.
Posts: 34,810