The truth about synthetic oil
The truth about synthetic oil
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
To alleviate ignorance, please read the following:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=100060
I'm too tired to go into why the parts store guy who apparently knows everything about oils is only working in a damn parts store. I'll let everyone else draw their own conclusions.....
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=100060
I'm too tired to go into why the parts store guy who apparently knows everything about oils is only working in a damn parts store. I'll let everyone else draw their own conclusions.....
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,879
Re: The truth about synthetic oil
Originally posted by Y2KMaxGXE-R
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
The truth is syth oil is superior in every way, shape, form. It's just not worth it unless you have money to burn. Volvos were going 300,000+ long before synth oil was available, because the shade trees were saying change your oil every 2k back then.
Ah, the old mineral spirits myth. And you shouldn't go swimming after you eat either!
Re: The truth about synthetic oil
Originally posted by Y2KMaxGXE-R
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
Okay here goes. On the Pro's, he is correct, and we can add reduced operating temperatures, REDUCED oil consumption, less environmental concerns and a whole slew of other stuff I'm not going to bother to list.
On the Cons:
1. His head is up his ***. You've got to be kidding me. What possible reason would there be for a Japanese engine to burn more oil with a synthetic than an American one or a German one. What happens when Mazda builds an engine and it's in a Ford?
2. Sort of. Switching over to synthetic oil on an abused or neglected engine (maintenance wise) might lead to a leak. The problem was actually caused by the petroleum oil to begin with though. The sludge that a petroleum oil can create can form a false seal around seals. The seals depend on oil to swell and remain supple. When they are deprived off it they can dry out and crack. When a synthetic with it's greater detergency is used the sludge can be cleaned away, exposing a cracked and damaged seal which then leaks. Sometimes the seal will re-swell and the leak will eventually stop, but it usually needs to fixed to make it stop if it is bad enough. The problem was already there and caused by petroleum oil. Eventually it would have leaked anyway. Switching to synthetics may bring the problem to the surface sooner, but the bottom line is the seal is going to be replaced anyway. All this is a worse case scenario anyway, many people with high mileage have swithced over with no problems whatsoever.
3. The guy in the store mentioned a benefit was a longer drain interval, yet he says an oil change costs more? Okay, the purchase price of the oil is more, but the longer intervals offset the price difference considerably, even if you only "extend" to 7500 miles. If using Amsoil, and your car can go longer than that, sometimes up to 25-35K miles, you can actually SAVE money. Is the parts guy familair with the term correlation??
Less frequent oil changes also means less downtime for your vehicle, freeing your time up to do the other things you enjoy and lessen the impact of recycled oil on the environment. Hmmmmmmm, I see a lot a benefits and very few potential drawbacks and there are other factors we're not even getting into here.
As for high speed driving. My car sees triple digits on a regualr basis, is driven in competitions and on roadcourses. On the roadcourse, the engine is operated at full throttle through the entire rev range for a half hour periods of time. The car has 72K miles on it. Total oil additions over it's life have been 2 1/2 quarts. High speed/high pressure driving my ***.
One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
You almost have to love it. Some guy at a parts store making $8/hr. and happy to spend the rest of his life there preaching the "truth about synthetic oil".
Okay I'm done now, my head hurts. I need Bill's head banging pic!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 790
Re: The truth about synthetic oil
Originally posted by Y2KMaxGXE-R
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
I just learned from autoparts store's sales guy the following pros and cons of using synthetic motor oil vs. conventional:
Pros:
1) smoother running engine
2) almost NO wear=improved longevity
3) greater distances between oil changes
4) better fuel economy
Cons:
1) most japanese engines will burn the synthetic oil.
2) engine is more likely to develop a leak
3) higher cost per oil change
That guy also said if you're running synthetic oil, try not to drive at high speeds (high speed=greater internal pressure) to reduce the chance of developing oil leaks/burning. One well-respected .org member here had to add a quart only after 2000 miles since changing to synthetic oil, and there are no signs of leaking.
Is that true?
Hey Bro, thanks that's good know!!!!
Thank you everyone, although you could have said the same without flaming up the guy. Definitely, 25K oil change interval make sense, it will offset any premium price. I was laughing at someone assuming a parts guy would know the term correlation. Not everyone is as smart as you are. But definitely, all of your experiences are very useful and thanks for sharing.
Originally posted by Y2KMaxGXE-R
Thank you everyone, although you could have said the same without flaming up the guy. Definitely, 25K oil change interval make sense, it will offset any premium price. I was laughing at someone assuming a parts guy would know the term correlation. Not everyone is as smart as you are. But definitely, all of your experiences are very useful and thanks for sharing.
Thank you everyone, although you could have said the same without flaming up the guy. Definitely, 25K oil change interval make sense, it will offset any premium price. I was laughing at someone assuming a parts guy would know the term correlation. Not everyone is as smart as you are. But definitely, all of your experiences are very useful and thanks for sharing.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,879
Originally posted by iwannabmw
Come on man, you know one of the reasons everyone love's this site is the drama
Come on man, you know one of the reasons everyone love's this site is the drama
I heard this stuff comes to a screeching halt when you have kids. I guess until then we like talking cars. When you really think of it, there's not a lot of useful info on this forum that's not "show" related, it's always about the clears, the washers, the rims, I beat an M3 last weekend, why couldn't I beat an M3 last weekend...hehe
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 162
Well, geez, I guess I'll have to go find the leaks on my car now... I use synthetic (Amsoil, of course) and drive like a bit of a madman... but no leaks or burning oil so far... And if Japanese engines had those problems, imagine how bad an American engine would be?!! No leaks on my bro's Cobra Mustang, my Sis-in-laws Exploder...
I guess Mark's answer pretty much says it all...
I guess Mark's answer pretty much says it all...
synthetic oil was invented by hitler's forces during the war. no one would import to him, so he had to make his own. It was developed for airplanes. I'm sure it will hold up in our max's. I run M 1 in my car and it works great. No probs.
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