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Synthetic Oil

19K views 106 replies 53 participants last post by  imfnlo  
#1 ·
Im running valveoline 5w30 right now. Im doing a oil change in a few weeks, would anyone sugguest synthetic or half n half?
 
#2 ·
I just converted my s10 to Mobil 1. I ran valvoline since i got it (52,000miles) and it now has 61,6XX. Don't know how many miles yours has but I can say mine starts easier and feels like it has a little more grunt. Before I converted, I was averaging 17mpg, then 20mpg, and now I will update at my next tank full.
 
#5 ·
i just got mine switched over to full syn. but i havent ran her enough to feel any difference
 
#7 ·
Me 2
I use the 15,000 mile interval oil. I run it to 15,000k every time. its awesome saves a lot of money.
 
#9 ·
me personally, i would never run 15,000 miles b/t oil changes no matter what kind of oil i used
it's nice to get under the truck and have a look around every once in a while
plus if you are going to grease everything and rotate the tires regularly, why not just change the oil
the way i see it, its cheap insurance to just change it every 3,000
 
#17 ·
after reading i believe i was misinformed by a mechanic at the local garage (needed quick oil change, wasnt at home, had no tools went to garage) he said htat changing over to synth at 325 would eat all the seals in my truck and id start to see leaks everywhere, iwas sure it was bs but went with standard oil anyway, oil change soon, should i go synth? any negatives?
 
#22 ·
Total bs, its a myth. Synthetic is miles better. Go w/ a good royal purple or mobil and a good filter. I use only k&N filters. and run them 15,000 miles with the oil. I would never put a fram on my truck. There designed and build poorly internally.
 
#18 ·
i use valvoline max life over 75000 mile 5w30 full sythetic with a fram double guard filter. i usually run mine bout 6-7000 miles and never had a problem. also it seemed to have helped with my lil oil leaks. and just to let u know i have 180000 miles on the blazer and 148000 on the s10. both had decent amount of leaks be4 i changed over and alot of my leaks have either slowed alot or just stopped
 
#19 ·
I'm running Royal Purple w/ the K&N filter in my truck, no problems. I usually change the oil around 8-10K miles, supposed to change the filter after 4-5K but I didn't this time around.
 
#26 ·
THought you weren't supposed to run full syn mixed with regular oil?

DO you mean get a synthetic blend?

Ya mine has 125k and I'm not sure about switching because of the risk of leaks. Is there anyone here that can confirm they switched after 100k miles and had no leaks many miles later?
 
#27 ·
Who said that? Look thow whatever you have heard about synthetics in the garbage and start all over.

Synthetics are 10 times better at start up, especially on a cold day. Try this Take a quart of conventional oil and synthetic oil and put them in a deep freezer for a day. then when there good and cold just like your car would be when its 0degrees outside, pour them out into a pan and see which one pours quicker. well i should say pour the synthetic out and wait a couple minutes for the conventional to catch up. The synthetic will pour like it did when it was 70 degrees. The conventional will pour like syrup. Now just imagine whats going on in your engine on a cold day.
Synthetics perform better at higher temperatures, resist viscosity breakdown at a molecular level. Basically when the oil is refined all the bad molecules are taken so that the good molecules will hold a better chemical bond. They dissipate heat faster than conventional oil because the impurities in conventional oils hold in heat.

Those are all facts that i learned from a fluid engineer that came into my work years back when i worked for valvoline.

I switched my truck over at 80k and im at 170k and my front main, rear main, pan gasket dont leak a drop. When i worked at valvoline i use to switch people w/ 100k + over every day and never had someone comeback complaining about leaks.
 
#28 ·
So all thru the years I can take my 84 Pontiac, my 72 Buick, my dads 74 Dodge and switch them all over to any full synthetic from any conventional and I shuold have no leaks if they currently are not leaking? Or is it just more modern type engine seals that are ok? I know all teh benefits of syn, but would hate to blow out an old main seal, or seep out the oil pan gasket thats not leaking now, just because I switched.
 
