Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
the only real advantage of synthetic it can operate at higher temperature without breaking down and jelling. I use it for all air cooled engines. But like convention oil the additives only work so long as well as collect acids and particles. That is why every modern manual I have seen says change oil at same interval no matter the type. There is no evidence that well maintain engines last longer with use of synthethic oil unless operated at higher temperatures than normal.Many modern engine do with higher thermostat ratings so if recommended use it.
Would someone like to chime in and explain the "benefits" of synthetic motor oil? I'm not asking for advertising hype and BS- I already know the difference. A nice short explanation of any benefits with just a little smattering of specs to back it up would be nice.
I just purchased a 2006 Toyota Rav 4 Limited 6 Cyl with 70K miles in great mechanical condition. I talked to my mechanic and he told me that I could run either regular or synthetic oil in the car. If I ran synthetic oil, it could go 5K miles between changes and it would be more expensive. If I ran regular, I should go 3K miles and they would be less expensive. I want to make the right choice for the engine, but I'm not sure which is best. I always keep up with regular maintainence on my cars. I live in a very hot climate (TX). Is using synthetic less often better than more frequent changes with regular? Is synthetic oil overrated, especially in cars that don't require it?
I can see justification for 3k mile oil changes using any legitimate oil.
"Synthetic oil" is kind of like "natural beef," there is no good standard for what it means.
Would someone like to chime in and explain the "benefits" of synthetic motor oil? I'm not asking for advertising hype and BS- I already know the difference. A nice short explanation of any benefits with just a little smattering of specs to back it up would be nice.
the biggest advantage with synthetic oil is the long polymer chains that increase lubricity and increase film strength at the same time. something else, when a dino oil molecule chain breaks, it unravels, but when a synthetic oil molecule chain breaks, it just becomes two parts. this is what makes synthetic oils more stable than dino oils.
Can someone tell me, please, when in the last 40 years or so 3000 mile oil changes were recommended for normal driving. Not for dusty, towing, taxi or other short trip driving but what the Owner's Manuals describe as "normal".
I've had cars from a 1968 until today and all of them recommended 5000 mile (or more) intervals. None recommended synthetic, two of the Fords listed using semi-synthetic as "optimal" but not necessary.
My 1979 Pontiac was 7500 miles with oil filters every 15000. The 2010 Forester is 7500. The 2014 F150 is 10000.
It does not matter which type of oil you use (synthetic or not). Synthetic does help if you drive in very hot of very cold regions, but other than that it makes no difference. The 2009 Forester with the normally aspirated motor (not the turbo one), calls for 5W-30 oil year long, and no oil type is mentioned. The same for the 2010 Toyota Rav 4 with a V6.
Since Mobil 1 5W-30 costs around $25.00 at Walmart, I use that oil for my wife's Rav 4, and replace it every 5,000 miles or six months (whichever comes first). Now, when Walmart was not in town a gallon of Mobil 1 cost around $45.00 at NAPA, so back then I used conventional oil on all our automobiles, and replaced it every 3,000 miles.
What he said. This will give you the MOST accurate reading of how soon you need to change oil for your driving style. I ran Royal Purple in my 2002 F150, switched over at 80,000 miles and used it all the way until i traded it at 175,000 miles. Never had an issue, always changed at 5,000 miles. Keep in mind, it's pricey.
Amazon has all Royal Purple oil on sale for as low as $38.00 for a pack of 6 Quarts and as a part of this deal, they'll throw in a RP oil filter for free ($12 value).
If anyone is interested in this stuff, you may want to check this deal out, it expires on June 15th.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
