Synthetic oil

How many of you believe that it is advantagious to use synthetic over conventional oil? Or, maybe more to the point, worth it.

I do. I run Mobil 1 in the engine of everything i own.

I guess i've always done it as a "what the heck, it might help", but for a penny or two a mile if the use of synthetics reduced the need for service or improved mileage by 2%, etc., you'd ultimately break even.

I use Mobil 1 in everything. Out of all the syns, I think it's the best. As for more mileage, don't know, I never checked. It has to better for the motor than regular oil. A lot of people say as long as you change it every 3000, it does not make a difference what you use. I have seen tests and tried some myself and syns seem to protect better. Syns can take a lot more heat than reg oil (if your engine overheats, some oils will crystalize and you loose any protection). Also if you put a regular and a syn in the freezer overnight, you will see the difference of how much better the syn oil will flow. (in some cases, you cant even get the regular oil to flow at all). That can help some of those cold morning starts.
Is it worth the extra money? I think so, but i'm sure you could find a lot of people that would tell you it isn't. .......I know it performs better and makes me feel better knowing I'm doing everything I can do to keep the motor working strong. Don't know if this helps, but it's my .02.

Ain't arguing about anyone's perferred lubricating brew...

I've used Castrol since I've been driving and that's when car wheels were made of wooden spokes..Well maybe not quite that long

But anyway, I now use the Castrol Syntec in everything I drive..And I Have ever since it came out..In all my cars and there's been a few...I never ever once had a single internal engine problem...I used Mobil 1 when it first came out in 1976/77, in my 75 Toyota Celica, and it burned a qt per week and dripped out both front and rear seals..I changeed back to Castrol and everything returned to normal on it's own...Now things have come a long way since then with Mobil 1, but since that time I've been leary of ever using it again..

But to answer your question; "is it worth it?"..Absolutely!!! Besides, they don't need fossil oils to make it, so that makes us less oil dependant.

The big difference in lubricity between synthetics and petrolium oils is that the syntehic oils have molecules of all the same size. The petrolium based products have molecules of different size. To quote one of my instructors when I was taking diesel mechanics, "Imagine draggind a refrigerator across a cement floor covered in gravel. It moves pretty good, but there is still some resistance. Now imagine dragging that same refrigerator across the same floor, but this time it is covered marbles. It moves a lot easier. The petrolium product molecules are like the gravel, all different sizes and shapes. The synthetic is like the marbles, all uniform in size and shape." It has the same effect on the engine parts.

Way to go Dennis. "It doesn't take fossil fuels to make synthetic oil". And people have the audacity to say that we Hummer driver's have no respect for environmental issues.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

Ain't arguing about anyone's perferred lubricating brew...

I've used Castrol since I've been driving and that's when car wheels were made of wooden spokes..Well maybe not quite that long

But anyway, I now use the Castrol Syntec in everything I drive..And I Have ever since it came out..In all my cars and there's been a few...I never ever once had a single internal engine problem...I used Mobil 1 when it first came out in 1976/77, in my 75 Toyota Celica, and it burned a qt per week and dripped out both front and rear seals..I changeed back to Castrol and everything returned to normal on it's own...Now things have come a long way since then with Mobil 1, but since that time I've been leary of ever using it again..

But to answer your question; "is it worth it?"..Absolutely!!! Besides, they don't need fossil oils to make it, so that makes us less oil dependant.

Dennis. I too use to use Mobil 1 Synthetic when it first came out in 1976/77. The only problem with it then is that it use to only come in 5W-20. I also remember that the oil gauge in my van use to be on the low side from how thin it was.

LG that's an awesome explanation.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sugardaddy

LG that's an awesome explanation.

I second that. LG seems to be the expert on everything Petrolium.

I HAVE A QUESTION YES I DO.

What is the main difference between all of the Synthetics out there?

I have personally tried ALL of them. Every time I would use a different one, the last time I tested being a few years ago on my Camaro. It has a 3.6L V6. I used Castrol Syntec, Mobile 1, Royal Purple, etc. But the one I actually noticed a difference with was the Valvoline SynPower. I even had my friends drive my car that were used to it and said they felt a difference. It wasn't a miracle increase in power, but we all felt there was a difference in accleration and engine vibration while accelerating. I do like Royal Purple just because it seems to hold out longer, but I have only used the SynPower since then. I haven't done it in my H3 yet but I will be soon. I'm still debating whether I want to use RP, SynPower or that new 7500 mile oil, I think Mobile makes it.

LG had a good point. So, is one synthetic just as good as the next, or is it perhaps the size of the molecules vary from one brand to another?

No impact, no idea. The molecules may be a different size, but beyond the shape and color of the jug, and the price on the sticker, I think it boils down to a personal taste. Kinda like Coke vs. Pepsi. They are both the same, but different enough to where the brand loyal die hards swear by them, or at them depending on thier side of the fence.

