Regular or Synthetic Oil?

[CryBoy]

From what I have heard, synthetic oil is supposed to be "better" for your engine. How much truth is there in this statement?

Does synthetic oil give you better gas mileage?

After 3 years of using regular engine oil in my 2001 Honda Passport, can I still change to synthetic oil? Will there be any negative effects?

Synthetic motor oil costs 3 or 4 times as much as regular motor oil, but I think the savings from better mileage will compensate for the cost of oil. Plus, you change oil every 6K miles or so with synthetic oil instead of the 3K with regular.

Correct info is greatly appreciated.

 

[Simply In The Red]

If you change your regular oil every 3k miles with a quality brand, you probably won't notice too much difference in your Isuzu. If you drive it hard, aren't that diligent about oil changes, or won't more piece of mind, then I would suggest changing over to synthetic oil. I only use synthetic in my cars because I'm hard on one and the other is a turbo.

 

[dogface]

I only used synthetic when I owned a Toyota Supra Turbo, other than that regular oil and frequent changes will be just fine.

I concur with simply in red....


TSI

 

[spang]

Well, I only run synthetic in my cars and that has been from day one. My cars are both of the high performance type( BMW 540i- 6speed) and a mustang GT). I tend to be aggressive behind the wheel and like the peace of mind that the synthetics bring. My mechanics also state that in the long run my engines will benifit from the synthetic oil. It is important to note that I plan on keeping both vehicles for a quite extended period.

Seeing that you have driven on conventional oil for 3 years I would not change now. I have been told that changing now could change the consitancy of your seals and lead to leaks, some say yes, some say no. Perhaps somebody here with a more mechanical mind could expound on the thoughts on that theory.

If you follow a diligent oil change schedule you should be fine with the conventional oil, though I would be careful to avoid oils with a high paraffin content(Quaker State,as well as some others).

 

[spang]

A good read on motor oil

A good read on motor oil

OIL FACTS

 

[Terryray]

oil...

oil...

I've seen a few cars with higher miles (over 90K) change to synthetic and get some leaks as superior oil cleans out muck that was helping seal.

No question synthetic is superior---for that reason FAA has required it used on planes for years. But how much would help a car not driving a lot in extreme conditions is another question.

 

[dawgball]

Do synthetics have any crude oil (?) in them? Is this the way of the future if oil production does slow (shich I doubt it will)?

Just some questions from someone who knows nothing about this.

 

[Chain Saw]

Here's another question from a guy who know's nothing about this kinda stuff. About six month's ago I take my 1997 Cadillac to a quickie oil change place and the guy in the hole shouts out "Leak in # 1". They said my front seal was leaking.

I investigate(didn't take it to the dealer here) and one guy says, well we got to drop the motor to fix this-how about $700.

I asked a buddy of mine who is a service manager at the Ford place in town and he says bring it by I think I can get you out for less than $200.

I changed to 10W-40 add a quart every 500 miles or so.

Question: Was the first guy just trying to screw me or would it really cost that damn much to fix a seal?

 

[Simply In The Red]

I could see $700 for changing the rear seal but not that much for a front engine seal. :thinking:

 

[DR STRANGELOVE]

Question: Was the first guy just trying to screw me or would it really cost that damn much to fix a seal?

if you were in my area I'd change it for a case of beer


what model is your caddy? I repaired a front seal on my uncle's 1999 seville in about 1.25 hours. Not that hard to do if you have the right tools and some knowledge of engines

 

[Chain Saw]

It's a sedan deville. Normal engine. Nothing fancy. North star.

 

[DR STRANGELOVE]

1999 seville

sedan+deville=seville

lol

seville is a pretty city in spain though lol

sorry for the typo.... I called a dealership today and they estimated $275.00 cdn out the door about 2-2.5 hours labour

 

[UT-Longhorn]

I use only synthetic, only change it every 7500 miles.......conventional motor oil is good till 9k-10k miles, so synthetic can last longer longer than that, but either way, i choose synthetic in my cadillac......

 

[Chain Saw]

Thanks Doc. Will follow up.

Chain Saw

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

sedan+deville=seville

lol

seville is a pretty city in spain though lol

sorry for the typo.... I called a dealership today and they estimated $275.00 cdn out the door about 2-2.5 hours labour

so that's about 50 bucks american and half an hour US.....

 

[Simply In The Red]

:lol2 :lol2