Why Synthetic?

[ken1mod]

Gentlemen,

 

I ran small block and big block chevys in my business for 25 years with essentially zero wear when these high mileage, hard trailer towing engines were torn down, mainly due to coolant hoses failing in Phoenix, Az. I never saw a cylinder ridge, ever.

 

I am running synthetic in both my vehicles now but I am begining to feel silly.

 

Exactly, why do we do it? Why do we spend large amounts of hard earned money on synthetic oils when the traditional products work so very well?

 

Please remove my doubts about my sanity.

 

Ken

[ZZebes]

The syn oils have better additive packages and last much much longer

[firstruck]

lower friction numbers=better fuel economy. better low temp viscousity characteristics

[snoman]

The syn oils have better additive packages and last much much longer

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I would not say that at all because you can basically put same additives in Dino oil. The only really dffiernce is that SYN is based on a more stabilty "base stock/molecule" that resisits break down over extended periods of time and does not require the VI (viscosity improver) that Dino oil does but if you diligently change you oil often and you quaility Dino oil, you engine will last a very long time. I have run engines well past 200K on Dino oil and SYN over the years and they both did well. One clear advantge SYN does have is at extremely lower temps (like minus 20 and colder) or very high temps (it does not break down easily but if you engine oil is gettin hot enough to need SYN, you really need better cooling for engine and oil, not SYN. Same with SYN ATF as thoguh it will take a lot more heat than Dino ATF, the seal in tranny cannot soagain you need better cooling and not better oil. I have found that SYN ATF works better at low temps in snowplow hyd systems and I have been using it in those systems for many years.

[OFF-RD]

Lots of people are switching to all synthetic now because of the slight increase in fuel economy.

[ken1mod]

The cold weather performance is definitely real

[BurbanZ71]

Syn is supposed to help clean the engine as well.

 

Part of the reason that some people will have leaks with on older engine that starts to use Syn. The synthetic doesn't cause a leak, it simply washes away the junk that is preventing the leak from showing up sooner.

 

Or at least, this is what I have been told.

[silveradoHO]

If your going to change your oil at 5000 miles or less anyway, it's probably not worth the extra for synthetic. Whatever extra you get in mileage will be spent in paying for the oil, and the rest of the truck will fall apart before your engine fails if you change the oil that frequently. If you plan on going more than 5000 miles, then it may be worth it.

[firstruck]

If your going to change your oil at 5000 miles or less anyway, it's probably not worth the extra for synthetic. Whatever extra you get in mileage will be spent in paying for the oil, and the rest of the truck will fall apart before your engine fails if you change the oil that frequently. If you plan on going more than 5000 miles, then it may be worth it.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

true, true. I use M1 and change on the OLM indication usually around 6-7k and since i use syn in both trucks they get changed at the same time

[fossil]

mobil 1 5w30..............change every 15,000kms. oil still appears somewhat clean on dipstick.

[MMM]

Ken1mod,

 

I have used both over the years. I really cannot see any difference personally. I used dino in my first couple of trucks, then the next two, I used synthetic. I started putting Mobil 1 in everything I own. I just bought a new truck and I asked myself the same question, "why am I using synthetics? I will sell this truck before it reaches the 100K mark. I know that even the walmart "supertech" oil, if changed at 5K mile or less intervals will carry me this far. So to answer your question, I have decided to use Mobil clean 5000, and change it @ 5000 mile intervals, and no one is going to change my mind on this.

 

 

PS: It will be lucky to get below freezing 2-3 times during the winter where I live, so temperature is not a factor.

[RobDarden]

The only vehicle I put synthetic in is my LS1 powered Camaro because the Owner's manual says so. Otherwise I have used conventional oil in all other vehicles I have ever owned. The oil is alway clean and no engine problems. I think it just depends on your maintenance habits. I change every 5000 miles or less.

[gman697]

I have never used synthetic oils but lets say you crank your truck and go about 2-3 miles down the road to visit a friend. Well your engine hasnt even warmed up enough to dry the condensation in the engine and that condensation is going right into the oil pan. Unless it stops that is it really worth the money?