Only fossil fools don't use synthetic lubes. Corvette went with Mobil 1 when they wanted to do away with the engine oil cooler in the 92 and up Vettes which came with Mobil 1 as factory fill and it is the required oil. The engine ran as cooler and could handle extreme heat with Mobil 1 and no oil cooler.
It is also factory fill in the AMG Mercedes, Aston Martin, Porsche, Viper, or any car where the engine is worth protecting to the max.
I changed my H3 oil at 1500 miles and will be using Mobil 1 forever.

Why did you change it at 1500?

I changed mine at 1000 miles and then again at 5000 on the odo..now I'll be doing it every 5000 here after...
(Castrol Syntec)

Bird..I guess there is no real good reason to change it so early or so often..But the first oil change gets out all the manufactuing assembly greases and oils and small contaminates from being built...That's my theory and I'm sticking with it..Anyways it's cheap insurance and if you are a DIYer then this gives you a chance to get your lazy ass underneath to look things over for any problems that might otherwise go unchecked and progress to eventual premature failure of something..And I never had any engines develop internal problems with changing the oil more regular than the manufacturer suggests...people that go the full distance between changes I have heard to develop problems...So I'm just a worry wort and old school and don't want to press my luck as I've always have had good luck with frequent oil changes.

So is there any justification to switching to this stuff:

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_Extended_Performance.aspx

And what do you think about this stuff:

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil1_Truck_SUV_5W30.aspx

If it's true, as has been mentioned above, that one synthetic is basically the same as another, then perhaps I am inclined to buy Castrol or Valvoline over Mobil. Isn't Mobil a French-owned company? Oui?

However, I will say that the Mobil synthetic 5W-30 formulated for SUVs is mildly attractive, since the H3 engine does seems to be overstressed as it is...

.02

Mike..Save your money on the high dollar Mobil 1 15,000 mile stuff..If you just use their regular stuff it will be fine...
Bird...I know for a fact that Mobil 1 and Amsoil and Red Line are all 100% PURE synthetics..Castrol Syntec is actually a base of petrol combined with Synthetics...Seems they changed their formula from pure synthetic to group III petroleum base stocks. They were sued by Mobil 1 because of it. They have legal rights to claim their syntec is full synthetic, their claim is FULL Synthetic and that has caused them some heartburn in the advertising industry...But the bottom line it's still for all pratical purposes Synthetic, and not to be confused with the Blended formula..As I said in previous posts that Mobil 1 caused things to leak on my cars before and I stay away from it now...It maybe just fine now..But once you go synthetic, never go back to regular dino oil.

Verrrry interesting...I had no idea that Castrol Syntec was in fact not a full synthetic. What about the Valvoline one? There's a Valvoline oil change joint right next to my house...ahhh screw it...I'm just gonna take it to the dealer I guess since it's near my office anyway. Will the dealer put in synthetic?

Pardon the newbie, non-mechanically-inclined questions...

No..I believe the dealers are only required to put in conventional motor oils...But if you take them a case of your favorite Synthetic (actually takes 6.5 qts)..I'm sure they'll put it in for you..

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

No..I believe the dealers are only required to put in conventional motor oils...But if you take them a case of your favorite Synthetic (actually takes 6.5 qts)..I'm sure they'll put it in for you..

The dealer told me the H3 requires synthetic and that's what they put in mine, so did the oil places I had it changed from. Are you sure about that?

Once again, I READ the Owner's Manual thoroughly

On page 5-15, it clearly states to use only oil that meets GM standards GM6094M...Most all gasoline engine dino based motor oils at least meet that standard...Synthetics meet it as well and exceeds it...The OM however never once mentions the requirement to use only SYNTHETICS...

The fact that your Dealer is using Synthetic oils in your HUMMER, is a a plus for your Dealer..but like I said, The Dealer is NOT required to use Synthetics, only to use oil meeting the GM stanadard, and that could be anything.

What brand did they put in yours?

FYI

FOUR BALL WEAR OVERVIEW
(ASTM D-4172)

- The Four Ball Wear Test determines the wear protection properties of a lubricant.
- Three metal balls are clamped together and covered with the test lubricant, while a rotating fourth ball is pressed against them in sliding contact.
- This contact typically produces a wear scar, which is measured and recorded.
- The smaller the average wear scar, the better the wear protection provided by the lubricant.
- AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil provides unsurpassed protection against engine wear. Equipment life is extended, and repairs, downtime and expenses are reduced.
- AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil produced the smallest wear scar of the tested lubricants. The smaller the number the better the wear protection.


FOUR-BALL WEAR (ASTM D-4172)
(May 2003 Test Results)

- Pennzoil with Purebase 0.65 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Quaker State Peak Performance 0.60 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Castrol GTX Drive Hard 0.60 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Valvoline 0.60 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Mobil 1 Super Syn 0.60 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Pennzoil Synthetic 0.60 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Mobil Drive Clean 0.55 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Quaker State Synthetic 0.55 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Valvoline Syn Power 0.55 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- Castrol Syntec 0.45 mm Wear Scar Diameter
- AMSOIL ATM 0.40 mm Wear Scar Diameter

a little more info...

Redline oil

Lat oil change, well in fact it was my first oil change, I put Royal Purple in. Is this any better than the others, or doesn't it really matter?