Changing over to Synthetic Oil (Vehicle)

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bigvin

New member
This may have been covered before,.... and if so, I appologize for
wasting a post on it,....

Back in late December, I was fortunate to find a 2002 Chevy Silverado 4X4
Z71 off Road in GREAT Shape, with only 41,000 miles on it.
It has the 350 in it,....
Looks and Runs brand new,..
I was told by many, that on its next oil change,...
to get it done with synthetic,...(ie: Mobil 1),.. and If I keep burning synthetic
and get the oil changed every 5K,... this baby will last WAY longer than the
regular "mineral" oils,....
It will be about 80 bucks to have it done (Cause I am a Lazy Arse, AND don't have the time to change it myself),....
Anyway,...
What are some of YOU mechanics out there,.... take on this?
All Hype? or A good decision. ??
Everytime ya "google" this stuff,... or "bing" or what ever,....
It always is a horse a piece. UGH!

Almost like politics,.....
:)

Thanks
 
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jeepbob47

New member
I just bought my 16 year old son a 1998 Cadillac DeVille from a neighbor. It has 220,000 miles on the NorthStar V-8 and the ONLY oil he ever used was Mobil 1 so I would do it. The Cadillac dealer uses Mobil 1 in my wifes Escalade ESV.
 
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Skylar

Super Moderator
Staff member
I have often wondered the same thing Vin. I have never used synthetic in any of my cars/trucks. I think changing your oil at regular intervals is what works the best. When we sold our 1995 Neon, it had over 210,000 on it, and I never had a engine related problem with it. My 1997 Ram 1500 I had I bought with 159,000 on it, and when I sold it with 215,000 on it, it also had never had an engine issue. I knew the owner before me always changed the oil like clockwork in it. That always ran mineral oil also.
 
eagle1

eagle1

Well-known member
I switched my 01 silverado over to synthetic Mobil 1 back in 2005. Yeah it cost more but you can get more mileage out of it. So instead of 4 oil changes a year I do 3, so cost isn't as bad as it seems. I just like the fact that you have more protection as it doesn't break down as easily, say if your overheating for some reason or you do a lot of towing.
Is it worth it? If your religious about changing your oil by 3000 miles regular oil is probably fine. I just figure the price of vehicles today it's worth a little extra protection.
 
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anonomoose

New member
I have done a ton of research on synthetic oils, and there is a whole bunch of stuff written about it even research for motorcycles.

Here is a short version of what I have learned.

Detergent oils break down in as little as 500 miles of use. These dino oils also break down much quicker under heavy load or high heat.

Most synthetics protect, and lubricate the major wear points in your motor better with 20,000 miles on it than does dino oils new right out of the bottle.

It costs more but those who have used synthetics run longer on oil changes, and that chevy can go 7500 miles between changes without concern.

I run 10,000 or twice a year on my machine, and tho NOT having any major malfunction on any of my engines is a nice feeling, it, in and of itself, really doesn't prove much as far as I am concerned.

If you are annal about oil changes, and just generally like crawling around under your unit, then go ahead with regular dino oil, as it will probably prove to be almost as good with modern high technology engines.

In the winter when it is really cold or in the summer when it is 100 degrees and tough on engines, it is a comfort knowing that you have the best stuff available to run in that very expensive piece of equipment.

If you ride bikes, especially air cooled machines, there is only one oil to use...and that is synthetic.
 
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uperjim

Member
I am an automotive engineer and have been for 30 years. The OEM's do extensive testing.
There is a reason that high end vehicles come from the factory with Mobil 1. I believe Mustang V-8s, Corvettes , Porsches etc all come from the factory with Mobil 1. I have a 99 Suburban and I use Mobil 1 --I have had 0 engine issues and it uses absolutely no oil in between oil changes. The only negative is that with some older engines you can have some leak and drip issues show up ---as the synthetic will squeak past some seals that the standard oil will not. I will also use it in air cooled engines as a previous post states and I use it in my other vehicles for winter only as I feel the better cold cranking and cold lubrication is worth it. The research seems to show that the sludging and buildup in the valve covers and pan is also greatly reduced.
 
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bigvin

New member
Thank You!

Awesome responses.

I am going with the synthetic (Mobil 1)
Thank you for your honest opinions.
I just figured,... I want the truck around for as long as
possible. This was the 1st winter it had seen snow,.....
So,... If I can make it last 10 or 15years,... I'll be one happy
camper!

I am also going to put it in my lawnmowers (as suggested)
Those REALLY take a beating!

:)
 
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ezra

Well-known member
amsoil makes a 15k oil they say you just have to change there filter every 7500.I use walmart synthetic 17bucks 5qt jug and frame extra guard filters and change every 6k.the shop up the block changes for 14bucks and uses my supplies if I am feeling lazy.bu I usually do all 4 cars trucks in the same day.funny how even we use them with in 300mi between them during 6k changes.
 
