Synthetic oil

[Suek]

Anyone using Synthetic oil? Any thoughts about it?

[DollsHubby]

Yes I do and always have since its coming out.
There are many variables to if you should use it and or when and or what benefits you get for using it.
I use Mobil 1 synthetic because I have tons of it and also a very big fan of AMSOIL the Original Synthetic Inventor and in my opinion the best.
If your car has never had synthetic in it what are the miles and the engine size and year model of your car?
How many miles is this car used on average a year?
Are you willing to spend 45+ for a oil change versus 20+?
Synthetic is better for the long life of a car! Added gas mileage is a plus, and some added Hp is also a possible advantage but not always seen.
DollsHubby

[Suek]

Thanks. I have a 2008 Avenger 4 cylinder. I don't don't drive it long distances,Just locally. Maybe just 1,000 for vacation. We do our own oil changes so that'll be no problem. If I recall, Something like my old Dodge Daytona proably shouldn't have synthetic. I could be wrong but I thought I remember about old oil seals and leaking.

[DollsHubby]

If your daytona had many many miles then yes it may have been to good for it.
Yes by all means use the synthetic in your car you will most likely notice a little more get up and go and as well as a long time before you have to change it again. Better gas Mileage will be also possible here. I have changed all the lube fluids in my cars to synthetic. Now as for a brand that is your choice you can not go wrong with Mobil 1, please do not fall for the purple dye synthetic it is just a gimick ask any other oil maker, this is a personal opinion and one looked at from other oil maker and tests stand points over many years. I remember when they came out, LOL. AMSOIL is number "1", in my eyes at least they are the ones that invented the stuff, but again not always available for easy pick up. Castrol is great as well! Do not bother with blends, waste of money if you ask me.
You can change the regular sythetic oil at 5000 as most shops do I chose to still change it out at 3000 to no more then 4000, but I would trust them for much more if needed. This is your choice. If you have a engine rebuilt and want to use sythetic and we are talking about a older engine say like your daytona you would have run regular oil through it for about the first 5,000 to 10,000 before switching this helps the older motors rings set in well.
You will love the advantage to synthetic over regular and your car will last longer when it come to the engine anyways, with more power in the later years when mileage is getting up there. This is just my opinion oil brands other then AMSOIL being the first, but also from many years of using it and going to automotive mechanic conventions and such on its benefits.
DollsHubby

[Suek]

If your daytona had many many miles then yes it may have been to good for it.
Yes by all means use the synthetic in your car you will most likely notice a little more get up and go and as well as a long time before you have to change it again. Better gas Mileage will be also possible here. I have changed all the lube fluids in my cars to synthetic. Now as for a brand that is your choice you can not go wrong with Mobil 1, please do not fall for the purple dye synthetic it is just a gimick ask any other oil maker, this is a personal opinion and one looked at from other oil maker and tests stand points over many years. I remember when they came out, LOL. AMSOIL is number "1", in my eyes at least they are the ones that invented the stuff, but again not always available for easy pick up. Castrol is great as well! Do not bother with blends, waste of money if you ask me.
You can change the regular sythetic oil at 5000 as most shops do I chose to still change it out at 3000 to no more then 4000, but I would trust them for much more if needed. This is your choice. If you have a engine rebuilt and want to use sythetic and we are talking about a older engine say like your daytona you would have run regular oil through it for about the first 5,000 to 10,000 before switching this helps the older motors rings set in well.
You will love the advantage to synthetic over regular and your car will last longer when it come to the engine anyways, with more power in the later years when mileage is getting up there. This is just my opinion oil brands other then AMSOIL being the first, but also from many years of using it and going to automotive mechanic conventions and such on its benefits.
DollsHubby
It's thinner right? Just checking my memory lol I think my old 89 way up there at 170,000 miles and haven't rebuilt it yet, So that's out the question for sure. I have talking about synthetic to my husband and I will relay the message.I really appreciate your time.

[Gary Gunthner]

Synthetic oil is better and to some extreme its a matter of preference. AMSOIL, REDLINE, TORCO, LUCAS, MOBIL 1, PENNZOIL, CASTROL SYNTEC, etc... There is no difference with the thickness and thinness in relation to synthetic to regular (Petroleum Based oil) its the number that is what you need to keep in mind. If you are using 5w30 regular oil and you change over to synthetic you need to use 5w30 Synthetic keep the same weight. Now because you don't drive many miles you can use time against your oil changes instead miles. As far as seals, synthetic will not hurt them if not it will help them last longer in a new car. As far as in older vehicles with that many miles on it it all depends on the current condition of the engine, do you add oil to it and how often and how much i.e. 1 qt every month, 1qt every 3000 miles or between every oil change? If you are not adding any oil between oil changes on the High Mileage engine you can go to synthetic but it is important that you stay the same weight i.e 10w40, 10w30, 20w50 etc... The reason for that is that your engine when you first use it (when it was new) you have been told to "Break it in" well breaking in consists of the actually loosening up and settling in to the effect of finite grooves being created in the internal parts and that relates to the weight of the oil being used originally. Now with 170k miles those grooves have been well developed with that particular weight of oil, if the maintenance has been maintained. Now if you change the weight and also the type (regular oil to synthetic) you are changing the coefficient of thickness and lubricity in the engine internal parts this can eventually cause problems. That is why the weight # is important.

