Synthetic Oil, Regular Oil, and Switching

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

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

The back and forth on whether you can go back was always a sales pitch more than anything.

Originally Posted by Detoxing

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.

That's one part of the equation, break down, true viscosity, clearances, and contaminants come into a bigger issue.

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

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

Hell no.

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.

Never switch motor oils for MPG's, if you did, you are a sucker. Unless you're comparing the difference between a 20 weight and a 50 weight oil, which even then is so miniscule it won't matter; avoid trying to get MPG out of an oil change.

You could inflate your tires 5 more lbs, or switch to a narrower tire, and get better MPG's than an oil change. Better yet, change your air filter, do a tune up, and enjoy great MPG's.

Originally Posted by penguinz

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.

I agree with you on the filter part, but there is NOTHING WRONG with changing your oil before it "needs" to be done.

It largely depends on how you drive, the clearances of your motor, and your environment. Not whether or not you can go X miles.

As an example, from KC, did a lot of Drag Racing, Auto-X, and Street Racing. I'd change my oil after every Auto-X, every day at the drag strip, and every 2500 miles in between those if I were out street racing during that month or what have you.

I drive my car hard enough to where I want CLEAN, FRESH oil in my car on the daily. I'm not willing to chance thousands of dollars in repairs on a simple oil change.

Originally Posted by BroncoDork

The beauty of synthetic is cold starts. Like 0 degrees F and lower. I like the synthetic gear oil in my differentials, transfer case and trans also. Huge difference getting the truck going on below zero days. Amsoil, baby. Get it.

That isn't the beauty of synthetic at all. That's the beauty of weight and viscosity that keeps your engine safer on cold starts.

Originally Posted by KC native

No it isn't. The 3k rule is outdated. Conventional oils can run 5-7k in some cars. Oil tech has come a long way in the last 20 years.

You know what hasn't come a long way in 20 years? The way we drive our cars.

A prius driver might get 10K miles in between oil changes doing his "Green" thing. A Mercedes might get 15k because it uses the most scientifically over engineered oil on the planet, with a green conscious driver behind the wheel.

But you give a kid a Mustang for a weekend, and you're changing your oil every 3k miles.

Know why? Its all about how you drive the car and the heat and duty it receives.

I could drive my mustang 5k miles on a synthetic oil and not have an issue.

However, I won't be able to get "into" it and have fun with the car, having the expectation to last 5k miles on a change. Knowing what I know about contaminants in your oil and what it can do, hell no.

I'll stick with every 3k miles, Amsoil, Mobil, or otherwise.

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Okay since we're on the subject of oil I have some questions myself. Last time I got it changed it was way low due to a leak, however since then it doesn't show that it's been leaking, but it still smells like it's burning oil when I come to a stop.

Any ideas?

Its entirely possible that you used a different weight/viscosity and it can no longer seep out. The old oil, however, is probably going to make itself to the back of the motor, closer to the cabin, and drip down onto the pavement, or perhaps in this case, your exhaust manifolds, H pipes, X pipes, or what have you. It doesn't exactly dry up over night, some oil can puddle up indefinitely and just slowly burn off giving you that smell.