is it time for mobil1 synthetic?
 

my 2k2 max has around 20k on it and the place where i get my oil changed said i should put in synthetic. i said ill come back to you on that. he claims my car wil run "cooler" and run better. is this true and is it too early to put synethetic in?

Be careful.

I am suspicious of oil change places that say things like that. He didn't mention that you will require less frequent oil changes did he? I'm just worried because it almost sounds like they're trying to get you to switch to synthetic, but still come in just as frequently...

Yes, it may run a tad cooler and better, but since your car is so new and should be in good shape anyway I doubt you will notice any tangible improvement. I know even I didn't and my car is much older, and lots of people don't notice much difference if their car has been maintained well.

The MAIN benefit you should get from switching to a good synthetic is extended oil drain intervals. Yes it's better than regular oil in almost every aspect except for cost, but if you change the normal oil on a regular basis appropriate to your driving habits there is very little difference or advantage.

It is never too early to put in synthetic.

hes actualy a good family friend and i did forget to mention he did say i would have more time in between changes. he wasnt trying to sell it to me because last time i went in he said this, he said when you go over 20k bring it in and we'll put synthetic in. so should i do it now, or just take it to the dealer and have them do it because they are gonna do some tsb's for me anyway.

Go with the Mobil 1 10w-30 grade. It is more shear stable than the 5w-30 grade. Since you are in Florida, you could use the 10w-30 year round.

The two best Mobil 1 Supersyn weights are the 10w-30 and 15w-50.

isnt 15-50 racing grade?

One of the reasons I'm hopeful about synthetics, is how it supposedly keeps the engine cleaner internally. I switched my 2K over at 30K and hope it will result in an engine which stays moderately clean after 100+K mi, or at least hope I don't get any sludge/oil-related symptoms, like ticking valves...

Synthetics do keep engines cleaner. Mobil1 10w30 is a good choice for the Max and it is available almost anyway. I do not recommend extending any synthetic oil beyond 10K without doing a UOA to determine the how the oil is holding up. An initial UOA at 5k will help you determine how far it can go. Just my two cents.

Pedro

It can be used for racing. Mobil 1 is coming out with Racing Oil line in the spring.

Mobil 1 15w-50 is A3 (European rating i.e. VW, MB, BMW et al) rated and not API (American Petroleum Institute) rated oil. It is really a heavy 10w-40 because the 50 weight is on the low side (Mobil 1 runs thin in all weights) and it could easy pour at 10w (winter).

Some folks mix the 15w-50 with the 10w-30 to thicken it up depending on application to approx. 10w-40. The 15w-50 has a good dose of ZDDP (zinc) a great anti wear agent that Amsoil has, hence the non API rating.