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sleddog66

New member
Just be aware that when switching over a vehicle with some miles on it, you can cause some problems. If it had 5000 mi or 10000 mi, I would say it is a good idea. The synthetic can cause some leaks, and sludge dislodging internally, and even oil consumption, if added on a vehical with higher miles. You said 40,000 mi, I would say that is boarderline.
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
great discusssion.

what sleddog commented about was what I am wondering about. I have an 06 jeep commander with a 4.7L that had 20,000 when I bought it, and I switched over the synthetic with 30,000 on it. Now it has about 40,000. And I bought a new altima last year with a 4 banger than I have only run regular oil in so far. It has about 16,000 on it now. I was thinking about switching that over the synthetic as well.

I have heard that there can be issues from switching, and that's what I'm concerned about. If you buy synthetic on sale and change it yourself, the price is about the same per mile (since it lasts longer). But I don't want to mess something up by switching.
 
yamadooed

yamadooed

Active member
I run the supertech 100% synthetic from wally world in the vehicles on a change schedule of 10,000 mi or 1 year coupled with a Wix/Napa filter or motocrapt or OEM Jeep filter when on sale... The big dollar Mobil1 I only run in the sleds only becuz supertech doesn't have a 0-30w... I use this on my BFN vehicles along with used vehicles after I get them with zero issues...
 
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twodeere

Member
A few of the large chain auto part stores run Mobil 1 on sale from time to time. 5 qts oil & Mobil 1 filter for $29.99. I stock up.
 
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catguy

New member
My 99 Pontiac Grand Prix has been on amsoil since I bought it at about 67000 miles. Now its at 207000, runs great, no signs of being near giving up. I change oil at 20-25000 (yes thats right) mile intervals. Uses next to no oil for such a long interval. I've looked into the valve covers using a fancy inspection camera we have at work and looks clean! My commute is about 33 miles one way, about 1/4 city driving and rest highway. Over winter a very slight amount of moisture buildup will show up under the oil fill cap, (looks like choc milkshake) but still less than what most of the cars I see at work have with shorter intervals and are driven mostly short trips. The car has normal oil seepage/leakage that you'd expect from over 200k mile car, mostly from oil pan but really, It doesn't seem possible for those cheesy stamped steel oil pans to seal up fully. I've never so much as had a valve cover off this motor. 3.8v6

Also have amsoil atf in trans. Original trans as well. I've changed that fluid once since the original changeover. All good in that dept as well. Actually I really think that amsoil (or your preference) does just as much and possibly more good in auto trans. Guys that use trucks for pulling report lower operating temps which is much of what kills a trans--heat. Many people note the trans shifting smoother, more mpg, etc.
 
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eao

Active member
As long as the vehicle has been well maintained, and in good mechanical condition, it can be switched to a synthetic lubricant at any mileage. The only time you would observe seal leakage is if the seals are already damaged or showing signs of leakage around them.

Switching from petroleum oil to synthetic in routinely maintained vehicles will not cause clogged oil filters or passageways, regardless of mileage. Sludge, which is caused by poor quality oil and neglected maintenance practices, would have to be present in significant amounts to plug oil filters and passageways. If this excessive amount of sludge is present in an engine, it is just a matter of time before oil filters and passageways clog, regardless of the use of synthetic oil.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that mechanics know better. The best ones are good at wrenching – efficiently and correctly but never had any training in lubrication. There are many myths floating around the internet and coming from mechanic's and they are just that, myths.

PS - I have used nothing but synthetics since 1975 and there are two that are around today that were around back then and I never use Mobil 1, so you can guess at what I use.
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
AmsOil has the By-Pass filter system that my brother put on the car I now own when it was new. This is what you need to go longer distances without changing oil or filters. Read up on it.

I just changed my oil and filter at 26,000, and over that time, I never added a drop, and it was about 1/3 of a quart low, AFTER 26,000 miles.

Oh, and the oil was not BLACK, it was BROWN.
 
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michaeladams

New member
i run 4 quarts of castrol high milage 10/30 with a quart of lucas oil stabilizer every 4000 miles on my vehicles and synthetic yamaha oil for my bike.
 
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eao

Active member
Why contaminate the Castrol with the Lucas, You're adding an additive to an already additive-full oil, more is not necessarily better and could actually be a negative.

Stay away from oil additives, they are a waste of money.


AmsOil has the By-Pass filter system that my brother put on the car I now own when it was new. This is what you need to go longer distances without changing oil or filters. Read up on it.
Click to expand...

A friend and his bud just installed the HD models on their 18 wheelers (cat engines in KW's) in early march and they already have about 10,000 miles on their trucks since, he claims the oil is still looking very good. He hopes to extend his drain intervals out to 50,000 and beyond. They do oil analysis monthly and change base on that.
 
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