[Mopar Ernie]

DollsHubby,

I agree 100%. I run Mobil 1 in all my cars and change oil at 5,000 or 5 months.
When the engine was rebuilt in my Avanti, pure oil was used for 300 miles to "break-in" the engine and Mobil 1 was then installed.
:drivingz:

[Suek]

Thanks everyone for your great comments. I appreciate it.

[Crashaholic]

quick question regarding the "stay with the same weight" statement, when going from reg oil to syn oil. Does that apply to older engines only or to new engines as well.
Reason I ask is I live in Alaska and we change oil weights between summer/winter months, obviously due to the fact that heavier oils are thicker and engines wont turn over or lubricate in very cold temps....

[o2man98]

quick question regarding the "stay with the same weight" statement, when going from reg oil to syn oil. Does that apply to older engines only or to new engines as well.
Reason I ask is I live in Alaska and we change oil weights between summer/winter months, obviously due to the fact that heavier oils are thicker and engines wont turn over or lubricate in very cold temps....

What are the weights of the oils you are using in both seasons?

[Crashaholic]

I use 10w30 in summer months and 5w30 in winter for my other vehicles... So, it'll prob be the same for the avenger.

[o2man98]

I use 10w30 in summer months and 5w30 in winter for my other vehicles... So, it'll prob be the same for the avenger.

I would suggest using the 5w-30 all year and make it easier on yourself. It will provide the same protection at running temp but flow better when cold. There is no reason to change oil for the seasons these days.

I would even suggest going with a 0w-30 if you want the best option. I run the 0w-30 year round in any application that needs a Xw-30 oil including my air-cooled V-Twin lawn tractor and Ariens Sno-Thro.

[Gary Gunthner]

quick question regarding the "stay with the same weight" statement, when going from reg oil to syn oil. Does that apply to older engines only or to new engines as well.
Reason I ask is I live in Alaska and we change oil weights between summer/winter months, obviously due to the fact that heavier oils are thicker and engines wont turn over or lubricate in very cold temps....

I apply it to both, from my experience and what I have learned from other people. Being that you are in a colder climate the i.e. 0w20 or 0w30 would be a good choice. Why would use heavier weight oil anyway? Heavier weights are more for racing now in older engines and it seems the trend is now going towards the thinner weights for better flow due to tighter tolerances on engines.

[Crashaholic]

Thanks alot for your thoughts o2. I think I might just do that...
I dont think I've ever seen a 0W-30 engine oil in the stores up here in Alaska.

All lube/Oil service stations in AK that I've ever used offer 5w or 10w as a standard for gas engine oil and 15w/40 is standard in diesels. They will use other weight oils for the oil change, but only if you request it..

[Gary Gunthner]

The reason for that is that Synthetic doesn't break down, all of those Lube/Oil change places need to have business and I bet they don't sell any synthetic oils but do sell petroleum based or 50/50 type. Synthetic oils evolved out of the Airplane industry, Motul is the oldest and Amsoil came next then Redline from what I've read. The argument has been around for a long time.

Here are some other brands to consider; Motul, Redline, Torco, Neo, Lucas, Royale Purple, Mobil 1, Shell, Amsoil, Pure Power and Maxtron

[08Arty]

Just my 2 cents, I have used Castrol synthetic in my Dakota since it turned 60K (40,000 mi) and having just replaced the timing chain at 175K the motor was spotless inside and I have no leaks at all! I am about to change oil on our 08 Avenger R/T (3000K) and will use Mobil 1. If its good enough for Ma Mopar to throw in the Vipers, it will be a good choice for the R/T I believe. Anyone else running Mobil 1 in their Avenger (3.5l)?

[2002 RAM 4 DOOR]

I am putting Quaker state full synthetic 10W30 in our Avenger (3.5) next oil change. I went with Quaker state because it was on sale at Canadian Tire so I stocked up.

[08Arty]

I am putting Quaker state full synthetic 10W30 in our Avenger (3.5) next oil change. I went with Quaker state because it was on sale at Canadian Tire so I stocked up.

I had the QS synthetic in my hand today, just unsure about the product. It has the proper rating that Chrysler recommends whick is ms 6395. I have been using Syntec in my Dak but it doesn't state the req. for the Avenger's 3.5. Can anyone help out? No info on Castrol's site...

[08Arty]

I couldn't determine if Castrol had the correct rating (ms 6395) for my 3.5 so I went with Mobil 1 and a Fram XG-2 filter. First go around with Mobil, the motor seems to like it, the peace of mind that goes along with synthetic is why I will not use anything else in my vehicles. I still have a little clatter on startup, although not as much, the cling factor in synthetic oils gives me a little more comfort on those oiless moments. One note, and perhaps I am just looking for positive results, but our R/T seemed to almost instantly develop better mpg ratings...time will tell if this is the case.

[ECONORAM]

My wife's car has had synthetic in it starting with its first oil change... I used Havoline that time, because I got it for $2/qt at Big Lots. This last time, I went with AMSOIL... I also run a filtermag on both our vehicles.

[08Arty]

Update, since installing the Mobil 1 10/30 and the Fram Synthetic filter, startups seem better, a little quieter and I have noticed fuel economy picking up, however being AWD I expected a gradual improvement as everything broke in.

In simpler terms It just adds piece of mind...