#29 ·
Once again here very recently several people have asked me about synthetic oil. It seems the old myth of not being able to switch brands, blends, viscosity or formulations has showed its ugly face again. Just joking....So here we go.
The biggest myth is if you start using synthetic oil can I switch back to conventional oil. The facts. Years ago when snyhthetic where first introduced you could not go back to conventional. The base stocks where 100% PAO and at that time did not have the correct chemistry to allow them to mix with group II or III basestocks. This showed true when you had parts or seals in an engine that was coated with the PAO. When you switch to conventional the parts/seals would not get lubrication because the two styles would not mix together. With todays new chemical methods, now allow us to mix different base stocks together allowing us to make products named blends, like Valvoline DuraBlend. This carries true to when you switch in an engine. Some what different because the detergency and other additives in the oils will remove old build up so it can be filtered and allow new oil to lubricate properly. This will hold true on switching viscosity, brands and formulations. ALL IN ALL YOU CAN SWITCH OIL TYPES, but always used the correct oil recommended for your manufacture. Engines may need certain types of oil for other reasons and thats another topic.
I hope this clears the air on Synthetic Oil Myth.
Philip Medlock Valvoline Technical Specialist.
 
#30 ·
How synthetics are made.

Some synthetic fluids are produced through a synthesis process that takes very small molecules and assemble them into larger designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. Others may be produced through a synthesis process that takes very large molecules, breaks them apart and re-arranges them to produce designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. In either case the end products are base fluids with extremely good lubricating properties. However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages.
Synthetic Motor Oil Advantages
• Breakdown Resistance: Increased thermal and oxidation stability.
• Deposit Control: Reduces formation of sludge and varnish deposits.
• Wear Protection: Improves oil film strength and breakdown resistance.
• Volatility: Lowers oil vaporization and consumption at extreme conditions.
• Cold Start Properties: Flows easily at low temperature.

Philip Medlock Valvoline Technical Specialist.
 
#31 ·
How synthetics are made.

Some synthetic fluids are produced through a synthesis process that takes very small molecules and assemble them into larger designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. Others may be produced through a synthesis process that takes very large molecules, breaks them apart and re-arranges them to produce designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. In either case the end products are base fluids with extremely good lubricating properties. However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages.
Synthetic Motor Oil Advantages
• Breakdown Resistance: Increased thermal and oxidation stability.
• Deposit Control: Reduces formation of sludge and varnish deposits.
• Wear Protection: Improves oil film strength and breakdown resistance.
• Volatility: Lowers oil vaporization and consumption at extreme conditions.
• Cold Start Properties: Flows easily at low temperature.

Philip Medlock Valvoline Technical Specialist.
Pretty much the same thing i was saying Thanks for clairifying it a little more in depth than i can tho.
 
#37 ·
i run castrol syntech blend in my truck, since i change the oil at 3k miles.

i've ran full synth before and it looks brand new when you drain it at 3k. so i decided to get the best of both worlds and save a little $.

synth oil is better on paper, but i've seen motors on dyno oil last just as long as synth oil. it all depends on how well the motor is taken care off and how it is driven.

i also use either a Wix or a AC Delco filter when i change my oil.
 
#80 ·
i run castrol syntech blend in my truck, since i change the oil at 3k miles.

i've ran full synth before and it looks brand new when you drain it at 3k. so i decided to get the best of both worlds and save a little $.

synth oil is better on paper, but i've seen motors on dyno oil last just as long as synth oil. it all depends on how well the motor is taken care off and how it is driven.

i also use either a Wix or a AC Delco filter when i change my oil.
VISIT WWW.BOBISTHEOILGUY.COM THEY DO USED OIL ANALYSIS ALL THE TIME PENNZOIL PLATINUM SHOWS THE BEST NUMBERS WITH 5W30 EVEN AFTER 12000 MILES
 
#38 ·
Just a little advice to all of you! If you decide to try extended drain on a vehicle with higher miles you better have an independent lab test the oil you have in the engine before you change to new. Allot of oils will go past 3000 miles but it is not the oil you have to worrie about but the contaminants that get in the oil. The oil sample will tell you what condition the engine is in before you decide to extend the drain.

Philip Medlock
Vavloline Technical Specialist.
 
#39 ·
yeah and cut the filter open and compare contaminants to the previous oil change.